The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for geosphere research. As a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres we are part of the largest scientific organization in Germany. With approximately 1,500 employees our key mission is to secure a profound understanding of the systems and processes of solid Earth, to develop strategies and options for action in addressing global change and its impacts on a regional level, to understand natural hazards and to minimize associated risks, to ensure the sustainable provision of energy and raw materials for a high-tech society and to evaluate the influence of human activity on system Earth.

For section Seismic Hazard and Risk Dynamics, we are looking for a:

Geospatial Data Expert (f_m_x)

Reference Number 9112

The Local Digital Twin Toolbox (LDT) for European Cities project supported by the European Union aims at supporting software for cities in the European member states on the basis of highly detailed and feature-rich building data. One key aspect is going to be the inclusion of 3D building data for up to 500 cities. The purpose of LDT is to support cities in their data-driven approach to disaster management and preparation, as well as in their long-term sustainability goals. This project builds on the Global Dynamic Exposure model for natural hazard which describes the global building stock in terms of building structures and vulnerabilities to different natural hazards. A particular feature of this models is that it separately describes almost all buildings of the world in detail. This high-resolution building-based model is completely derived from open data, building classifications are algorithmically assessed, and is fully dynamic through capturing changes to the open data in near real-time.

Your responsibilities:

2D to 3D processing (and visualization)
Implement a proof-of-concept of an exposure/building model covering 3D features
Rule-based system that intelligently prioritizes certain data and datasets
Machine Learning for compensating data gaps
Develop the rule-based engine for the assessment of exposure indicators
Develop the full computational chain for building-by-building exposure and integrate each component into the overall workflow
Maintain large databases and complex software systems and provide documentation
Research procedures (and implement them) for integrating exposure data of various resolution (country-wide aggregates, region-specific aggregates, building-by-building information) in a fully probabilistic sense, creating fully probabilistic exposure indicators for risk and loss computations

Your qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent
Advanced experience with Python and experience in Python package development
Advanced experience with relational databases (PostgreSQL and PostGIS, SpatiaLite), QGIS, web technologies (e.g. Javascript), and visualization tools
Advanced experience with geospatial processing in QGIS and other open-source software stacks
Experience in the use and maintenance of GitLab/GitHub and continuous integration
Advanced experience with OpenStreetMap data, in particular building data, and the OpenStreetMap software stack
Excellent writing and communication skills in English language
Experience in working in an international, interdisciplinary research team
Willingness to work in a Linux 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
Flexible working hours and conditions
Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work
Institute day-care centre on site
Work place within walking distance of Potsdam main train station

Start date: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: 30.06.2026 (project end)
Salary: The salary grouping is determined by the conditions of the Collective Wage Agreement “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)” and the appropriate personal qualifications. In addition, there is the possibility of granting bonuses above the standard pay scale as well as a monthly skilled labour allowance.
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 by 21^st April 2024. Please use our online application form only.

Apply

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.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Dr. Danijel Schorlemmer either via email at danijel.schorlemmer@gfz-potsdam.de or phone +49 (0)331-6264-1207. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.

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