Scientist (f_m_x) with a focus on environmental sensing and method/sensor development in catchment hydrology

6 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam - Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ

Research Field

Geosciences

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
Established Researcher (R3)

Country

Germany

Application Deadline

25 Feb 2024 - 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

To be defined

Job Status

Other

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Job description:The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for geosphere research. As a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres we are part of the largest scientific organization in Germany. With approximately 1,500 employees our key mission is to secure a profound understanding of the systems and processes of solid Earth, to develop strategies and options for action in addressing global change and its impacts on a regional level, to understand natural hazards and to minimize associated risks, to ensure the sustainable provision of energy and raw materials for a high-tech society and to evaluate the influence of human activity on system Earth. For section 4.4 Hydrology (department “Geosystems”), we are looking for a:

Reference Number 9066

The Section Hydrology at the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, in collaboration with the University of Bayreuth, is offering a scientist position (75% TV-L 13 German Government scale) for 2.5 years 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 follow 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 four catchments in Germany and Austria. Being part of the research unit provides the unique chance of being embedded in an interdisciplinary and enthusiastic research network and to obtain 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 optimizing and debugging logger programs, power management and developing calibration routines, use of microcontrollers possible)
• Installation and maintenance of monitoring equipment
• Assessment of groundwater inflows through distributed temperature sensing (fiber-optic cables, DTS)
• In-depth data analysis using R, Python or Matlab
• Presentation and publication of scientific results

Your qualifications:

• MSc degree (in exceptional cases also a BSc) in electrical engineering or similar background with interests in environmental sensing, or alternatively strong interests and some proven experience in sensor development with a degree in hydrology, geosciences, environmental sciences, engineering or a closely related field
• We are seeking enthusiastic, curious, self-driven and committed candidates who enjoy working in the field as part of a larger team (regular field campaigns of 5-10 days are to be expected), 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)
• Very good English writing and communication skills
• Some knowledge of or interest in DIY environmental sensing based on Arduinos/ microcontrollers is of advantage
• German is an asset but not essential
• A valid driver’s license (European Cat. B) is required

Start date: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: 2,5 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

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 

Have we piqued your interest?

If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 25th February 2024. Please use our online application form only.

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. Members of the University Bayreuth will be involved in the selection procedure. Your personal data will, of course, be treated confidentially and will be communicated to the involved person exclusively for the purpose of evaluating your professional suitability within the framework of this selection procedure. Once the procedure has been completed, the personal data will also be deleted there in compliance with data protection regulations.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Dr. Theresa Blume either via email at [email protected] or phone +49 (0)331-6264-1512. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.

Requirements
Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://gfz-potsdam.concludis.de/prj/shw/79d37fb2893b428f7ea4ed3b07a84096_0/906…

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam - Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ

Country

Germany

City

Potsdam

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Website

https://gfz-potsdam.concludis.de/prj/shw/79d37fb2893b428f7ea4ed3b07a84096_0/906…

Contact

City

Potsdam

Website

https://www.gfz-potsdam.de/en

Street

Telegrafenberg

Postal Code

14473

E-Mail

[email protected]

Phone

+49 331 288-0

Fax

+49 331 288-1600

STATUS: EXPIRED