The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for research into the geosphere. With around 1,650 employees, we develop a sound understanding of systems and processes of the solid Earth as well as strategies and options for action to counter global change, understand natural hazards and sustainably secure energy and raw material requirements.

For section 4.5 Subsurface Process Modelling (Department 4 “Geosystems”), we are looking for a:

Postdoctoral Researcher (f_m_x) for Workbench for Digital Geosystems Reference Number 9491

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We are seeking a postdoctoral research scientist to work in the project “WBGEO: Workbench für Digitale Geosysteme” funded within the call „Geosciences for Sustainability” (GEO:N) by the Federal Ministry of Science and Education (BMBF). The main objective of WBGEO is to develop a digital workbench to increase flexibility, transparency, reproducibility of workflows for simulations of geotechnical subsurface operations. The digital workbench will be developed together with the project partners RWTH Aachen University and Fraunhofer Research Institute for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Energy (IEG).

Your responsibilities:

  • Developing of interfaces for the seamless integration of  the different work steps in the simulation chain: 3D geological model, numerical discretization (meshing), dynamic numerical simulation and 4D visualization
  • Abstraction of the developed interfaces to guarantee flexibility and ease of integration among different software packages
  • Implementation of a hierarchical modelling concept to enable across-scale integration and extrapolation of the physics as relevant for subsurface operations
  • Application of the hierarchical modelling concept and the interface to dedicated real case studies
  • Cooperation with the project partners
  • Presentation of the results at internal project meetings, national and international conferences
  • Publication of the results in peer-reviewed journals
  • Assistance in project reports and deliverables

Your qualifications:

  • Master's degree and PhD in Earth, Environmental or Physical Sciences (or in a related field)
  • Advanced expertise in numerical modeling as relevant for thermal hydraulic and mechanical reservoir analysis and complex simulation environments
  • Familiarity with HPC concepts is an asset
  • Familiarity with coding concepts (e.g. basic control and data structures, object-oriented programming, troubleshooting and debugging) for high-level general-purpose (e.g. C++) and interpreted programming language (e.g. Python, Julia)
  • Demonstrated capacity for international teamwork and excellent communication skills
  • Creative and critical thinking and ability to publish original and innovative publications
  • Proficiency in spoken and written English

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 Center
  • 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
  • Workplace within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus
Start date: As soon as possible
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: Full-time (currently 39 h/week); the position is generally suitable for part-time work.
Place of work: Potsdam

Have we piqued your interest?

If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 31st July 2024. Please use our online application form only.

Requirements on the application:

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Academic credentials (mark sheets and degree statements)
  • Summary of the PhD thesis or equivalent
  • Names and contact details of (at least) two referees
  • Letter of motivation: Paragraph delineating your background, interest in the position and career goals

Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy. 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. Anyone who has been recognized 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. If you have any questions, please contact our representative for the severely disabled at sbv[at]gfz-potsdam.de, who will be happy to assist you in the further application process. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer at gba[at]gfz-potsdam.de.

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.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Dr. Mauro Cacace via email at mauro.cacace@gfz-potsdam.de. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 331 6264-28787.

www.gfz-potsdam.de/en