GFZ is Germany's national centre for solid Earth research. We advance the understanding of dynamic processes to address global challenges, from mitigating the impacts of natural hazards and sustaining our habitat amid global change to responsibly managing georesources. We are part of the Helmholtz Association, the largest German scientific organisation. With around 1,200 employees as well as ca. 500 guest researchers, we contribute to the Helmholtz Research Field Earth and Environment, aligning cutting-edge research with societal relevance and international collaboration. Our work integrates multidisciplinary studies across Earth's system components, leveraging advanced technologies and infrastructure to research solutions and to transfer our knowledge to society. We are doing this according to our vision: “Taking the pulse of our Earth to safeguard a habitable planet”.
PhD position (f_m_x) – Ionospheric Irregularities
Reference Number 10203
Our society is becoming increasingly dependent on complex technical systems, such as satellite telecommunications and navigation, which are at risk from conditions in the near-Earth space. A prominent phenomenon in this context are plasma instabilities in the ionosphere, which originate electron density irregularities, that induce disturbances on radio signals, such as those of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems). Therefore, we look for a PhD candidate to study large-to-small scale ionospheric irregularities by utilising ground- and space-based GNSS measurements. The successful candidate will be an important part of our GNSS team in section 1.1 Space Geodetic Techniques. The planned work will combine innovative research within an international research environment with interdisciplinary cooperation partners. The PhD position will be realised together with the Technische Universität Berlin.
Your responsibilities:
- Utilize ground-based and satellite-based GNSS data to identify plasma irregularities in the Earth’s ionosphere
- Advance scientific software and algorithms to enable a profound investigation of ionospheric disturbances in relation to solar-terrestrial coupling processes
- Validation of the GNSS-based scientific results with independent observation techniques, such as ionosondes
- Presentation/publication of results at scientific meetings and in peer-reviewed publications
Your qualifications:
- Master's degree in geodesy, meteorology, physics, geophysics or related fields
- Experience with scientific software development, e.g., in Python and/or Matlab
- Preferably experience with GNSS data and background in upper atmosphere science
- Ability to work with large data sets
- Very good English skills
- Adaptability to fit into a multidisciplinary and international team with the appropriate communicative competence
- High scientific motivation
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: 36 months
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: Part-time 75% (currently 29.25 h/week)
Place of work: Potsdam
Have we piqued your interest?
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. We also promote an inclusive working environment in which everyone can fully develop their own talents. 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.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.de.
“Diversity in perspectives” is one of GFZ's core values. As an integral part of supporting diversity at our centre, we actively promote women in science and in leadership positions. We among others do this through our gender equality plan and the cascade model measures which we actively implement to enable sustainable equal opportunities in academic career paths. The GFZ thus committedly strives for gender equality in science, including in leadership positions, and strongly encourages women to apply.
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.
