Academic Research

The Berlin Tegel Airport was closed for good in October 2020. In the period 2021-2024, the Geography Department of HU Berlin conducts pedological and sedimentological fieldwork on behalf of the Berlin Senate Department for the Environment, Urban Mobility, Consumer Protection and Climate Action in order to assess the current state of the anthropogenic and near-natural soils of the former inner-city airfield. These research data will help to evaluate soil ecosystem functions (e.g. the ability of groundwater recharge for freshwater supply) as well as potential environmental risks for future development and land use change of the airfield. Furthermore, the impact of anthropogenic geomorphology on soil genesis will be assessed.

Advanced undergraduate students (from third year)
Master's students
Ph.D. students

Applicants for internships should have basic knowledge and/or expertise in the following disciplines: pedology, soil description and mapping techniques (GIS), and soil physical and chemical laboratory experiments. The ability to conduct fieldwork under potentially harsh weather conditions is mandatory. Further interest in geotechnics, mineralogy, sedimentology and urban land use is an asset.

As the soil description will be conducted according to the German soil description guideline, German language skills (A or B level) would be beneficial.