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”.
Postdoc (f_m_x) in Mineral Transformation
Reference Number 10370
The project's aims are to elucidate the role and fate of rare earth elements (REE) and organics during the formation and transformation of iron oxides with a view to enhance our understanding of crucial resource recovery.
The succesful candidate will join an international and diverse team of researchers led by Liane G. Benning, who is very committed to fostering a fully inclusive research environment. Non-discrimination and equal treatment are integral parts of our group policy.
Your responsibilities:
- Perform experiments to investigate the formation and stability of iron phases under simulated subsurface conditions in the presence and absence of REE and organics
- Determine the kinetics and mechanisms of these reactions
- Quantify the changes in structure, composition and size of the mineral phases during all stages of the reactions
- Collaborate with researchers from diverse backgrounds
- Development of own research directions is strongly encouraged
- Publish in international peer-reviewed journals
- Present research results at scientific meetings
- Lead and/or considerably contribute to writing proposals for third-party funding
- Assist with the co-supervision of MSc and PhD students
Your qualifications:
- MSc and PhD in geochemistry, mineralogy or environmental sciences
- Documented mineral synthesis experience as well as solution and solid state characterization knowledge (e.g., diffraction, imaging or spectroscopy)
- Experience in mineral thermodynamics and kinetics
- Proven experience in all types of aqueous and solid state geochemical data evaluation is a must
- Excellent publication record
- Capacity for interdisciplinary and international team-work and excellent communication skills
- Proficiency in spoken and written English, German is an advantage but not a must
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 (with possibility of extension)
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?
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. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer.
“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.
