Area of research:
Scientific / postdoctoral posts
Job description:
GFZ is Germany's national centre for solid Earth research. We advance the understanding of dynamic processes to address global challenges, from mitigating the impacts of natural hazards and sustaining our habitat amid global change to responsibly managing georesources. We are part of the Helmholtz Association, the largest German scientific organisation. With around 1,200 employees as well as ca. 500 guest researchers, we contribute to the Helmholtz Research Field Earth and Environment, aligning cutting-edge research with societal relevance and international collaboration. Our work integrates multidisciplinary studies across Earth's system components, leveraging advanced technologies and infrastructure to research solutions and to transfer our knowledge to society. We are doing this according to our vision: “Taking the pulse of our Earth to safeguard a habitable planet”.
To complement the various research foci in the Interface Geochemistry team, we are looking for a: Reference Number 10600
We seek a highly motivated and enthusiastic mineralogist who wants to develop her/his/their skills in a highly interdisciplinary work environment in order to obtain a holistic understanding of mineral-fluid interactions in Earth Surface processes.
The successful candidate will contribute their specialist mineralogical skills in diffraction, spectroscopy and high-resolution imaging to projects aimed at elucidating kinetics and reaction mechanisms of nucleation, growth and transformation of amorphous and crystalline mineral phases in low temperature (< 100 °C) aqueous media. The prime focus will be on in situ experimental approaches that allow us to monitor how changes in inorganic or organic aqueous species affect fundamental solid state mineralogical and geochemical reactions at mineral-water interfaces. The ideal candidate has a well-documented pedigree in experimental (ideally in situ) low temperature mineralogy and crystallography, and preferentially 1-3 years of postdoctoral experience.
She/he/they will join an international and diverse team of researchers led by Prof. Liane G. Benning, who is very committed to fostering a fully inclusive research environment. Non-discrimination and equal treatment are integral parts of our group policy.
Your responsibilities:
* Conduct original research and apply your specialised mineralogical/crystallographic knowledge/skills in diffraction, spectroscopy and imaging to address fundamental questions linked to (bio)mineral nucleation, growth and transformation in low temperature systems
* Develop and apply in situ experimental methods to follow change in aqueous and solid state mineral formation and transformation reactions and evaluate kinetic parameters linked to such reactions
* Publish in international peer-reviewed journals; present research results at scientific meetings
* Development of own research directions complementary to those in the Interface Geochemistry team is strongly encouraged
* Lead and/or considerably contribute to writing proposals for 3rd party funding
* Help with supervision of Master's and PhD students
Your qualifications:
* MSc and PhD degree in mineralogy, crystallography, material sciences or geosciences with specialization in experimental low temperature mineral formation/transformation reactions
* An indispensable requirement for this post is a clearly documented hands-on expertise in acquisition and complex analyses of diffraction/scattering/spectroscopic data related to mineral formation and stability (i.e., XRD, PDF, FTIR, Raman, TGA/DSC, etc)
* Proven experience in mineralogical/crystallographic data modelling is desired
* Excellent publication and 3rd party funding records
* Capacity for interdisciplinary and international teamwork and excellent communication skills
* Experience in the supervision of students
* Proficiency in spoken and written English and German is an asset
What we offer:
* Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
* State-of-the-art equipment
* Public service benefits
* Extensive training opportunities
* Professional career advice offered by our in-house Career-Centre
* Flexible working hours and conditions
* Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work
* Institute day-care centre on site
* Working at the Albert Einstein science park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
* Work place within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus
Start date: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: 2 years (with possibility of extension)
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)”. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications.
Working hours: Full-time (currently 39 h/week); The position is generally suitable for part-time work.
Place of work: Potsdam Have we piqued your interest?If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 17th August 2025. Applications are only accepted if submitted through the online form via the APPLY button below and if they also contain the following documents: 1. Cover letter detailing a point by point description how you fit the qualifications and responsibilities detailed for the post 2. CV, full publication list 3. Contact information and stated relationship for 2-3 potential referees
The GFZ actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. We also promote an inclusive working environment in which everyone can fully develop their own talents. Anyone who has been recognised as severely disabled, will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer.
“Diversity in perspectives” is one of GFZ's core values. As an integral part of supporting diversity at our centre, we actively promote women in science and in leadership positions. We among others do this through our gender equality plan and the cascade model measures which we actively implement to enable sustainable equal opportunities in academic career paths. The GFZ thus committedly strives for gender equality in science, including in leadership positions, and strongly encourages women to apply.
Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 b, Art. 88 GDPR in conjunction with Art. 26 of the Data Protection Act for the State of Brandenburg. After completion of the procedure, application documents will be deleted in compliance with data protection regulations.
In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Prof. Liane G. Benning via E-Mail. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.
This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.
Company
The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges to assure the future of our society. With more than 47.500 people on staff in 18 national Research Centers and an annual budget of more than 6 billion euros, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. The name Helmholtz stands for concerted research, in which networks form the key principle behind inquiring thought and action.
The profile of the Helmholtz Association
The Helmholtz Association performs cutting-edge research which contributes substantially to solving the grand challenges of science, society and industry. To succeed in meeting these responsibilities, Helmholtz concentrates its work in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space and Transport. Within each of these fields, research programs are developed by our scientists and regularly evaluated by renowned international experts. Their evaluation forms the basis for the program-oriented funding that is allocated to Helmholtz research. Within the six research fields, Helmholtz scientists cooperate with each other and with external partners – working across disciplinary, organizational and national borders.
Moreover, Helmholtz specializes in large-scale research infrastructures – from accelerator facilities, earth observation satellites, research ships to supercomputers. They form the basis for scientific advances in tackling global societal challenges. Managing national research infrastructure is part of the Helmholtz Association's mission.
Promoting young academics
Helmholtz scientists, a high-performance infrastructure and modern and efficient research management are the ingredients to the Helmholtz Association‘s success and global impact.
Promoting young researchers is a major priority for the Helmholtz Association. Its qualification schemes for young researchers are geared mainly towards PhD students, postdocs and young managers. The Helmholtz Association has set high standards for its talent management. Its strategy begins with targeted recruitment of highly qualified staff at all levels, followed by comprehensive support aimed at further developing their potential. Ensuring equal opportunities is an essential element in all talent management activities undertaken by the Helmholtz Association.
The Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Research Schools at almost all Helmholtz Centers provide doctoral students with the general and specific skills and training they need, as well as ample opportunity to network. The period following a doctorate is decisive in determining the direction and success of a scientific career. For this reason, we established Career Development Centers for postdoctoral researchers in the Helmholtz Centers. This equips young researchers with the skills they need to go on to head a Helmholtz Investigator Group, for example. As an Investigator Group leader, junior scientists can independently set up their own group to conduct research in their specialist field and acquire management skills.
Within its talent management strategy, the Helmholtz Association pays special attention to the increased recruitment of talented female scientists both from Germany and abroad. To this end, there are currently two funding programs supporting this policy: and Helmholtz Distinguished Professorship – Funding for the recruitment of leading international female scientists (W3) .
The increasing complexity of the content, structures and framework conditions of scientific work today requires researchers to organize their projects, their employees and, of course, themselves in a highly professional and effective way. In response to these demands, we have set up the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to provide leaders in science with professional management training. Furthermore, the Helmholtz network provides a platform for the alumni of the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to come together and share their experiences of leadership, career development and lifelong learning.
All of this combined makes the 18 Research Centers of the Helmholtz Association a highly attractive environment for talented researchers from all over the world.
Company info
Telephone
0049-30-206329-0
Location
Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
Berlin
Berlin
10178
Germany