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.
Postdoctoral position (f_m_x) - Landscape response to the Hualien earthquake
Reference Number 9844
Since 2017, we have monitored landscape dynamics in the Liwu catchment, Taiwan. This mountain catchment is located in the area most affected by ground shaking and aftershocks of the M7.4 Hualien earthquake, causing widespread landsliding and rockfall as well as a release of groundwater. Our network of seismic, hydrometric and weather sensors (TESO) is capturing the impact and lingering effects of the earthquake on the landscape, and ongoing high-frequency river sampling will yield detailed insight into the earthquake-induced sediment, organic matter and solute fluxes. We are now aiming to hire a research scientist to join our scientific response to this event, to secure data acquisition and quality, and to develop the TESO monitoring network further. Research will focus on co- and post-seismic sediment production and physical aspects of the landscape’s response to the earthquake.
Your responsibilities:
- Conception and coordination of research addressing the landscape response to the 2024 Hualien earthquake with a focus on the Liwu catchment and the TESO network
- Coordination of data acquisition and sampling, data quality control, and organization of analysis
- Optimization and automation of data workflows
- Documentation of activities, processes and observations
- Analysis and interpretation of data related to the landscape’s physical response (e.g., mass wasting, bedload transport), and writing of scientific publications
- Support of internal and external partners working at the site and using the data
- Representation and promotion of the TESO consortium and its work on landscape response to the 2024 Hualien earthquake
- Planning and execution of work at the site, for example for maintenance, installation of new instruments or sampling protocols, advancing scientific projects, and liaison with local partners
Your qualifications:
- A Master`s degree (or equivalent) and a completed doctorate in the geosciences, hydrology, hydraulic engineering or related disciplines
- Experience with data quality, data management and workflow automation, and corresponding technical skills
- Knowledge of scripting & programming languages (preferably Python and C)
- Expertise with analysis of time series data, and/or environmental seismology
- A proven ability to work in a scientific consortium and to coordinate diverse activities
- An aptitude for working constructively and respectfully in different cultural settings
- A substantial interest in Earth surface processes
- Experience with organization and execution of complex fieldwork
- Experience with environmental monitoring design, set-up and maintenance, and corresponding technical skills
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.
