Postdoc position (f_m_x) in micrometeorology

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 section 1.4 Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics (department “Geodesy”), we are looking for a:

Postdoc position (f_m_x) in micrometeorology

Reference Number 10173

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral candidate for the newly established Collaborative Research Centre “WETSCAPES2.0” funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). WETSCAPES2.0 combines the expertise from the University of Greifswald, the University of Rostock, the IGB Berlin, the GFZ Potsdam, the Ludwig-Maximilians-University München, the MPI for Biogeochemistry Jena and the Humboldt-University Berlin. WETSCAPES2.0 focuses on the functional understanding of rewetted fens, including coastal peatlands, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (northeastern Germany). The rewetting of previously drained and often agriculturally used fens is leading to the development of novel ecosystems that differ from natural peatlands and are largely unexplored. The monitoring, experimental and modelling research in our new Centre will focus on biogeochemical, hydrological and biological processes, with emphasize on water and matter fluxes within and beyond the peat body and their associated microbiological and biological drivers. In addition to site-level studies, the role of rewetted fens in the broader landscape will be investigated.

For more details about the overarching research questions, specific topics, training program and contact persons please visit http://www.uni-greifswald.de/wetscapes2.

At the GFZ, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher in micrometeorology to investigate the spatial patterns of ecosystem-atmosphere energy and carbon fluxes within and beyond peatlands using airborne eddy covariance deployed in a unique setup based on a Wingcopter 198 UAS. A summary of this project (B2) can be found here: https://botanik.uni-greifswald.de/experimentelle-pflanzenoekologie/wetscapes2/our-science/b2

Your responsibilities:

• Lead (design, plan, and execute) UAS-based airborne eddy covariance surveys of energy and carbon fluxes at the Wetscapes2.0 Core Sites in close collaboration with the UAS system engineer and pilot
• Post-process and qa/qc all UAS EC data following Fluxnet/community standards
• Develop original / novel research questions and hypotheses, quantitative analyses, and peer-reviewed publications
• Lead and advance the topic through interdisciplinary collaboration within and beyond the cluster including joint supervision of doctoral researchers

Your qualifications:

• Master`s degree (or equivalent), a Doctoral degree in atmospheric/environmental science, meteorology, physics, geoecology, or related field
• In-depth knowledge of micrometeorological processes and measurements
• Excellent coding and quantitative analytical skills, preferably in R, Matlab, or Python
• Creative & critical thinking and ability to publish shown by a track record of original and innovative research
• Strong motivation and excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and in an integrated team environment
• Fluency in English (written and spoken), German is beneficial but not required

Start date: 01.04.2025
Fixed-term: 45 months
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 6th March 2025 Please use our online application form only. Documents: A cover letter that must be specifically tailored to this position and demonstrate your motivation and expertise, a CV, and contact information for one or two references.

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 Dr. Torsten Sachs 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.