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”.
For section 2.2 Geophysical Imaging (department “Geophysics”), we are looking for a: Reference Number 10887
Recent advances in quantum technology have made operational quantum gravimeters possible, surpassing conventional devices in precision and versatility. In this context, the EU-funded EQUIP-G project will deploy a network of Absolute Quantum Gravimeters (AQG) across Europe, forming the first terrestrial segment of a pan-European quantum gravimetry infrastructure. This network will support key priorities like the Green Deal, energy management, and risk mitigation. It aims to democratise access to advanced quantum gravity instruments and build a strong European gravimetry community through rigorous testing and FAIR data management .
In this context, GFZ takes part in one of the selected test-case, the Theistareykir geothermal reservoir (North Iceland). GFZ has been monitoring subsurface mass transfers with a multiparameter network including two superconducting gravity (SG) meters. Due to instrumental drift, SGs cannot precisely detect relatively small gravity changes occurring over time scales of months to years and absolute measurements have been performed to correct for it.
Within Equip-G, the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (FGI), the National Land Survey of Finland (NLS) and GFZ will perform three 3-month campaigns of quantum gravimetry in the geothermal field. In each campaign, the AQG will perform continuous measurements at the SG installation sites, providing (a) absolute gravity reference to correct the drift on the data from the SGs, as well as (b) time-series offering independent insight into the short-term (days to weeks) gravity changes induced by the redistributions of the geothermal masses.
Your responsibilities:
* Contribute to AQG data acquisition and processing for the Iceland test-bed and their validation
* Contribute to the maintenance of the superconducting gravity meters and the geophysical networ k in Iceland during the 2 years of the AQG campaigns
* Integrate the AQG and SG gravity data and other geophysical data in geothermal models
* Potential test of innovative complementary methods for integration in the geothermal models
* Contribute to selected other test cases within Equip-G
* Publication of scientific results and participation in scientific conferences (EGU)
Your qualifications:
* MSc and PhD degree in Physics, Mathematics or Geosciences (Geophysics, Gravimetry, Geodesy, Deformation); Experience in seismology or associated techniques is a plus
* Proven experience in data processing, numerical modelling and inversion
* Experience in coding (Python, Matlab, Fortran, C/C++, bash)
* Excellent publication track record
* Capacity for interdisciplinary, international teamwork and excellent communication skills
* Experience in teaching or collaboration with industry will be considered as a plus
* Experience in the supervision of MSc/PhD students is a plus
* Proficiency in spoken and written English; knowledge of German is a plus
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
* Workplace within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus
Start date: 1st June 2026
Fixed-term: 2 years
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 25th January 2026. Requested documents: CV, letter of motivation and certificates/gradesPlease use our online application form only.
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 Philippe Jousset either via email or phone +49 (0)331-6264-1299. 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