The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for research into the geosphere. With around 1,650 employees, we develop a sound understanding of systems and processes of the solid Earth as well as strategies and options for action to counter global change, understand natural hazards and sustainably secure energy and raw material requirements.
Geological storage of hydrogen (H2) is an essential component of a sustainable hydrogen economy, because it serves to ensure security of supply and provides the necessary buffer between production and consumption. Pore storage sites, as e.g., saline aquifers and depleted natural gas reservoirs, are widespread in Germany and have much larger storage capacities than caverns, but have not been sufficiently investigated regarding their hydrogen storage feasibility so far. One important research focus for H2 pore storage is, among other things, the investigation of the reactive transport interactions between hydrogen, saline fluid and reservoir as well as cap rocks in the subsurface by means of dedicated laboratory experiments.
PostDoc GEOZeit (f_m_x)
Reference Number 10074
In our Helmholtz-funded research project GEOZeit/HyPrepare, we offer the position of a Postdoctoral Scientist to conduct experimental investigations of physicochemical processes associated with the geological storage of hydrogen. The successful candidate will study the interactions of hydrogen with geological rock matrix and fluids to investigate the factors affecting advection-diffusion process under varying pressure and temperature conditions analogous to subsurface systems.
Your responsibilities:
- Prepare and configure experimental setups for hydrogen diffusion and solubility measurements
- Preparation and processing of rock and water samples for the experiments
- Operate and maintain laboratory equipment including autoclaves, mass spectrometer, gas chromatograph and gas sensors
- Process experimental data using appropriate software tools
- Interpret results and discuss them in collaboration with numerical modelling team
- Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at scientific conferences
Your qualifications:
- Master`s degree (or equivalent) and a Ph.D. in Geochemistry, Chemistry, Material Science, or a related field
- Practical experience in geotechnical or geochemical laboratory setting and operating laboratory equipment, as e.g., mass spectrometers, gas chromatographs and water sample analysis
- Strong analytical skills with experience in data processing and interpretation
- Ability to work independently, in a goal-oriented and structured manner
- Excellent team and communication skills
- Very good knowledge of English (oral and written)
Desirable Skills:
- Familiarity in saline fluid interactions with geological materials
- Experience in rock powder preparation, XRD and isotopic analysis
- Proficiency in innovative experimental development and statistical analysis methods
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
Fixed-term: 2 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: Full-time (currently 39 h/week); The position is generally suitable for part-time work.
Place of work: Potsdam
Have we piqued your interest?
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-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.
