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 according to our vision: “Taking the pulse of our Earth to safeguard a habitable planet”.

Homepage: https://www.gfz.de/en/section/interface-geochemistry/overview

Reference Number 10600

We seek a highly motivated and enthusiastic mineralogist who wants to develop her/his/their skills in a highly interdisciplinary work environment in order to obtain a holistic understanding of mineral-fluid ­interactions in Earth Surface processes.

The successful candidate will contribute their specialist mineralogical skills in diffraction, spectroscopy and high-resolution imaging to projects aimed at elucidating kinetics and reaction mechanisms of nucleation, growth and transformation of amorphous and crystalline mineral phases in low temperature (< 100 °C) aqueous media. The prime focus will be on in situ experimental approaches that allow us to monitor how changes in inorganic or organic aqueous species affect fundamental solid state mineralogical and geochemical reactions at mineral-water interfaces. The ideal candidate has a well-documented pedigree in experimental (ideally in situ) low temperature mineralogy and crystallography, and preferentially 1-3 years of postdoctoral experience.

She/he/they will join an 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:

• Conduct original research and apply your specialised mineralogical/crystallographic knowledge/skills in diffraction, spectroscopy and imaging to address fundamental questions linked to (bio)mineral nucleation, growth and transformation in low temperature systems
• Develop and apply in situ experimental methods to follow change in aqueous and solid state mineral formation and transformation reactions and evaluate kinetic parameters linked to such reactions
• Publish in international peer-reviewed journals; present research results at scientific meetings
• Development of own research directions complementary to those in the Interface Geochemistry team is strongly encouraged
• Lead and/or considerably contribute to writing proposals for 3rd party funding
• Help with supervision of Master’s and PhD students

Your qualifications:

• MSc and PhD degree in mineralogy, crystallography, material sciences or geosciences with specialization in experimental low temperature mineral formation/transformation reactions
• An indispensable requirement for this post is a clearly documented hands-on expertise in acquisition and complex analyses of diffraction/scattering/spectroscopic data related to mineral formation and stability (i.e., XRD, PDF, FTIR, Raman, TGA/DSC, etc
• Proven experience in mineralogical/crystallographic data modelling is desired
• Excellent publication and 3rd party funding records
• Capacity for interdisciplinary and international teamwork and excellent communication skills
• Experience in the supervision of students
• Proficiency in spoken and written English and German is an asset

Start date: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: 2 years (with possibility 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

_*Have we piqued your interest?_*
If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 17th August 2025.

Applications are _*only accepted if submitted through the online form_* via the APPLY button at the bottom of the page

and only if they contain the following documents:

1. Cover letter detailing a point by point description how you fit the qualifications and responsibilities detailed for the post
2. CV, full publication list
3. Contact information and stated relationship for 2-3 potential referees