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”.

We offer a position for scientists focusing on geothermal field development and the integrated management of subsurface resources in urban environments. The position includes the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree (Dr.-Ing. / Dr. rer. nat.). The research approach aims to provide scientific support for geothermal field development in the city of Potsdam. Core questions involve risk assessment of multi-stage operational processes in larger geothermal fields.

The research examines coupled thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-chemical (THMC) processes in shallow to medium-depth geothermal systems, with an emphasis on the complex, multi-scale characterisation and simulation of THMC interactions in reservoir structures used simultaneously for geothermal production, heat storage, and drinking water extraction. A component of the role is to provide scientific support to our industrial partner, the Potsdam municipal utility (EWP), during the development of the geothermal site.

Your responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary technical contact at GFZ for the development of the geothermal field in Potsdam and provide scientific advice to the Potsdam municipal utility (EWP) during all project phases
• Coordinate GFZ’s scientific contributions and internal project activities
• Analyse geological, mineralogical, sedimentological, and petrophysical data, including related laboratory work
• Assess well integrity using scientific methods
• Further develop a comprehensive geological-petrophysical model of Potsdam’s subsurface by integrating drilling and monitoring data
• Design and evaluate strategies for subsurface development, including risk assessments for geothermal energy production, heat storage, and drinking water protection
• Provide scientific support for reservoir engineering, drilling technology, energy extraction, and grid integration
• Prepare and/or contribute to expert reports and evaluations for the project
• Publish research findings in international scientific journals and present them at conferences
• Participate in project-related meetings (including at the request of EWP)
• Prepare accompanying third-party funding applications
• Collaborate with national and international partners

Your qualifications:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Geothermal Energy, Drilling Engineering, Mining, Petroleum Engineering, or a closely related field
• Solid knowledge of drilling technology, subsurface characterisation, and numerical modelling
• Basic knowledge of well construction, drilling operations, and field development planning
• Experience with numerical modelling tools or data analysis software
• Ability and interest in working in an interdisciplinary environment and coordinating technical areas
• Very good command of English
• Excellent command of German
• Experience in field operations or well planning