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 are looking for a talented doctoral student who will contribute to the critical task of characterising suitable host rocks for a potential final repository in Germany. The candidate will focus on a detailed mineralogical, geochemical, and microstructural investigation to assess the diagenetic signatures within different claystone formations. 

This job opportunity is offered within “TRANSFER – Training and Research Academy for Nuclear Safety and Future Expertise on Geological Repository Systems”, which is coordinated by the GFZ. The program is dedicated to cutting-edge research related to the safe and long-term disposal of high-level radioactive waste and unites leading expertise from five Helmholtz centres and five universities. It features seminars, summer and winter schools, conference presentations, and research stays at partner institutions. The participants will benefit from an excellent scientific environment, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and international networking opportunities. 

Your responsibilities:

• Independent planning and conducting of experiments to determine the mineralogy and geochemical composition of clay-rich samples
• Utilising a range of analytical techniques (e.g. XRD, XRF, ICP-MS, microscopy, SEM, TEM, stable isotope analysis and K-Ar dating) to characterise the claystone composition, fabric development, and diagenetic fingerprints in claystones 
• Publication of research results in international peer-reviewed journals and at conferences
• Working closely with the PhD candidate at the University of Greifswald and the leading researchers
• Collaboration with the Universities and Helmholtz Centres within TRANSFER 

Your qualifications:

• Completed university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in geosciences or environmental chemistry 
• Knowledge in sedimentology, diagenesis, clay mineralogy, fluid- and rock geochemistry
• Basic knowledge of various analytical methods (e.g. XRD, XRF, SEM), including sample preparation, data processing and data evaluation 
• Some experience in the systematic planning and independent execution of experiments in the laboratory
• Willingness to work in interdisciplinary and international teams
• Very good English skills in spoken and written communication, knowledge of some German would be beneficial