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 4.6 Geomorphology (department "Geosystems”), we are looking for a:

Reference Number 10651

We seek a highly motivated postdoctoral scholar to contribute to the development of the first central European hydroclimatic reconstruction of the penultimate interglacial complex and provide detailed insight on the duration, strength and sensitivity of this past warm state over this region in the DFG-funded project CONTINENTAL.

Periods of prolonged heat and dryness are expected to increase over central Europe due to anthropogenic warming. Past interglacial warm periods of the Quaternary provide unique analogues of environmental conditions during warm climate states without anthropogenic interference.

This project aims to provide a detailed and precisely dated paleoclimatic reconstruction of the MIS 8-7 transition and warm phases MIS 7a, MIS 7c, and MIS 7e of the penultimate interglacial complex using the partly varved paleo-maar sediments of the Neualbenreuth sediment core, recovered by an ICDP project. A combination of paleoclimatology, sedimentology, organic and inorganic geochemistry, will be used with existing palynological analyses, will allow us to examine hydroclimatic shifts and duration of these warm phases over central Europe.

Your responsibilities:

• Perform sedimentological and organic geochemical analyses on partly annually laminated maar lake sediments of the Neualbenreuth drill core covering the Penultimate Interglacial Complex of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 7
• Establish chemical characterisation, micro-facies analyses and a varve chronology based on thin section observations
• Extract, purify and analyse terrestrial biomarkers and their radiogenic and stable carbon and hydrogen isotope ratios to trace carbon through the landscape
• Obtain a detailed understanding of expression and natural processes driving the hydroclimate over central Europe during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 7
• Publish key results in international journals and present them at scientific meetings

Your qualifications:

• Master`s degree (or equivalent) and a PhD degree (or equivalent) in the (bio)geosciences (geology, physical geography, environmental sciences, geoecology or related fields), with evidence of excellence in guided research
• An ability to quickly grasp scientific concepts and place detailed information and observations in a wider context
• An ability to work independently and develop the project in the framework of the PI group
• A talent for combining techniques and insights from different disciplines, and a keen interest in comparison with existing climate records and paleoclimatic feedback processes
• Experience in micro-facies analyses and (organic) geochemical analysis is an advantage
• Very good English skills, written and spoken
• High motivation and creativity, as well as a result-oriented, structured and independent working attitude
• Willingness and ability to work in a diverse, interdisciplinary and international team
• Excellent communication skills

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