Research Scientist (f_m_x) in Data Science and Forest Disturbance Monitoring

European Commission; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 50.000 - 65.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading research center in Germany seeks a researcher for a project on forest disturbance detection using advanced Machine Learning techniques. The role involves developing workflows, collaborating with experts, and contributing to innovative research in Earth observation.

Leistungen

Public service benefits

Extensive training opportunities

Flexible working hours

Support for work-life balance

Qualifikationen

• Experience with large Earth observation datasets.
• Track record in remote sensing and large-area processing.

Aufgaben

• Develop and optimise Data Analysis Workflows for forest disturbance detection.
• Integrate and analyse data from multiple sources.

Kenntnisse

Machine Learning

Data Analysis

Remote Sensing

Data Science

Ausbildung

M.Sc

Ph.D

Tools

Cloud Computing

Sentinel Satellites

Jobbeschreibung

Organisation/Company GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung Research Field Geosciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country Germany Application Deadline 1 Jun 2025 - 21:59 (UTC) Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

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 1.4 Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics (department “Geodesy”), we are looking for a: Reference Number 10400

Are you an innovative researcher eager to advance global monitoring and Earth observation applications? Do you have experience with large Earth observation datasets and integrating them with reference data? Are you enthusiastic about using AI to develop novel Earth Observation tools and products?

If so, we want you on our team! Take a look at our page with news, recent publications, and projects.

This position is part of a project focused on detecting and evaluating forest disturbances using advanced Machine Learning (ML) techniques integrated with physics-based models. You will develop Data Analysis Workflows (DAWs) for monitoring forest disturbances and assessing risks during extreme climate conditions. You will work closely with computer scientists from TU Berlin and remote sensing scientists from HU Berlin to integrate and optimize these workflows, ensuring robust and efficient data processing and analysis. Your research will focus on the development and optimisation DAWs using high-resolution Earth Observation data (Sentinel 1 and 2, GEDI), creation of hybrid models combining ML and physics-based approaches for efficient forest monitoring and forest mortality risks, collaborating with various working groups (remote sensing, data science, climate analysis) within the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) and leveraging extensive expertise and projects within the section to foster an innovative research environment.

Your responsibilities:

• Develop and optimise DAWs for forest disturbance detection and risk assessment
• Integrate and analyse data from multiple sources (Sentinel satellites, GEDI)
• Apply and refine ML techniques (CNNs, RNNs, transformers)
• Evaluate model performance and ensure DAW scalability and efficiency
• Conduct independent and collaborative research in remote sensing and data science
• Design and perform experiments, data analysis, and result interpretation
• Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals
• Present research findings at conferences and seminars
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students
• M.Sc and a Ph.D (or nearly completed for the Post-Doctoral researcher) with a track record in remote sensing, large-area processing, and analysis (including cloud computing, ground/satellite data integration), or a related field
• Vision for how data science and AI can contribute to research
• Experience in large area Earth Observations, cloud computing, time series methods, AI, data science, and uncertainty analysis
• Open mind for collaborative research and connecting different fields
• International scientific profile with the ability to interact with professionals and societal partners

What we offer:

• Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
• 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
• 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: 36 months
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 1st June 2025 . Required documents: CV and letter of motivationPlease 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 Simon Besnard via email. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number [phone].

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.