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.
Postdoc (f_m_x) Researcher in Data Science and Forest Disturbance Monitoring
Reference Number 9522
This position is part of a project focused on detecting and evaluating forest disturbances using advanced Machine Learning (ML) techniques integrated with physics-based models. You will develop Data Analysis Workflows (DAWs) for monitoring forest disturbances and assessing risks during extreme climate conditions. You will work closely with computer scientists from TU Berlin and remote sensing scientists from HU Berlin to integrate and optimize these workflows, ensuring robust and efficient data processing and analysis.
Within this position your research will focus on developing and optimizing DAWs using high-resolution Earth Observation data (Sentinel 1 and 2, GEDI), creating hybrid models combining ML and physics-based approaches for efficient forest monitoring and forest mortality risks, collaborating with various working groups (remote sensing, data science, climate analysis) within the Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) and leveraging extensive expertise and projects within the section to foster an innovative research environment.
Your responsibilities:
- Development and optimize DAWs for forest disturbance detection and risk assessment
- Integration and analysing data from multiple sources (Sentinel satellites, GEDI)
- Applicate and refine ML techniques (CNNs, RNNs, transformers)
- Evaluation of model performance and ensuring DAW scalability and efficiency
- Conduction of independent and collaborative research in remote sensing and data science
- Designing and performance of experiments, data analysis, and result interpretation
- Preparation of manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals
- Presentation of your research findings at conferences and seminars
- Mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students
Your qualifications:
- Master`s degree (or equivalent) and a Ph.D. (or nearly completed) with a track record in remote sensing, large-area processing, and analysis (including cloud computing, ground/satellite data integration), or a related field
- Vision for how data science and AI can contribute to research
- Experience in large area Earth Observations, cloud computing, time series methods, AI, data science, and uncertainty analysis
- Open mind for collaborative research and connecting different fields
- International scientific profile with the ability to interact with professionals and societal partners
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: 4 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 recognized 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 for the severely disabled 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.
