The Helmholtz-EOS PhD Program
 

Networking of Helmholtz centers is supported by a common educational program. Therefore Helmholtz-EOS established a specific PhD Program within its research topics "Ice and Ocean", "Disaster Management" and "Processes of the Land Surface". End of 2004 twelve PhD positions were offered at AWI, GKSS, DLR and GFZ. Beginning of 2005 the positions are filled with international scientists. Supervision of the PhD candidates on the Helmholtz EOS side is with the leaders of the topics.

April 25, 2005 the Kick-Off meeting was held in Berlin, at which the doctorate candidates presented their PhD theses. Participants at the meeting were among others the speaker and directors of the partner centers AWI, GKSS, DLR and GFZ as well as delegates of the Helmholtz Association.

Topic 1 "Ice and Ocean"
Research topic: Sea Level Changes - Causes and Consequences
Lead: Prof. Lemke, AWI

One of the most important indicators of global climate change are changes in sea level and their weighty influences on environment and society. As causes are envisaged the melting of glaciers and sea ice as well as the warming of the oceans.
The PhD program focuses on the local and global trends of sea level changes. To achieve a better understanding of their causes the effects of gravitation and warming will be investigated. The research network will observe and analyse the changes within the North Sea and the Baltic Sea systems. From satellite data indicators can be derived and scenarios developed for the future behaviour of these systems.

  The candidates and their theses

Topic 2 "Disaster Management"
Research topic: Megacities and Natural Disasters
Lead: Dr. Merz, GFZ

The United Nations expect that in 2025 60 percent of the world population will live in cities. Megacities of more than 10 million inhabitants are making a major contribution to this number. These cities are more and more vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes and floods.
The PhD program is focusing on identification and quantification of risks that can lead to natural disasters for megacities, as well as on the monitoring of changes. The work will contribute scientific expertise for the information systems used by urban planners and disaster management teams.

  The candidates and their theses

Topic 3 "Processes of the Land Surface":
Research topic: Vegetation as Resource and Climate Factor
Lead: Prof. Dech, DLR

Intensive farming increasingly causes erosion, loss of soil and desertification over large areas. Losses in biological diversity and changes to the exchange processes between the land surface and the atmospere are recognizeable. Important contributions to the management of the vegetation system and to the support of effective land use are scientific investigations of the terrestrial carbon cycle as climate factor. Remote sensing methods based on data from satellite and aircraft-born sensors, ecosystem models and material flow models as well as in-situ data and other geo data are to be applied.

  The candidates and their theses

   Topic 4 "Atmospheric Water Cycle"
Research topic: tbd
Lead: Prof. Kottmeier, FZK

tbd

  The candidates and their theses