Research Associate (PhD candidate or Postdoc, d/f/m) for landfill carbon and nitrogen dynamics, Division Waste and Resource Management
With nearly 16,000 students and 3,800 employees, Technische Universität Braunschweig is one of the leading technical universities in Germany. It stands for strategic and performance-oriented thinking and action, relevant research, dedicated teaching, and the successful transfer of knowledge and technologies to business and society. We are consistently committed to family friendliness and equal opportunities.
Our research focuses are mobility, engineering for health, metrology, and the city of the future. Strong engineering and natural sciences form our core disciplines. These are closely linked with the economic and social sciences, educational sciences, and humanities.
Our campus is located in one of the most research-intensive regions in Europe. We work successfully with more than 20 research institutions in our neighborhood as well as with our international partner universities.
We are looking for a
Research Associate (PhD candidate or Postdoc, d/f/m) for landfill carbon and nitrogen dynamics, Division Waste and Resource Management
(Pay grade EG 13 TV-L, full-time/part-time, limited to four years)
for the Department of Waste and Resource Management at the Leichtweiß-Institute for Hydraulic Engineering, to start as soon as possible.
Our department is committed to protecting nature and preserving natural resources, and addresses the requirements of modern waste management related to climate change, the energy transition, resource security, and the goal of a sustainable society.
Your tasks
The aim of in-situ aeration of landfills is to reduce methane formation, stabilize the waste body, and accelerate the release of landfills from aftercare. Among other things, the leachate ammonium concentration is a critical parameter. With the iDS-CN project, we are investigating the interdependencies of biologically mediated carbon and nitrogen flows and the physico-chemical behavior of nitrogen species (e.g., sorption) in the waste body.
Your dissertation or postdoctoral research will include:
- Balancing C and N flows at two full-scale landfills under in-situ aeration
- Conducting targeted laboratory experiments at the benchtop scale and with landfill simulation reactors
- Processing and providing data to optimize existing models for long-term prediction of gas formation and concentration of pertinent parameters in the leachate.
Your work will include regular travel to our project partners in the Netherlands, as well as participation in and presentation of results at meetings and professional conferences in English.
Furthermore, you will support the general research and teaching activities of our division.
Your qualifications
- Master of Science or PhD in environmental engineering, civil engineering, geosciences, biology, or another relevant discipline
- Practical experience in experimental research, including the use of quantitative, modern instrumental analysis techniques
- Very good knowledge of German and English
- Enjoyment of teamwork.
Please attach the following to your meaningful CV: A letter of motivation explaining your interest in working in our department and particularly in the iDS-CN project.
We offer
- Work on interesting research topics in the field of waste and resource management in a lively, collegial working group
- Appropriate remuneration up to EG13 TV-L, depending on the transfer of tasks and fulfillment of personal requirements, annual special payment, occupational pension comparable to a company pension in the private sector, 30 days of annual leave
- Flexible working and part-time models and a family-friendly university culture, awarded the “Family-Friendly University” audit since 2007
- A vibrant campus life in an international atmosphere with numerous intercultural offerings and international collaborations
- Special training and sports opportunities.
Additional information
We welcome applicants of all nationalities. We also welcome applications from people with disabilities and will give preference to such applications in cases of equal suitability. Please indicate this in your application and include proof. Furthermore, based on the Lower Saxony Equal Opportunities Act (NGG), we are working towards fulfilling the equal opportunities mandate and are striving to reduce underrepresentation as defined by the NGG in all areas and positions. Therefore, we particularly welcome applications from women.
For the purpose of conducting the application process, we store personal data. By submitting your application, you agree that your data will be electronically stored and processed for application purposes in compliance with data protection regulations. For more information on data protection, please refer to our privacy policy at https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/datenschutzerklaerung-bewerbungen. We do not reimburse application costs.
Questions and answers
Do you have any questions? Prof. Dr. Julia Gebert will be happy to answer them by email (julia.gebert(at)tu-braunschweig.de) or by phone under +49 (0)531 391-3969.
Apply by August 31, 2025!
Please send your application documents as a single PDF file by email to