Postdoctoral researcher - Experimental rock deformation (f_m_x)

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”.

For the ERC funded project "RockDeath" (Role of Fluids in rock deformation and the earthquake cycle) in section 4.3 "Geoenergy" (department “Geosystems”), we are looking for a:

Postdoctoral researcher - Experimental rock deformation (f_m_x)

Reference Number 10119

The aim of the project “RockDeath“ is to identify and quantify the coupled mechanical, hydraulic and chemical processes occurring across the lithosphere, from slow creep to rapid earthquake slip, and determine the role played by fluids on deep and shallow seismicity, slow slip, and long-term evolution of plate boundaries.

The postholder will advance part of this research programme by conducting rock deformation experiments aimed to constrain hydro-mechanical properties of rocks and fault zone materials under crustal conditions. The experimental plan includes the use and further development of innovative laboratory and data analysis techniques to determine the coupling between fluid pressure and rock deformation.

Your responsibilities:

• Design and conduct laboratory rock deformation experiments
• Use existing and if necessary develop new tools to analyse the data
• Maintain and if necessary develop laboratory equipment as needed
• Prepare and present findings of research activities to colleagues
• Publish results in peer reviewed journals
• Present scientific and technical results and products at international conferences

Your qualifications:

• Master`s degree (or equivalent) and a PhD (or thesis submitted subject to examination) in Earth Sciences with focus on rock deformation, rock physics or fault mechanics
• Breadth of knowledge in rock physics (e.g., friction laws, fluid flow, fracture mechanics, flow laws)
• Experience in experimental rock physics or rock deformation techniques
• A track record of publication(s) in the peer-reviewed literature in a relevant branch of the physical sciences
• Preferred, but not essential: experience with quantitative data analysis techniques (e.g., inverse methods)

Start date: As soon as possible (latest May 2025)
Fixed-term: 2 Jahre
Salary: Die Stelle ist nach TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost) mit der Entgeltgruppe 13 bewertet. Die Eingruppierung erfolgt nach den tariflichen Bestimmungen und den entsprechenden persönlichen Voraussetzungen.
Working hours: Vollzeit (derzeit 39 h/Woche); Die Stelle ist grundsätzlich teilzeitgeeignet.
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 23rd February 2025. Please use our online application form only. Please upload only the following documents:

• CV
• Cover letter (1 page max.), including the names and contact details of 2 referees

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 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 questions, please contact our Representative Body for Employees with Disabilities at sbv[at]gfz.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.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 Nicolas Brantut 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.