Scientist - Preparation of the GRACE-C Science Data System

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No

Offer Description

Area of research: Scientific / postdoctoral posts

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 in line with our vision: “Taking the pulse of our Earth to safeguard a habitable planet”.

For section 1.2 "Global Geomonitoring and Gravity Field" (department “Geodesy”), we are looking for a:

Reference Number 11416

GFZ is part of the German-American GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) Science Data System (SDS). Within this system, GFZ is solely responsible for receiving the raw data (Level-0) via its own satellite receiving station in Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard) and for generating a correction model for short-term atmospheric and oceanic mass variations (Level-1B). Like its U.S. partners at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the University of Texas Center for Space Research (UTCSR), GFZ also computes monthly gravity field models in the form of spherical harmonic coefficients (Level-2). In addition, GFZ provides national and international users with fully corrected, gridded mass transport products (Level-3).

To prepare the Science Data System for the requirements of the follow-on GRACE-C mission (scheduled for launch in 2028), new data-processing and software components are to be developed at GFZ. These will constitute an essential building block for the future scientific exploitation of the mission.

The advertised position is part of a project funded by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to prepare the SDS for the GRACE-C mission. In particular, the successful candidate will develop methods to calculate Line-of-Sight Gravity Gradients (LSGG) from Level-1 observations from the GRACE-FO Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI) and investigate geophysical applications of this new type of observation. Another part of the position involves optimising, and in particular accelerating, the EPOS (Earth Parameter and Orbit System) software developed at GFZ.

Your Responsibilities:

• Develop a processing chain for generating LSGG observations from GRACE-FO LRI Level-1 data
• Validate the results using real GRACE-FO data
• Further develop LSGG analysis methods and apply the resulting LSGG products to geophysical applications
• Optimise the EPOS (Earth Parameter and Orbit System) software used for orbit and gravity field determination

About You:

Required Qualifications

• University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) and a PhD in geodesy or related fields
• Experience in processing time-variable gravity field models, both using real GRACE/GRACE-FO Level-1 data and in simulation studies
• Experience in characterising errors in GRACE/GRACE-FO Level-1 observations, particularly LRI observations
• Experience in validating GRACE/GRACE-FO Level-2 gravity field models
• Experience working in Linux environments
• Very good programming skills in Fortran and MATLAB/Octave
• Very good written and spoken English

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of using GRACE/GRACE-FO data for geophysical applications
• Experience using the EPOS-OC software
• Willingness to collaborate in an interdisciplinary and international research environment

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 is offered by our in-house Career-Centre
• Flexible working hours and conditions
• Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work

Start date: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: 2 years
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund ”. 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: Weßling-Oberpfaffenhofen (GFZ outer branch near Munich)

Have we piqued your interest?

If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 14th October 2026. Please use our online application form only.

Required documents: CV, letter of motivation, grades/certificates

The GFZ actively promote diversity and equal opportunities. We explicitly welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age, and physical or neurodiverse abilities.

“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. To know more about our Diversity policies, contact the diversity team. If you need more information about our gender equality policies, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer and check our Equal Opportunities Plan & Cascade Model.

We look forward to applications from people who enjoy working in diverse teams, where everyone feels respected and valued and can fully develop their own talents. Applicants with severe disabilities and equalised persons will receive preferential consideration if equally qualified.

Data protection information for applicants

In case of any further queries regarding the field of activity, please contact Dr. Annette Eicker 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.