About us

The Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology (MPI-GEA) was founded in the summer of 2022; it is a dynamically growing, highly-interdisciplinary and international research institution. The research focuses on modeling and analyzing the interrelationships between biophysical and human-made systems, looking from the deep past to the future to examine how humanity has driven the emergence of the Anthropocene – the period in which human activities began significantly impacting our planet’s climate and ecosystems – and identifying potential intervention points towards a more sustainable future.

The Core Unit High Performance Computing (HPC) at the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology is the central support unit and technical partner for researchers. We help scientists translate scientific questions into efficient, reproducible HPC workflows by providing HPC environments, user support, training, documentation, and in-house software development. We work closely with researchers and provide support grounded in real scientific needs.

Our institute seeks an HPC Technician (f/m/d) for a fixed-term position of initially 24 months with the option of an unlimited contract afterwards.

Qualifications and experience

Required

Completed vocational training as IT specialist or degree in computer science, computational science, engineering, physics, mathematics or comparable practical experience with a focus on high-performance computing environments.

Strong proficiency in Linux, including command line usage, troubleshooting, and system administration as well as familiarity with batch systems like Slurm and the internal workings of high-performance computing environments.

Excellent communication skills in English (B2) and a service-oriented mindset; the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-experts. The ability to deliver trainings, workshops, or training materials for researchers.

Desired

Basic scripting skills (e.g. in Bash or Python) as well as knowledge of documentation tooling and ticket systems. Experience with server/enterprise hardware.

Tasks

• Support researchers in using HPC environments, e.g. with Linux basics, SSH, file system operations, job submission, debugging
• Onboarding of new users
• Maintenance and administration of Linux servers/cluster nodes
• Provide and continuously improve user documentation, FAQs, and other training materials
• Deliver hands-on workshops on all topics relevant to researchers who want to use HPC systems

Our offer

• Opportunity to contribute to foundational research in the new field of Geoanthropology
• Work with leading scientists in human-Earth system science
• Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure

We offer you a full-time or part-time employment (at least 24 hours/week) contract and an attractive salary in accordance with TVöD (Bund) in line with the specific job description and your personal requirements up to EG 11, as well as an additional annual bonus. You are entitled to a 30 days' holiday and time off on 24th and 31st December. We also offer attractive and family-friendly flexitime and remote working arrangements. A company pension scheme (VBL), an employer subsidy for a job ticket, the opportunity for further training, and language and health courses round off our offer. The Max Planck Society is committed to the compatibility of family and career and is certified according to the "berufundfamilie" audit.

The Max Planck Society has set itself to employ more people with disabilities. Applications from people with disabilities are expressly encouraged.

We are committed to promoting diversity and actively combating prejudice based on gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, and other components of identity. The MPI-GEA received the TOTAL E-QUALITY award for this commitment to diversity and equality.

Please submit your application via our application portal by 1 ^st March, 2026.

Contact:

rzymski@gea.mpg.de