Scientist (f_m_x) GRACE - FO
Reference Number 7836
The Earth´s gravity field including its temporal variations is a key parameter for understanding our system Earth. Dedicated gravity satellite missions such as GFZ-1, CHAMP, GRACE, GOCE and GRACE-FO, to a large extent developed, operated and analysed by Section 1.2 “Global Geomonitoring and Gravity Field”, enable to study mass distribution and mass transport on various spatial and temporal scales. Currently, Section 1.2 is operating the GRACE-FO Science Data System and preparing, together with DLR/NASA, a GRACE-FO successor mission (planned launch in 2028) as well as, together with ESA, a NGGM/MAGIC double pair constellation (anticipated launch in 2031), in order to guarantee data continuity and to improve temporal and spatial resolution of mass transport products. Furthermore, together with DLR/Airbus the benefit of a future Quantum Gravity Gradiometer (QGG) satellite mission will be analyzed till the end of 2024.
Your responsibilities:
- Perform full-scale simulations with the software EPOS, developed inhouse at Section 1.2, to investigate the performance of various single pair, double pair and QGG mission scenarios (orbits, instrument characteristics, background modeling, etc.)
- Calculate monthly GRACE-FO gravity field solutions with EPOS based on Laser Ranging Interferometer data to be used for static gravity field determination
- Investigate the potential benefit of range and/or range-acceleration low-low satellite-to satellite tracking (ll-SST) data compared to standard range-rate ll-SST data within full-scale simulations and by application to GRACE/GRACE-FO real data
- Documentation and presentation of results at project meetings and international conferences
Your qualifications:
- Master`s degree (or equivalent) in geodesy, mathematics or physics (PhD required)
- Proven knowledge (by PhD thesis and peer reviewed papers) to derive the time-variable gravity field from simulated and real gravity satellite mission data
- Profound knowledge of adjustment theory and signal processing
- Very good experience in processing of large datasets with a huge number of observations and parameters to be estimated
- Very good programming skills (shell scripting, Fortran, MATLAB/Octave) and Linux knowledge
- Very good English language skills
- Experience working in an interdisciplinary and international research and industry environment with appropriate communications 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
- Attractive location in Oberpfaffenhofen in proximity to the DLR
Fixed-term: 18 months
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet West)”. 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: Oberpfaffenhofen
Have we piqued your interest?
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 recognized 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 for the severely disabled at sbv[at]gfz-potsdam.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-potsdam.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.
