Student Assistant (f_m_x) in Global Geomonitoring and Gravity Field

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 1.2 Global Geomonitoring and Gravity Field, we are looking for a:

Student Assistant (f_m_x) in Global Geomonitoring and Gravity Field

Reference Number 10179

GFZ is operating a Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) station in Potsdam as part of the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS). The SLR observation technique is one of the most precise space geodetic techniques with continuously improving accuracy and is used for monitoring of Earth rotation parameters, 3-dimensional deformations of the solid Earth, or static and time-varying coefficients of the Earth’s gravity field.

To help increase the productivity, the SLR team is looking for observers. When observations are not possible due to system downtime, weather conditions, etc. the potential candidate shall assist in different tasks to improve the operations of the station (e.g. writing scripts, doing inventories, etc.).

Your responsibilities:

• Regular observations using a GUI in a Linux system for tracking targets from the International Satellite Laser Ranging Service
• Quality check of the observed passes with a subsequent data transfer to the data post-processing system
• Reporting, in the Logbook of the station, the status of the overall system including the different subsystems such as the Allsky camera, laser unit, event timer and others
• Process the acquired observations using the software available at the station
• Attend regular team meetings and provide input according to the experience with the systems: observation and post-processing wise
• Potentially help developing scripts for analysing the quality and status of the system. In case the system is not observing due to weather or technical issues.

Your qualifications:

• Experience with software systems. The candidate shall use different operating systems comfortably (Linux and Windows).
• High degree of commitment and flexibility. The candidate shall accommodate the working time according to weather, system availability or special campaigns/ needs of the station. To help in the organization, the information shall be provided as soon as possible to provide enough margin for an optimal scheduling.
• The candidate should have a background with active observation systems. In particular geodetic ones such as Satellite Laser Ranging, Global Navigation Satellite Systems, etc.
• Knowledge about reference systems and orbital dynamics will be considered positively.
• Enrolment at a German University.

Start date: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: Initially 2 Months, after qualification the contract will be extended (this requires a valid enrollment certificate in full-time study)
Salary: Die monatliche Vergütung erfolgt nach den Richtlinien der TDL (Ost). Zurzeit beträgt der Stundenlohn 13,25 € brutto (ohne Bachelorabschluss) und 13,83 € brutto (mit Bachelorabschluss/FH-Abschluss).
Working hours: 10 h/Woche (ca. 40 h/Monat)
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
• 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 5th March 2025. Please use our online application form only.55

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 Prof. Dr. Frank Flechtner either 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.