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) Biogeochemistry, ERC Project Archean Park
Reference Number 9868
The ERC Synergy project ‘Archean Park’ aims to gain insights into life under primitive conditions and to discover previously unknown metabolic pathways that enabled microorganisms to live on the primordial Earth 4,000 to 2,500 million years ago. In addition to the GFZ, the University of Münster (microbiology), the MARUM - Centre for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen (organic geochemistry) and the University of Duisburg-Essen (bioinformatics) are involved in this project. The GFZ is mainly responsible for carrying out the research drillings in Germany and abroad, the biogeochemical characterisation of the samples and the cultivation and enrichment of microorganisms under high CO2 concentrations.
The advertised project is in the field of biogeochemistry. In addition, the post holder will support the project manager in the planning and realisation of the research drillings. The samples obtained will be characterised biogeochemically. Based on these data, the conditions for the microbiological cultivations will then be determined. In addition, turnover and incorporation rate measurements with stable and radioisotopes will be carried out in order to decipher metabolic pathways.
Your responsibilities:
- Active participation in sampling activities at home and abroad, sometimes lasting several weeks
- Supporting the project manager in the planning and realisation of research drillings
- Obtaining samples from drill cores or deep boreholes and analysing them biogeochemically
- Carrying out turnover and incorporation rate measurements with stable and radioisotopes
- Writing scientific publications in the relevant journals
- Active interaction with the project partners
Your qualifications:
- Master's degree or equivalent and doctorate in geosciences
- Several years of experience in the field of deep biosphere research
- Several years of experience in the management of scientific collaborative projects
- Experience with scientific drilling
- Experience with turnover rate measurements
- Good written and spoken English
- Willingness to spend several weeks in the field at home and abroad
- Willingness to work in an international team
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: until 30.04.2030
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?
If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 27th October 2024. 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.
