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The GFZ Helmholtz 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.

For section 4.6 4.6 Geomorphologie (department “Geosystems”), we are looking for a:

Technician sediment coring, core processing and curation (f_m_x)

Reference Number 10101

The working group “Terrestrial Climate Archives” of the GFZ is seeking to recruit technical support for sediment coring and sample preparation and curation. The group has leading expertise in the analysis and interpretation of lake sediments as archives of past environments and climates throughout the world. High-quality sediment cores, together with specialized core processing and sampling techniques provide the basis for the scientific excellence of the group.

We are looking for a motivated team member with a technical education and a flexible and solution-oriented way of working. The appointee will be responsible for the technical preparation and execution of geoscientific field work and sediment coring activities in Europe and beyond, including several extended deployments each year. This entails the transport, assemblage and safe operation of mobile coring devices on land and water for recovery of high-quality sediment samples covering key episodes in the Earth’s geological history. Working alongside scientific experts, the appointee will accompany samples from the field to the lab, supporting their processing and analysis. We especially welcome qualified female applicants.

Your responsibilities:

  • Preparation and execution of national and international coring campaigns with various sediment drilling methods for the extraction of high-quality sediment cores
  • Maintenance and storage of coring and field equipment
  • Organising transport and shipping of coring and field equipment
  • Safety during field campaigns
  • Support for technical development of novel drilling equipment and sampling techniques driven by scientific needs
  • Sediment core processing and sampling for geochemical analyses and thin section preparation
  • Participation in curation of the GFZ sediment core repository and implementation of uniform sampling protocols
  • Liaison with coring manufacturers and contractors

Your qualifications:

  • Schooled technician, preferably in geology technology or drilling technology
  • Experience in the use of drilling technology for unconsolidated sediments (including UWITEC drilling systems) is of advantage
  • Experience in sampling and preparation of unconsolidated sediments is of advantage
  • Proficiency in written and spoken German (at least C1)
  • Adequate written and spoken English (at least B2)
  • Independent and reliable way of working
  • Flexible and pragmatic, with excellent technical improvisation skills
  • Very good team skills
  • Stress-resistant, cooperative and service-oriented
  • Willingness to work in an international and interdisciplinary environment and to participate in regular (international) field assignments lasting several weeks
  • Driver's license classes BE, ClE – can be supplemented after training
  • Training in specialist coring and sample processing techniques will be provided

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

Start date: 1st March 2025
Fixed-term: 2 years (with possibility of extension)
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 9b 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?

If so, we look forward to receiving your application (incl. letter of motivation and CV) by 2nd February 2025. 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 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.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Rik Tjallingii by e-mail or by phone +49 (0)331-6264 1438. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.

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