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 1.5 Space Physics and Space Weather (department 1 Geodesy), we are looking for a Student Research assistant. Reference Number 10584

The primary project of the student assistantship will be assisting in the maintenance and development of the PAGER (Prediction of Adverse Effects of Geomagnetic Storms and Energetic Radiation) project. PAGER provides data-assimilative probabilistic space weather predictions initiated from observations of the sun. It focuses on using ensemble simulations and data assimilation for modeling and forecasting.

Your responsibilities:

• Helping maintain real time forecasting code
• Assisting in the validation of Space Weather predictions for historical events
• Documenting and testing codes
• Improving upon existing machine learning and numerical models

Your qualifications:

• Excellent Python programming skills, Matlab and C++ experience is a plus
• Interest in Space Weather and Space Physics
• Course of study in Physics, Computer Science, or related field
• Enrollment at a German university
• Good command of the English language

What we offer:

• Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
• State-of-the-art equipment
• Working at the Albert Einstein science park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
• Work place within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus
  

Start date: 1st October 2025
Fixed-term: 6 months, with the option to extend (this requires a valid enrollment certificate in full-time study)
Salary: According to the rules of the TdL (tariff area East) for student assistants currently € 13.98 (without a Bachelor's degree) and € 14,59 (with a Bachelor's degree/FH degree).
Working hours: 9,5 h to 20 h/week (38 h to 80 h/month)
Place of work: Potsdam Have we piqued your interest?If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 31st August 2025 . Required documents: CV and certificate of enrollment at an University or University of Applied Sciences, recent transcript / grades, and a document with a list of technical skills (programming languages, operating systems, years of expereince in each, etc) Desirable documents: 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 Rebecca Barsotti 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.