Scientist / postdoctoral researcher (f_m_x) - remote sensing & forest monitoring

Reference Number

Join our international research activities in the field of global forest monitoring and Earth observation as a parental leave replacement.<\/p>

The work will be related to the R&D Component of the Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI). GFOI addresses methodological and technical challenges that interfere with progress in forest and land-use monitoring and subsequent greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting efforts for reporting countries. The primary aim is to foster a community of experts to highlight scientific advancements and emerging technical methods that can enhance the efficiency of forest and land use monitoring systems. The research focuses on tropical forests, Earth Observation-based forest monitoring, REDD+ reporting requirements, AFOLU reporting, and capacity building in tropical partner countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.\u00a0<\/p> \n

Your responsibilities:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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• Development and application of innovative large-scale\/global remote sensing methods for the routine monitoring of forest ecosystems<\/li>\n
• Coordination of projects within the framework of the Global Forest Observation Initiative (GFOI)<\/li>\n
• Analysis, interpretation and visualisation of remote sensing and in-situ data<\/li>\n
• Development of operational products and services on a global scale, with a focus on tropical forest carbon emissions and emission reductions<\/li>\n
• Publication of scientific results in international journals and presentation of research results at national and international conferences, as well as policy forums<\/li>\n
• Participation in the application process for national and international research projects<\/li>\n
• Establishing and maintaining scientific collaborations with national and international partner institutions, including government agencies and international development organisations<\/li>\n
• Professional supervision of students, interns and doctoral candidates<\/li>\n<\/ul>

  About You:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

  Essential Qualifications:\u00a0<\/p>\n

  \n
  • Experience in the assessment of the maturity of novel methods using Earth Observation data, with knowledge of end-user requirements within national forest monitoring systems<\/li>\n
  • A completed Master`s degree (or equivalent) and a doctorate in the field of remote sensing, geosciences, geoinformatics, environmental sciences, data science or comparable disciplines<\/li>\n
  • In-depth knowledge of remote sensing, tropical forest monitoring and geospatial data analysis<\/li>\n
  • Experience in processing and analysing multi-temporal remote sensing datasets and spatial data<\/li>\n
  • Knowledge of carbon accounting, MRV systems and the analysis of emissions and emission reductions from deforestation and forest degradation in tropical forests<\/li>\n
  • Programming skills in R and\/or Python<\/li>\n
  • Experience in scientific work and publishing<\/li>\n
  • Knowledge of project management and experience in the acquisition and management of third-party funding projects<\/li>\n
  • Very good English skills, both spoken and written<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Desirable Qualifications:<\/p>\n

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    • Experience in an international scientific environment, including collaboration with tropical partner countries<\/li>\n
    • In-depth knowledge of REDD+, AFOLU reporting (IPCC guidelines, UNFCCC frameworks) and cooperation with tropical partner countries<\/li>\n
    • Experience with cloud computing and big data technologies<\/li>\n
    • Working knowledge of additional languages relevant for cooperation with partner countries (e.g. Spanish, Portuguese, French)\u00a0<\/li>\n
    • German language skills (intermediate or higher) are an advantage.<\/li>\n
    • Experience representing scientific or technical work in international policy processes (e.g. UNFCCC, GFOI, SilvaCarbon, FAO)<\/li>\n
    • Strong communication and teamwork skills<\/li>\n<\/ul>

      What we offer:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

      \n
      • Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment<\/li>\n
      • State-of-the-art equipment<\/li>\n
      • Public service benefits<\/li>\n
      • Extensive training opportunities<\/li>\n
      • Professional career advice offered by our in-house Career-Centre\u00a0<\/li>\n
      • Flexible working hours and conditions<\/li>\n
      • Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work<\/li>\n
      • Institute day-care centre on site\u00a0<\/li>\n
      • Working at the Albert Einstein Science Park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam<\/li>\n
      • Workplace within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus\u00a0
        <\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>Start date:<\/strong> As soon as possible
        Fixed-term:<\/strong> 16 months \/ parental leave
        Salary:<\/strong> The position is classed as salary group 13 according to \u201cTV\u00f6D Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)\u201d. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications.
        Working hours:<\/strong> Full-time (currently 39 h\/week); The position is generally suitable for part-time work.
        Place of work:<\/strong> Potsdam \n\n

        Have we piqued your interest?<\/strong><\/h4>\nIf so, we look forward to receiving your application by 17th June 2026<\/strong>. Please use our online application form only.\n\nRequired documents: <\/strong>motivation letter, CV, certificates\/grades\n \n\n

        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. If you have any further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer.<\/p>\n

        \u201cDiversity in perspectives\u201d 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,\u00a0which 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.<\/p>\n\n

        Data protection information for applicants<\/p>\n\nIn case of any further queries regarding the field of activity, please contact Dr. Daniela Requena-Suarez via email. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.","validThrough":"2026-06-17T23:59:59+02:00","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum f\u00fcr Geoforschung","sameAs":"http:\/\/www.gfz.de","logo":"https:\/\/gfz.concludis.de\/download\/design\/MTU2OTQyMA==\/GFZ_concludis.jpg"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Potsdam","postalCode":"14473","addressCountry":"DE"}},"employmentType":["FULL_TIME","TEMPORARY"]}