Software Lead (f_m_x) for FERN.Lab

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 1.4 Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics (department 'Geodesy'), we are looking for a motivated:

Software Lead (f_m_x) for FERN.Lab

Reference Number 10200

FERN.Lab is a technology platform at GFZ for application-oriented, transdisciplinary method development in geodesy and earth observation. Our mission is to strengthen technology and knowledge transfer within our research center and, building on cutting-edge research, to develop innovative software solutions and services for our customers and partners (e.g., public authorities, NGOs, industry).

Within this position you guide the software development team and ensure the successful implementation of scientific remote sensing and geodetic methods into operational IT solutions. If you are passionate about earth observation, enjoy leading an interdisciplinary team, working at the interface of science and practice, and are eager to contribute to an agile and innovative environment, apply now to join us!

Your responsibilities:

• Oversee the operation and further development of remote sensing and geospatial software solutions, ensuring system stability and performance
• Plan, coordinate, and manage the software development process within an agile environment (e.g., Scrum)
• Develop and integrate methods for geospatial and multi-scale remote sensing data processing, visualisation, and analysis from diverse sources
• Ensure the implementation of standards such as the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable)
• Lead the design and implementation of scalable IT architectures and cloud-based infrastructures
• Conduct system analysis, integration, testing, and deployment, ensuring compliance with performance and security standards
• Organise and deliver training sessions and workshops on software development, data management, and GIS best practice
• Support the preparation of project proposals for third party funding
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams and maintain partnerships with national and international research institutions

Your qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (MSc or equivalent and a PhD) in Geoinformatics, Computer Science, Geodata Science, or a related field
• Experience in multidisciplinary scientific research, innovation and/or development projects 
• Experience in team leadership or technical management of software development projects
• Excellent programming skills in Python (min. 5 years experience) and experience with frameworks such as FastAPI
• Proven experience in setting up Software as a Service (SaaS) and FAIR data principles
• Proficiency in software development tools (e.g., Git, CI/CD pipelines, Docker, Kubernetes)
• Knowledge of systems administration, including Linux servers, database optimisation (PostgreSQL, MongoDB), and cloud platforms (Google Cloud, AWS, Azure)
• Familiarity with handling and visualising large earth observation datasets (e.g., UAV, satellite data), BigData and high performance computing framework (Flask, Flink, shared file system)
• Experience with agile software development methodologies (Scrum, Kanban)
• Understanding of IT security standards and performance optimisation techniques
• Excellent organisational skills, self-motivation, and ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent written and spoken English (a must) and German (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 
• Work place within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus 

Start date: As soon as possible

Fixed-term: 31.12.2027 with possibility for tenure track

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); The position is generally suitable for part-time work.

Place of work: Potsdam

Have we piqued your interest?

If so, we look forward to receiving your application including your CV and a letter of motivation by 17th March 2025. Please use our online application form only.

Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy. 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. 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. If you have any questions, please contact our Representative Body for Employees with Disabilities at sbv[at]gfz.de, who will be happy to assist you in the further application process. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer at gba[at]gfz.de.

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 Alison Beamish 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. 

Contact

Consultant

Franca Buge

Human Resources

0331 6264-1676

recruiting@gfz-potsdam.de

Clerk

Steffanie Gallwitz

Human Resources

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

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