Nestled in a modern city surrounded by nature and with an exceptional standard of living, Leibniz University Hannover offers excellent working conditions in a vibrant scientific community.
The Ludwig-Franzius-Institute for Hydraulic, Estuarine and Coastal Engineering (LuFI) is recognized both nationally and internationally as a prime address for scientific challenges in the fields of ecohydraulics, coastal protection, flood and risk management, environmental impacts of hydraulic engineering, marine engineering, offshore renewable energy, and exposure and vulnerability research in coastal zones.
The Ludwig-Franzius-Institute for Hydraulic, Estuarine and Coastal Engineering invites applications for the following position to be filled at the earliest possible date: Research Assistant in Fluid-Structure-Sediment Interaction at Offshore Wind Structures (salary scale 13 TV-L, 100 %)
The position is initially limited until December 31, 2028, with the possibility of extension.
Your Position at a Glance
With the massive expansion of offshore wind energy, a unique power plant for renewable energies is being created in the North Sea. This transformation requires a leap toward "offshore megastructures," for which traditional design approaches are reaching their limits. A critical factor is scour development, which describes the localized erosion of sediment around the foundation structure of offshore wind turbines. Current, often empirical, prediction approaches fail to account for the dynamic interactions of hydraulic, geotechnical, and structural-mechanical influences on scour. Within the Collaborative Research Centre SFB 1463 "Offshore Megastructures," we are moving beyond purely hydraulic explanations for scour. We investigate scour development as a complex interplay at the interface of coastal engineering, geotechnics, and structural dynamics. The goal is to understand the influence of excess pore water pressure, soil liquefaction, and structural excitation on morphodynamics.
As part of this position, laboratory experiments on scour development at offshore wind turbines are to be planned, coordinated, performed, and evaluated. These experiments will be conducted at various model scales. You will investigate how pore water pressure in the soil and vibrations of the structure influence erosion processes. By incorporating these dynamic interactions, the prediction of scour processes will be improved, the design of scour protection systems optimized, and the potential risks of foundation structure failure more accurately assessed. In close coordination with partners from geotechnics, the temporal change of soil properties and their feedback on scour protection will be described. Project results are to be discussed with partners, published in scientific journals, and presented at international conferences. The motivation to complete a doctorate (PhD) is expected and will be supported both in content and form by the institute’s management.
Who are we looking for?
The prerequisite for employment is a completed university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the research field outlined above. This applies, for example, to candidates with a degree in Civil Engineering (specializing in coastal engineering or soil mechanics), Oceanography, Marine Geosciences, or a comparable program with content related to hydro- and sediment dynamics. Very good written and spoken English skills as well as excellent communication and teamwork skills are expected. Good knowledge of Matlab, Python, or comparable programming languages is required. Practical experience in conducting hydraulic laboratory experiments and using laboratory measurement technology is an advantage.
Equal opportunities and diversity are core values at Leibniz University Hannover. Our goal is to tap into individual potential and open up possibilities. We therefore welcome applications from anyone interested in the position, irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or ideology, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.
We strive towards a balanced and diverse workforce and a reduction in under-representation in accordance with the Lower Saxony Equal Rights Act (Niedersächsisches Gleichberechtigungsgesetz – NGG). We therefore also welcome applications from women for the above-mentioned position. Preference will be given to equally-qualified candidates with disabilities.
Why join us?
The unique large-scale research infrastructures of LuFI and the overarching Coastal Research Centre (FZK) provide world-class research conditions. These include globally unique experimental facilities (wave flumes, wave basins, current flumes, etc.) that enable the investigation of highly complex coastal research tasks. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team with a solid track record and experience in scour research.
With more than 5.000 employees, Leibniz University Hannover is one of the largest and most attractive employers in the Hannover region. We offer a vibrant interdisciplinary and international working environment, and promote personal and professional development ranging from subject-related skills to leadership and languages.
As a family-friendly university, working hours can be organised according to various flexible models. Part-time employment as well as remote work (mobile work, work from home) can therefore be arranged upon request. We support employees with balancing work and family life, through services such as back-up childcare, childcare during school holidays, and parent-child offices, as well as providing individual advice regarding family responsibilities and caring for dependants.
To promote health and well-being among employees, we offer an extensive sports programme with over 100 different sports, as well as a fitness centre with a sauna and climbing space. Health management measures, such as courses on stress management, good nutrition and relaxation, aim to ensure a healthy workplace.
Further information
For further information, please contact Dr.-Ing. Alexander Schendel (phone: +49 511 762-9231, email: schendel@lufi.uni-hannover.de).
Please send your application documents including a cover letter, CV, copies of certificates, description of relevant activities and experience, and references by March 10, 2026, stating the keyword "SFB1463 02/2026" in electronic form to
Email: schendel@lufi.uni-hannover.de
or alternatively by post to:
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover
Ludwig-Franzius-Institut für Wasserbau, Ästuar- und Küsteningenieurwesen
z. Hd. Herr Alexander Schendel
Nienburger Str. 4, 30167 Hannover
Information on the collection of personal data according to article 13 GDPR can be found at: https://www.uni-hannover.de/en/datenschutzhinweis-bewerbungen/
