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 the Talentmanagement team () as part of the Human Resources department we are looking for a:
Career Center Coordinator (f_m_x)
Reference Number 10810
The Career Center actively promotes the professional development of all postdocs at GFZ. We provide support for systematic career planning, offer advice on career-related issues, and promote networking within and outside academia.
We are looking for a dedicated and motivated individual to join our talent management team within the Human Resources department. You can expect a dynamic working environment where innovation, teamwork, and personal development are key priorities.
Your responsibilities:
* Develop and facilitate events, workshops, and trainings on career development topics (e.g., interview skills, professional CVs and LinkedIn profiles, career planning and goal setting, networking and personal branding, navigating the professorship appointment process)
* Conduct structured career coaching sessions
* Analyze the training, coaching, and networking needs of early-career researchers using qualitative and quantitative methods
* Coordinate and facilitate events such as career days and other career-focused activities featuring external speakers
* Identify and engage external speakers on career development within and beyond academia
* Build and maintain the professional alum network of the Career Center
* Coordinate larger career development programs from application to evaluation (e.g., Compass Mentoring Program, LeapIn Job Shadowing Program)
* Contribute to Helmholtz networks on career-related topics
* Create content for the Career Center newsletter and design infographics
* Collaborate with other members of the Talent Management team (e.g., Graduate Program, Recruiting) on joint initiatives
* Occasional work on third-party funding applications
Your qualifications:
* Completed master’s degree in social sciences (e.g., with an emphasis on Work and Organizational Psychology, Adult Education, Human Resource Management, or Business Administration) or natural sciences (e.g., with a focus in geo sciences and additional qualification)
* Additional qualification, e.g., a doctoral degree and/or a coaching/trainer certification
* Proven experience in scientific research or in the academic teaching context
* Experience in providing career advice or career support for early-career researchers
* Experience in conducting qualitative and/or quantitative evaluations
* Strong communication skills with diverse stakeholders (e.g., postdoctoral researchers, principal investigators, group leaders, HR departments)
* Advanced proficiency in German and fluent proficiency in English
* Solid understanding of the German science system, particularly non-university research organizations such as the Helmholtz Association
* Confidence in networking within and beyond the GFZ
* Event management skills
* Proficient use of social media (e.g., LinkedIn)
What we offer:
* Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
* State-of-the-art equipment
* ublic 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: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: 2 years (the option of continued employment in the next funding period is still under review)
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 2nd November 2025 .
Required documents: CV, letter of motivation, grades
Desirable documents: certificates
Please use our online application form only.
Apply
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 Dr. Elena Stasewitsch via email elena.stasewitsch(at)gfz.de. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.
Die Ausschreibung ist auch im Internet unter abrufbar.