Postdoctoral researcher (f_m_x) – Reactive Transport Modelling of Sediment Hosted Base Metal...

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

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 1,300 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. As a partner in Geo.X, the GFZ has access to an excellent network of other geoscience institutions in Potsdam and Berlin. This largest regional concentration of geoscientific competence in Europe offers first-class cooperation and development opportunities.For section 3.1 "Inorganic and Isotope Geochemistry", we are looking for a:

New sources of strategic metals such as copper and zinc are required to facilitate the energy transition. Some of the highest value base metal resources are hosted by fine-grained siliciclastic (± carbonate) rocks. Many genetic models for these deposits suggest that ore stage sulfide minerals form via mineral replacement reactions, which requires the movement of low temperature (< 300 °C) fluids through fine-grained siliciclastic host rocks. The pore space in these units is complex, due to a combination of depositional and diagenetic processes. In sediment hosted mineral systems, we need to fully characterize pore scale mineralogical processes to understand how non-linear feedbacks result in mass fluxes that are capable of producing ore grade mineralization. In this project we will seek to simulate key processes with input data from field and lab-based projects on Zn and Cu deposits in Australia, Canada and Germany.

This project will be a joint initiative of GFZ’s Section 3.1 ”Inorganic and Isotope Geochemistry“ (Prof. Dr. S. Gleeson, Dr. Joe Magnall) and Section 3.4 “Fluid Systems Modelling” (Prof. Dr. Michael Kühn). It will contribute to the Helmholtz Association’s program oriented funding scheme under Topic 8 “Georesources for the Energy Transition and a High-Tech Society”.

• Computing and quantifying the geochemical evolution of model scenarios and comparison to key sites as well as benchmarking with laboratory experiments
• To interact with other members of the Sections 3.1 and 3.4 and the Topic 8 community at group meetings, workshops and in other informal ways
• Presentation of results at scientific meetings
• Publishing high quality papers in peer-reviewed journals

• Master`s degree (or equivalent) and a PhD in Geochemistry, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Mathematics, Engineering or in Earth Sciences
• Experience with the application of geochemical reactions in computer simulations
• Knowledge of theoretical principles in the field of fluid systems modelling
• Programming skills in the context of process simulation e.g. in Python
• Overview of existing reactive transport or reactor technologies and technical processes
• Proven ability to work in a collaborative and multi-disciplinary environment
• Creativity and critical thinking skills and the ability to publish, as demonstrated by a record of original and innovative publications
• Capacity for international teamwork, and excellent communication skills
• Proficiency in spoken and written English

Start date: As soon as possible
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

• 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

If so, we look forward to receiving your application by

. 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.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Dr. Joseph Magnall either via email at

or phone +49 (0)331-288 2853. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact Ms Buge under +49 (0)331-288-28787.

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.