Postdoctoral researcher (f_m_x) for paleomagnetism on sediment cores

Organisation/Company GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung Research Field Geosciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country Germany Application Deadline 15 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 2.3 Geomagnetism (department 2 “Geophysics”), we are looking for a: Reference Number 10440

The position is part of the international ERC Synergy project GERACLE to investigate the atmospheric and climatic effects of geomagnetic field reversals and excursions. The GFZ contribution to the project focuses on providing global data-based reconstructions of past reversals and excursions. The postdoctoral researcher will work together with two PhD students on measuring paleomagnetic sediment records from several locations worldwide. This includes taking samples from sediment cores available from national and international archives, conducting state-of-the-art paleo- and rock magnetic experiments in the GFZ laboratory for Earth Magnetism in Time and Space, assessing the reliability of the magnetic signals and age-depth models for the cores and interpreting the determined field variations within the global context in collaboration with the entire project group.

Your responsibilities:

• Identifying the most suitable available sediment cores in national and international archives and from our collaborating partners
• Sampling the selected sediment core material
• Conducting paleo- and rock-magnetic experiments in the laboratory
• Evaluating and interpreting the results together with the project team
• Assessing and improving age-depth models for the records
• Publishing the results in international journals and at conferences
• Guiding of PhD students in laboratory methods
• Collaborating with the local team and with international partners
• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) and a PhD in Geosciences, Geophysics, Geology or a closely related field
• Expertise in paleo- and rock-magnetic laboratory experiments on sediments and their interpretation
• Knowledge of geomagnetic field evolution (secular variation, reversals, excursions)
• Experience in international collaboration
• Fluent in English (written and spoken)
• Demonstrated ability to publish in international journals and present at conferences
• Strong motivation to co-supervise PhD students and guide them on laboratory work (experience of supervising students is an advantage)

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: 1st September 2025
Fixed-term: 3 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 15th 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 Monika Korte 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.

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.