Field Data Geoscientist (f_m_x)
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

Temporary

Full Time, Part Time

Apply by: 2026-02-01

Published: 2026-01-09

Potsdam

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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”.

For section 4.2 | Geomechanics and Scientific Drilling, (Department 4 Geosystems) we invite applications for the position:

Field Data Geoscientist (f_m_x)

Reference Number 11023

The GFZ hosts the Operational Support Group (OSG) of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP) in its Section 4.2 ‘Geomechanics and Scientific Drilling’. The OSG serves the scientific community through operational and financial support for high-profile international scientific drilling projects. ICDP projects contribute significantly to major advances in understanding Earth’s environment and life, sustainable georesources, and natural disasters.

A key aspect of OSG support is data and information management, ensuring efficient scientific data acquisition across ICDP projects in the field, laboratories, and core repositories. The Field Data Geoscientist will play a central role in supporting these efforts by fostering collaboration between external project scientists and ICDP. This will be accomplished through continuous communication, adherence to established protocols and standards, and oversight of the publication of project reports and scientific datasets.

Your responsibilities:

Project data acquisition and training of ICDP project scientists on the mobile Drilling Information System (mDIS)
Training and support in data and sample management workflows and on-site core handling procedures
Utilisation of associated drill site instruments, such as e.g., optical Core Scanner, Multi-Sensor Core Logger, and Online Gas Analysis
Development of sophisticated means for quality control in the acquisition, documentation, and archiving of scientific drilling data
Integration of the HiPerCoRig drilling system into the OSG portfolio
Development and implementation of an ICDP field laboratory
Support in organisational and logistical tasks such as the preparation and hosting of workshops and shipment of equipment and sample material
Editing and publishing operational reports in co-operation with the principal investigators and science team
Presentation of results at international conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals

Your qualifications:

A Master’s degree (or equivalent) and preferably a PhD in Earth Science or related fields
Strong geoscientific background, preferably in drilling projects
Expertise in drilling data management and processing
Experience in coordinating team processes
Practical skills in database tasks and general programming
Expertise in the use of analytical instruments
Willingness to travel internationally and to serve on projects in remote areas
Proven ability to communicate efficiently in English

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

Start date:

As soon as possible

Fixed term:

31.12.2028 (with an option 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

Job location

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About the employer

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

Potsdam + 6

> 1000 employees

German + 1

Established 1992

8 Jobs

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

The GFZ is Germany’s national center for research on the solid Earth. We advance the understanding of dynamic processes to address global challenges—ranging from mitigating the impacts of natural hazards and preserving our environment in times of global change to the responsible management of natural resources. We are a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest scientific organization. With approximately 1,200 staff and around 500 visiting researchers, we contribute to the Helmholtz research area “Earth and Environment,” combining cutting-edge research with societal relevance and international collaboration.

Our work integrates multidisciplinary studies of Earth’s systems and leverages advanced technologies and infrastructures to explore solutions and bring our knowledge into society. We do all this in line with our vision: “In tune with the Earth—to preserve it as a habitable planet.”