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”.
Postdoctoral researcher (f_m_x) - Waves in the Inner-magnetosphere and their Effects on Radiation Belt Electrons
Reference Number 10456
Our section is working on understanding the dynamical evolution of the hazardous space radiation environment and developing tools for the prediction of the adverse effects of the space environment utilizing satellite observations, physics-based numerical models, machine learning, and data assimilation. Our research will help safely design and operate satellites and maintain ground networks. We try to bridge our theoretical studies with high-performance tools that can be used in science, predictions, and applications.
The project "Waves in the lnner-magnetosphere and their Effects on Radiation belt Electrons" (WIRE) is funded by European Research Council Consolidator Grant and will run from 2024 to 2029. This project combines satellite observations and numerical simulations to study the effect of various plasma waves on the dynamic evolution of radiation belt electrons.
Your responsibilities:
The successful candidate will have extensive experience in satellite data processing and numerical simulations. Responsibilities will include a variety of tasks related to numerical simulations and scientific programming. These will include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Developing scientific codes to process satellite data
- Maintaining data and code repositories
- lnvestigate the effect of waves on the effect of radiation belt electrons using existing codes and improve the codes
- Document and test existing codes
- Conducting scientific research in the field of space physics
- Writing manuscripts that will be published in peer-reviewed journals
- Presenting related studies at international and national conferences
- Writing proposals for future projects
Your qualifications:
- A Master's degree (or equivalent) and PhD degree in Space Physics or related natural sciences
- Work experience with IT programming or scientific programming and with Unix operating systems
- Advanced knowledge of Matlab and/or Python or IDL
- Basic knowledge of Fortran and C++
- Experience in analysing satellite data
- Ability to work with large data sets
- Ability to work within a team, excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Attention to detail and organisational skills
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: 2 years (with possibility of extension)
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?
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.
