Dirk Scherler

Prof. Dr. Dirk Scherler is a Professor for Cosmogenic Nuclides jointly appointed at the Free University of Berlin and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) in Potsdam. His research focuses on Earth's surface processes, landscape development, and Himalayan glaciers. He leads the research group in the Department of Geosciences within the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, specializing in geomorphology, tectonics, and glaciology using cosmogenic nuclide techniques and remote sensing methodologies.

Dr. Scherler received his Doctorate in Geology from the University of Potsdam in 2010 and completed his Diploma in Geography at Humboldt University of Berlin in 2005. His academic career includes a postdoctoral position at the California Institute of Technology (2012-2014) as an Alexander von Humboldt fellow, followed by another postdoc at the University of Potsdam (2010-2012). From 2014 to 2022, he served as Junior Professor for Cosmogenic Nuclides before being promoted to full Professor in April 2022.

His research interests encompass geomorphology, tectonics, cosmogenic nuclides, glaciology, and remote sensing. Dr. Scherler specializes in understanding the dynamics of Earth's surface processes, particularly focusing on rivers, slopes, and glaciers. His work examines landscape development processes across various spatial and temporal scales, with significant emphasis on Himalayan glaciers where he investigates erosion processes, sediment transport, and climate-glacier interactions using advanced analytical techniques.

Dr. Scherler's extensive publication record demonstrates expertise across geomorphology, glaciology, and tectonics, with research spanning diverse geographical regions including the Himalayas, Swiss Alps, Andes, Albanides, and Chilean Coastal Cordillera. His methodological approach combines field measurements, cosmogenic nuclide dating, remote sensing analysis, and numerical modeling to address fundamental questions about landscape evolution and surface processes.

Dr. Scherler currently leads several significant research projects including 'TopoToolbox 3' (improving terrain analysis software, funded by DFG), 'Dynamics of erosion and vegetation in the Western Mediterranean Region' (funded by Freie Universität Berlin), and 'Glacial and erosional contributions to Late Quaternary uplift of the European Alps' (funded by DFG). His previous projects include the ERC Starting Grant 'Climate sensitivity of glacial landscape dynamics (COLD)' and various DFG-funded research initiatives investigating erosion processes and landscape evolution.

At GFZ Potsdam, Dr. Scherler is affiliated with the Department of Geochemistry (formerly Earth Surface Geochemistry) where he conducts laboratory work focused on cosmogenic nuclide analysis. His research group collaborates extensively with international partners and contributes significantly to advancing our understanding of landscape evolution processes across different geological timescales.