Scientific researcher (PhD) position

Friedrich Schiller University Jena • Part-time • Jena, TH, DE • 4d ago

Job advertisement

Vacancy ID: 311/2025
Closing date: 2025-12-28

The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a dynamic and innovation-driven university centrally located in Germany. With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. Its scientific excellence is reflected in the profile areas Light – Life – Liberty, which provide pioneering insights and sustainable solutions for the society of tomorrow. Through close collaborations with leading research institutions, innovative companies, and renowned cultural organizations, it advances interdisciplinary developments. With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, it defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation.

The Institute of Geosciences, chair of Applied Geology seeks subject to final approval a

Scientific researcher (PhD) position

for a duration of three years as a part-time position (75%, 30 hours per week) starting on the 1. March 2026.

The position in within the project TRANSFER (Training and Research Academy for Nuclear Safety and Future Expertise on Geological Repository Systems), which is jointly funded by the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (BGE). The consortium brings together five Helmholtz Centres and five universities, and is coordinated by the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences. Successful candidates within the TRANSFER program will gain a comprehensive perspective on nuclear waste disposal. You will benefit from tailored support, interdisciplinary training, and targeted preparation for careers in academia, industry, or policy and societal consulting.

The research focus in Jena is on the Upscaling of geological heterogeneity at the pore scale using deep Learning (DL) and you will be supervised by Dr. Saeid Sadeghnejad (s.sadeghnejad@uni-jena.de) and Prof. Dr. Thorsten Schäfer (thorsten.schaefer@uni-jena.de)

Your responsibilities:

- Work on an own scientific qualification project (doctorate).
- Develop, coordinate, manage and publish research projects within the field of “Upscaling geological heterogeneity at the pore scale using deep learning”.
- Develop deep learning workflows for super-resolution imaging, heterogeneity upscaling, and property prediction.
- Reconstruct digital twins of rock samples at multiple scales through image processing, scan registration, noise reduction, and AI-based segmentation.
- Acquire, process, and analyse multi-scale X-ray CT datasets to evaluate pore- and core-scale heterogeneity.
- Validate deep learning predictions against laboratory-scale measurements (porosity, permeability, NMR, MICP, Darcy-scale flow tests).
- Perform numerical simulations at the pore and core scale to estimate flow and transport properties.
- Support and contribute to multiscale sample characterization, including XRD, SEM/FIB-SEM, µXRF, BET, MICP, NMR, and geochemical analyses.
- Present results at national and international conferences and contribute to high-impact journal publications.
- Contribute to project organisation, documentation, and reporting in coordination with national partners.
- Support teaching activities of the institute (e.g., exercises, supervision of student assistants, BSc/MSc theses).

Your profile:

- A completed Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Geosciences, Environmental Engineering, Reservoir Engineering, or a closely related field.
- Strong motivation to pursue a doctoral degree in the field of pore-scale modelling, digital rock physics, and deep learning.
- Solid background in at least one of the following areas (multiple desirable):
  - Deep learning / machine learning
  - Numerical simulation of flow and transport at the pore scale
  - Micro X-ray CT imaging
- Strong programming skills, preferably in Python, and experience with scientific computing or working with big data.
- Good understanding of rock heterogeneity, pore-scale processes, or multiscale modelling is desirable.
- Familiarity with geoscientific characterization methods (e.g., XRD, SEM/FIB-SEM, µXRF, BET, MICP, NMR, geochemical analyses) is an advantage.
- Ability to work independently on complex research tasks while collaborating effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and scientific writing skills, with enthusiasm for publishing high-quality research.
- Willingness to participate in international conferences and engage with national project partners.
- Very good English communication skills (written and spoken); German language skills or willingness to learn are beneficial.
- High level of reliability, scientific curiosity, and commitment to completing a PhD in the project’s timeframe.

We offer:

- Participation in diverse experimental and theoretical research projects with a strong Interdisciplinary research at the interface between Geosciences, Environmental Engineering and reservoir engineering.
- Excellent equipment and infrastructure.
- A secure job in the ‘City of Light’ Jena with attractive leisure and recreational offers.
- A family-friendly working environment with a variety of offers for families: University Family Office ‘JUniFamilie’ and flexible childcare (‘JUniKinder).
- Attractive fringe benefits, e.g. capital formation benefits (VL) and an occupational pension (VBL).
- Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) at / up to salary scale 13 — depending on the candidate’s personal qualifications—, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement.
- 30 days of vacation per calendar year plus two days off on December 24 and 31.

The advertised position is (initially) offered as a fixed-term position for a maximum of 3 year(s).

This is a part-time position with 75% of the working hours of a full-time employee (30 hours per week).

Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.

Are you eager to work for us? Then apply by 28.12.2025 using our online form.

For further information for applicants and the information on the collection of personal data, please refer to Data privacy and information for applicants

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