Deutsches Helmholtz GeoForschungs-Zentrum
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 in line with our vision: “Taking the pulse of our Earth to safeguard a habitable planet”.
For section 4.4. Hydrology (department “Geosystems”), we are looking for a:
Scientist (f_m_x) - Environmental sensing and method/sensor development in catchment hydrology
Reference Number 11399
The Section Hydrology at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, in collaboration with the University of Bayreuth, is offering a scientist position within the DFG-funded Research Unit “Fast and invisible: Conquering Subsurface Stormflow (SSF) through an Interdisciplinary Multi-Site Approach”.
Research will focus specifically on investigating hillslope-riparian zone-stream connectivity at the reach to catchment scale. A novel experimental design is used to identify hillslope SSF and to track its physical and chemical signatures during passage through the riparian zone and along the stream channel network based on hydrometric and tracer-hydrological measurements. Experimental work will be conducted in three catchments in Germany. Being part of the research unit provides a unique chance of being embedded in an interdisciplinary and enthusiastic research network and to gain insights into a diverse range of methodological approaches.
Your responsibilities:
- Tracer experiments in the stream, with a focus on the development of a novel monitoring system (this will include optimising and debugging logger programs, wireless data transfer, power management and developing calibration routines; use of microcontrollers possible)
- Development of signal processing routines for high-frequency measurements
- Installation, optimisation and maintenance of monitoring equipment
- Assessment of groundwater inflows through distributed temperature sensing (fibre-optic cables, DTS, thermal infrared imagery)
- In-depth data analysis using R, Python or Matlab
- Presentation and publication of scientific results
About You:
Essential Qualifications:
- MSc degree (in exceptional cases also a BSc) in electrical engineering or similar background with interests in environmental sensing, or strong interests and some proven experience in sensor use and development with a degree in hydrology, geosciences, geophysics, environmental sciences, engineering or a closely related field
- You are enthusiastic, curious, self-driven and committed, and you enjoy working in the field as part of a larger team (regular field campaigns of 5-10 days are to be expected). You are willing to handle responsibility and also enjoy programming as well as interacting with sensor hardware
- Some experience in environmental field work, awareness of the challenges involved
- Excellent quantitative skills (programming and data analysis, data management)
- Very good English writing and communication skills
- A valid driver’s license (European Cat. B) is required
Desirable Qualifications:
- Some knowledge of or interest in DIY environmental sensing based on Arduinos/microcontrollers is an advantage
- German is an asset but not essential
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
- 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: 18 months
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund ”. 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
Apply
Have we piqued your interest?
If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 2nd August 2026. Please use our online application form only.
Required documents: Motivation letter, CV including names and contact details of two references, certificates/grades
Important Technical Note: Currently, email addresses associated with domains such as @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, or @live.de may experience occasional delays or restrictions in receiving messages. To ensure smooth communication during the application process, we recommend using an alternative email address and providing an additional contact method (e.g., a phone number).
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. If you have any 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.
Data protection information for applicants
In case of any further queries regarding the field of activity, please contact Dr. Theresa Blume via email. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.
www.gfz.de
