Job description:

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 4.1 Lithosphere Dynamics (department 4: Geosystems), we are looking for a: Reference Number 10729

We invite applications for a fully funded two-year Post-doc position within the research project AArTe (Aegean to Adria Tectonics), which is part of the DFG Priority Program DEFORM (Plate Deformation and Geohazards: The Eastern Margin of the Adriatic Plate). The project aims to establish a multi-disciplinary active tectonic framework at the transition between the Adria collision zone and the Aegean extensional system.

The successful candidate will contribute to addressing key questions with implications for Mediterranean tectonics, including: How are the Balkans shaped by the interplay of plate boundary forces, collisional processes, trench retreat, body forces, and mantle convection? How does the transition from subduction to collision affect upper-plate deformation and the kinematics of strain transfer into the Aegean system? What role does the North Anatolian Fault play in driving deformation across the region?

Your responsibilities:

• Refining and updating existing fault catalogues through kinematic mapping of active structures in Greece and the surrounding region, potentially including paleoseismological investigations
• Reconstructing the kinematic fault evolution through structural/morphotectonic analysis
• Producing high-resolution deformation maps by leveraging existing geodetic datasets; alternatively, analyse InSAR time-series and GNSS datasets to quantify the distribution of crustal strain and identify potential zones of active faulting
• Combining structural geology, remote sensing, and geodesy approaches

Your qualifications:

• A PhD degree (or equivalent) in Geosciences, Earth Sciences, Geophysics, Remote Sensing, or a related field
• Background in active tectonics, structural geology, and geodesy
• Good field expertise in active tectonics and paleoseismology; knowledge of Balkans/Aegean geology is a plus
• Experience with structural/kinematic analysis and GIS
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary, international research environment
• Excellent knowledge of English (written and oral)
• Programming/data analysis skills (Python, MATLAB, or similar) are an advantage
• Remote sensing (InSAR) and/or GNSS analysis is an 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 central train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus
  
• A fully funded Post-Doc position within the DFG Priority Program DEFORM, with opportunities for collaboration and exchange across a network of related projects
• Fieldwork opportunities in Greece and the broader Aegean–Adria region
• Training in advanced geodetic and remote sensing methods

Start date: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: 24 months
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)
Place of work: Potsdam Have we piqued your interest?If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 5 t h October 2025 . Required documents: CV, letter of motivationPlease use our online application form only.

The GFZ actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. We also promote an inclusive working environment in which everyone can fully develop their own talents. Anyone who has been recognised as severely disabled, will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer.

"Diversity in perspectives” is one of GFZ's core values. As an integral part of supporting diversity at our centre, we actively promote women in science and in leadership positions. We among others do this through our gender equality plan and the cascade model measures which we actively implement to enable sustainable equal opportunities in academic career paths. The GFZ thus committedly strives for gender equality in science, including in leadership positions, and strongly encourages women to apply.

Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 b, Art. 88 GDPR in conjunction with Art. 26 of the Data Protection Act for the State of Brandenburg. After completion of the procedure, application documents will be deleted in compliance with data protection regulations.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Claudio Faccenna via email. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.