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”.
PhD Candidate (f_m_x) in the "Antarctic Research"
Reference Number 10727
We offer a position for the research project 'Advancing the understanding of glacial isostatic adjustment in Antarctica' (ANT-GIA) as part of the German Research Foundation's priority programme 'Antarctic Research'. The research project will be realised together with the Technical University Dresden. Thus, you will closely cooperate with the PhD student at TU Dresden to link the modelling of glacial-isostatic adjustment (GIA) with the interpretation of geodetic GNSS measurements. You will focus your work on the numerical modelling of the GIA process and elaborate on constraints regarding geological and glacial-geomorphological findings for the reconstruction of ice-load history in Antarctic regions as well as the geodynamic state of the Earth's structure below Antarctica. Due to the embedding of this project in the priority program “Antarctic Research”, you will cooperate closely with further national and international partners. The main goal of the project is to decisively improve the understanding of GIA-driven processes and, consequently, the GIA modelling in Antarctica.
Your responsibilities:
- Analysis, processing and evaluation of different glaciation histories with a focus on the mid Holocene and the Little Ice Age
- Numerical GIA-modelling with advanced 3D codes, evaluation and validation of results in collaboration with TU Dresden
- Discussion and improvement of viscoelastic mantle structures in view of geodynamic constraints
- Application and refinement of GIA models for specific regions of Antarctica
- Documentation of process chains, presentation of results at conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals
Your qualifications:
- University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in geophysics or a related subject (physics, mathematics or geosciences)
- Experience in numerical modelling of geodynamic processes and/or continuum mechanics
- It would be an asset to have command expertise in modelling the interlink between the solid Earth and ice sheets
- Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to creatively apply multidisciplinary knowledge
- Excellent command of scripting and programming languages like shell, Python or C++, knowledge of FORTRAN would be beneficial
- Strong social skills and excellent communication skills
- Proficiency in English (level B2 to C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
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
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: Part-time 75% (currently 29.25 h/week)
Place of work: Potsdam
Have we piqued your interest?
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.
The selection process will involve a committee including external advisors who will receive the applications. Your personal data will, of course, be treated confidentially and will be communicated to the involved person exclusively for the purpose of evaluating your professional suitability within the framework of this selection procedure. Once the procedure has been completed, the personal data will also be deleted there in compliance with data protection regulations.
