Scientific programmer (f_m_x) - Integrating Databases into Digital Twin

GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung

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 4.7 “Earth Surface Process Modeling” (department 4: “Geosysteme”), we are looking for a:

Scientific programmer (f_m_x) - Integrating Databases into Digital Twin

Reference Number 10765

The position will be hosted at the GFZ in Potsdam in the Earth Surface Process Modelling (ESPM) group of Jean Braun, where numerical models are developed and used to investigate a wide range of physical, chemical and biological processes and interactions occurring at the Earth’s surface that are driven by tectonic processes and modulated by climate. The ESPM section hosts approximately 15 researchers from diverse backgrounds and with varied research interests. Your responsibilities:

• Develop Python code to access and gather a large variety of geological databases into a consistent data catalogue
• Develop data processing pipelines to organise, prepare and transform the data into a format suitable for direct integration within models
• Optimise data access for use within the context of repeated simulations
• Ensure code quality and set up continuous integration pipelines to maintain data catalogue integrity and accessibility
• Publish and document open-source software

Your qualifications:
Essential:

• Completed University degree in Computer Science (or a comparable field)
• Technical skills:
  • Advanced level programming in Python (especially with Pandas, NumPy, Xarray, etc.)
  • Good experience with data manipulation, conversion and cleaning techniques
  • Good experience with data formats (CSV, Excel, JSON, Parquet, XML, HDF5, NetCDF, etc.)
  • Familiarity with consuming RESTful APIs and with database systems
  • Familiarity with software development tools such as version control (Git/GitHub)
• Ability to handle messy, unstructured, or incomplete data efficiently
• Ability to clearly document and explain data transformation steps
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Fluency in English (written and spoken)

Desirable:

• Experience with Python geospatial and scientific libraries, such as Xarray, Dask, GeoPandas, etc.
• Experience with data cataloguing tools (e.g., Intake)
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and cloud-native data formats (Zarr, Geoparquet, etc.)
• Experience in the usage and/or development of models in geosciences

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
• Work place within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus