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 student (f_m_x) for paleomagnetic field modelling
Reference Number 10671
The position is part of the ERC Consolidator EXCURSION project to investigate the Brunhes Chron geomagnetic field and geomagnetic excursions. The PhD student will work on analysing the reliability of paleomagnetic records, deriving uncertainty estimates, and building time-dependent models of the paleomagnetic field evolution using a global compilation of paleomagnetic records. These reconstructions will be used to study the effects on the cosmogenic isotopes, meteoric and in situ, production rates. Within the project group, the student will collaborate with researchers who apply data assimilation and machine learning methods to the developed models.
Your responsibilities:
- Analysing a global compilation of paleomagnetic sediment and volcanic records in terms of extracting reliable intensity and directional signals, and preparing the input dataset for the models
- Deriving uncertainty estimates of the paleomagnetic sediment records
- Applying time-dependent modelling codes to the paleomagnetic data
- Interpreting the modelling results in terms of field characteristics
- Estimating the effects on cosmogenic isotope production rates
- Publication of results in international journals and at conferences
- Collaboration with the project team and international collaborators
Your qualifications:
- A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in geosciences, geophysics, geology or a closely related field
- Fluent in English (spoken and written)
- Strong motivation for mathematical inverse methods
- Strong motivation for team collaboration
- Experience with paleomagnetic data and models is an advantage
- Experience in geo- or paleomagnetism is an asset
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: 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: 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.
