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 the department “Geodesy”, we are looking for a:

The department primarily supports the candidate in familiarising him/herself with the complex tasks. In addition, the GFZ and the Helmholtz Association will actively promote further training in line with the candidate’s individual needs as part of the function- and needs-based onboarding programme.

Your responsibilities:

• Preparing and implementing personnel measures, investment applications, applications for third-party funding, infrastructure and resources, including spatial planning
• Planning and controlling department-related financial and human resources
• Collecting, processing and evaluating information and deriving tasks and work assignments for different target groups
• Preparation and follow-up of meetings at department and board level
• Management of the department’s reporting system
• Collaboration on strategic concepts of the department in line with those of the GFZ, including cross-divisional scientific coordination
• Development of strategies, concepts and instruments as well as the implementation of suitable measures of the department and its organisational units (sections and working groups) for the promotion of gender equality, the promotion of young scientists, the acquisition of third-party funding and the transfer of technology and knowledge in cooperation with the corresponding executive and administrative areas at the GFZ

Your qualifications:

• Successfully completed university degree (Master’s or comparable), preferably in a geoscientific context (doctorate desirable)
• Professional experience in financial and budget management as well as practical knowledge of project management
• Knowledge of the national – and key aspects of the European – science and funding system
• Strong analytical and strategic mindset
• Excellent conceptual and organisational skills combined with very good time management
• Communication and negotiation skills as well as a strong ability to convey complex issues and guidelines in a sensitive and context-specific manner
• Very good verbal and written communication skills in German and English 
• Commitment, a high degree of initiative and the ability to work in a team as well as independently in a dynamic environment
• Knowledge of the structures and work processes within the Helmholtz Association and the implementation principles of the Helmholtz Association’s programme-oriented research in the research field “Earth and Environment” is an advantage
• Expertise in research topics of the department “Geodesy”

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 Dr. Sibylle Itzerott via email or Prof. Dr. Maik Thomas 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.