Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for geosphere research. As a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres we are part of the largest scientific organization in Germany. With approximately 1,500 employees our key mission is to secure a profound understanding of the systems and processes of solid Earth, to develop strategies and options for action in addressing global change and its impacts on a regional level, to understand natural hazards and to minimize associated risks, to ensure the sustainable provision of energy and raw materials for a high-tech society and to evaluate the influence of human activity on system Earth.

Homepage: https://www.gfz-potsdam.de/en/

For section 3.5 Interface Geochemistry (department of Geochemistry), we are looking for a:

Technical Laboratory Assistant (SEM) (f_m_x)

We are looking for a Technical Assistant who already has basic training / experience in electron microscopic imaging and analyses. She/he/ they will become an integral member of the Potsdam Imaging and Spectral Analysis (PISA) Facility team. The selected candidate has to be interested in- and willing to learn and work with the PISA team to also implement new state-of-the-art techniques for imaging and analyses of various geo(bio)materials.

She/he/they will join a multidisciplinary, 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:

• Sample preparation for imaging using various approaches (coating, dispersion etc.)
• Imaging and elemental analyses of various samples provided by various users of the PISA facility using scanning electron microscopy
• Basic data evaluation including image stitching, elemental map plotting and statistics related to grain / particle number and sizes
• Evaluation, processing and documenting all results following agreed protocols
• Participate in and help further develop novel specimen preparation methods for cryo-sample handling and analyses using scanning electron microscopy
• Interface with users and help with their analyses

Your qualifications:

• Completed training as a chemical technical assistant (equivalent to German CTA) or comparable training
• Basic knowledge of and experience with imaging and analyses with electron microscopic instruments is a minimum requirement
• Ability to carrying out structured work while adhering to tight timelines
• Willingness to be trained in and learn, respectivley develop new approaches in sample preparation, sample handling and sample imaging /analyses using electron microsocpy
• Good written and spoken English skills
• Experience using MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point) and excellent statistical knowlege for data evaluation
• Demonstrate a high degree of flexibility, independence and analytical quality standards
• Willingness to work in a multinational and multidisciplinary research team

Start date: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: 2 years (with possibility of extension)
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 9a 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

If you are interested, please submit a CV and a cover letter stating how you fit the above described qualifications electronically

Please submit your application online by 21st June 2023 using the Apply button . Only online applications are accepted.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Liane G. Benning via email at benning@gfz-potsdam.de.

The full text of the job advertisement can be found here .