Research Scientist (f_m_x) in micrometeorology

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 60.000 - 80.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading scientific research organization in Germany seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to participate in the IM4CA project, focusing on methane emissions from (Sub)Arctic ecosystems. You will design and execute airborne eddy covariance surveys, contribute to data analysis, and lead research questions. Ideal candidates hold a Master's degree with strong coding skills in R, Matlab, or Python. This full-time position offers a dynamic international environment, extensive training opportunities, and flexible working conditions.

Leistungen

Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic research environment

State-of-the-art equipment

Public service benefits

Extensive training opportunities

Flexible working hours

Support with work-life balance

Qualifikationen

• Master's degree in relevant field required.
• Strong coding and analytical skills with experience in R, Matlab or Python.
• Knowledge of micrometeorological processes essential.
• Evidence of original research and publication needed.

Aufgaben

• Contribute to data quality and uncertainty characterisation.
• Lead UAS-based airborne eddy covariance field surveys.
• Post-process and QA/QC UAS EC data.
• Develop original research questions and hypotheses.
• Collaborate within the Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics Section.

Kenntnisse

Excellent coding skills

Quantitative analytical skills

Creative thinking

Communication skills

Fluency in English

Ausbildung

Master's degree in physics, atmospheric/environmental science, or related field

Tools

R

Matlab

Python

Jobbeschreibung

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”.

IM4CA project:

We are seeking a highly motivated scientist for the EU‑funded collaborative project “Investigating Methane for Climate Action (IM4CA)”. IM4CA unites the expertise of 27 European partners to enhance the quantification and understanding of natural and anthropogenic methane emissions and sinks, providing the EU with measurements and modelling capacity to assess its progress towards the 30% emission reduction target of the Global Methane Pledge. Your focus will be on exploring and understanding climate feedbacks on natural methane sources and sinks in (Sub)Arctic ecosystems using an innovative UAS‑based eddy covariance set‑up. In close collaboration with another postdoctoral researcher working with this system, you will contribute to the full system characterisation, developing the processing pipeline, and linking airborne EC measurements to surface characteristics derived from airborne hyperspectral and LiDAR remote sensing.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to a comprehensive data quality and uncertainty characterisation of the system
• Lead (design, plan, and execute) UAS‑based airborne eddy covariance field surveys of carbon fluxes at subarctic sites in northern Finland, Norway, and Sweden
• Post‑process and QA/QC all UAS EC data following Fluxnet/community standards
• Develop original/novel research questions and hypotheses, quantitative analyses, and peer‑reviewed publications
• Lead and advance the research topic through close collaboration within and beyond GFZ’s Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics Section

Qualifications:

• A Master's degree in physics, atmospheric/environmental science, meteorology, geoecology, or related field
• Excellent coding and quantitative analytical skills, preferably in R, Matlab, or Python
• In‑depth knowledge of micrometeorological processes and measurements
• Creative & critical thinking, and the ability to publish shown by a track record of original and innovative research
• Strong motivation and excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and in an integrated team environment
• Fluency in English (written and spoken)

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: 31st December 2028

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

Required documents: A letter of motivation that must be specifically tailored to this position and demonstrate your motivation and expertise, a CV, and contact information for one or two references. Please use our online application form only.

Application deadline: 18th January 2026

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.

If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331‑6264‑28787. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331‑6264‑28787.