Two Scientific Researchers (f_m_x) – Just Transition in EU Mining Regions 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”.
Section 3.4 Reactive Fluids and Geomaterials (department “Geochemistry”), is looking for:Two Scientific Researchers (f_m_x) – Just Transition in EU Mining Regions
The two successful candidates will be integral members of a collaborative and highly multi-disciplinary team working across five European Union-funded projects. The five projects focus on the Just Transition of EU mining regions, specifically aiming to repurpose former coal mining sites for a sustainable future.
Research context and focus:
The core mission is to support the transformation of formerly operating or closing coal mines. The research portfolio covers four key thematic pillars:
- Repurposing of mine infrastructure: Transforming closed coal mines for renewable energy production and energy storage solutions
- Water management: Comprehensive management of mine water in post-mining environments
- Circular economy and critical raw materials: Re-use of mining waste and recovery of critical raw materials from mine tailings and waste streams
- Methane management: Technologies and strategies for the mitigation and utilisation of methane emissions at closed coal mines
We are looking for two highly motivated researchers who can operate at a high level of abstraction, integrating diverse scientific disciplines to solve applied, real-world problems. You will bridge the gap between technical modelling, environmental risk assessment, and socio-economic transition strategies.
Your responsibilities:
- Collaborate proactively within a highly international and interdisciplinary team, fostering knowledge exchange across geological, engineering, and economic domains
- Develop and integrate multi-disciplinary solutions that connect hydrogeology, engineering, and circular economy principles
- Contribute to numerical modelling efforts regarding groundwater flow, solute and heat transport, and coupled chemical/microbiological reactions in subsurface environments
- Conduct comprehensive risk assessments covering environmental, technical, and economic dimensions of mine repurposing strategies
- Actively manage project deliverables, including reporting to EU funding bodies, presenting results at international conferences, and co-authoring high-impact publications
- Travel regularly for project meetings, field visits, and consortium workshops across the European Union
- Contribute to the drafting of potential future EU proposals
About you:
Essential qualifications:
- Educational background: A PhD or Master's degree (the latter only applies to candidates with proven work experience relevant to the research context) in Geosciences (specifically Hydrogeology, Engineering Geology) or Engineering (Environmental, Civil, or related fields)
- EU project experience: Prior experience working in EU-funded projects, including handling reporting requirements and presenting results to diverse stakeholders
- Modelling expertise: Proven experience in numerical modelling of subsurface flow, transport processes, and chemical or microbiological reactions
- Risk assessment: Demonstrated ability to perform integrated risk assessments covering environmental, technical, and economic aspects
- Technical skills: Programming skills (e.g., Python) for data analysis, workflow automation, and model coupling
- Soft skills: Excellent communication skills for multidisciplinary teamwork, strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to an international work environment
- Language: Full professional proficiency in written and spoken English
- Mobility: Willingness and ability to travel regularly for EU project meetings and site visits
Desirable qualifications:
- Familiarity with EU proposal writing is a distinct advantage
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
- 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: 2 years (optional extension based on project continuity and performance)
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
Reference number
11318
Additional actions
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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GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
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