Head of Section eScience Center (f_m_x) GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
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 in line with our vision: "Taking the pulse of our Earth to safeguard a habitable planet".
For section 5.2 eScience Center (Department "Geoinformation"), we are looking for a:
Head of Section eScience Center (f_m_x)
Digitalisation is transforming the way science is conducted across all disciplines today. The entire scientific knowledge process is mirrored in the virtual world. Academic work is shifting towards digital methods.
Section 5.2 at the Department of Geoinformation of the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) supports Earth system sciences in this transformation and acts as a driver of digitalisation and innovation. To this end, the section develops digital solutions in collaboration with other research centres within the framework of the Helmholtz AI Basecamp (DataHub) "Earth & Environment" for professional research data management according to FAIR principles, for supporting scientific data acquisition, processing and analysis in virtual research environments, and for tools for visualisation and data science.
The work in Section 5.2 is characterised by agile working methods, co-design approaches together with users from the scientific disciplines, laboratories, and observatories, and a consistent orientation towards DevOps principles.
Your responsibilities:
- Leadership, personnel responsibility and associated resource management of the section
- Strategic planning, management and development of digital tools (including AI) for the digital transformation in the sciences
- Active shaping of the centre's positions on relevant topics, particularly research software engineering, software policies and open science in dialogue with relevant stakeholders in the regional, national and international environment
- Active development of the section's service portfolio with a view to the outstanding international positioning of the centre in the geosciences
- Acquisition, coordination and management of third-party funded projects
About You:
Essential Qualifications:
- Successfully completed a scientific university degree in computer science or a related field
- Several years of experience and in-depth knowledge in coordinating and managing agile projects, particularly in software development
- Experience in motivating and leading employees
- In-depth technical understanding of modern software development methods, the development of digital services and technological trends
- Communication skills based on respect and a dialogue-oriented leadership style, as well as the ability and willingness to collaborate constructively and solution-oriented with other executives in the department and throughout the GFZ
- German (Level B2) and fluent English skills
Desirable Qualifications:
- Experience in acquiring third-party projects (screening of funding programs, proposal writing, project coordination)
- Relevant doctorate
- Several years of experience working in an academic environment
- Experience and networking within the German and international RSE community
- Familiarity with current developments in the context of Open Science
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
- 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
- Workplace 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: Permanent position
Salary: The position is classified according to TVöD Bund (tariff area East) with salary group 15. The classification is based on the collective agreement provisions and the corresponding personal requirements.
Working hours: Full-time (currently 39 h/week); The position is generally suitable for part-time work.
Place of work: Potsdam
Apply
Have we piqued your interest?
If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 2nd July 2026. Please use our online application form only.
Required documents: letter of motivation, CV and certificates/grades
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 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.
Data protection information for applicants
In case of any further queries regarding the field of activity, please contact Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Graf zu Castell-Rüdenhausen via email. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 331 6264‑28787.
Reference number
11300
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About the employer
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
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.”
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