The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for research into the geosphere. With around 1,650 employees, we develop a sound understanding of systems and processes of the solid Earth as well as strategies and options for action to counter global change, understand natural hazards and sustainably secure energy and raw material requirements.

Applications are invited for a research staff member to become part of the Interface Geochemistry and the Potsdam lmaging and Spectral Analysis (PISA) facility team.

The appointed researcher will coordinate the SEM work and develop novel sample preparation methods. She/he/they will work on a series of conventional and cryogenic sample preparation and SEM micro-spectroscopic projects spanning across biogeochemistry, geobiology, materials science, chemical physics, mineral physics and inorganic (geo-)chemistry. For full details of our research please see on our Interface Geochemistry webpage.

The instruments that will be within the scientific responsibility of the post holder are: a Zeiss Ultra Plus and a FEI Quanta 3D (FIB-SEM) as well as various sample handling and preparation methods.

Your responsibilities:

• Contribute to SEM data collection and analysis for a variety of academic collaborations within and outside the GFZ
• Coordinate the scientific work as well as use and maintenance of the SEM microscopes within PISA
• Develop, validate and implement novel geo-bio-material specimen preparation methods for conventional as well as cryo-sample handling and analyses
• Application of various state-of-the-art multi-modal and multi-dimensional SEM methods for the analysis of diverse geo(bio)material characteristics
• Publish in international peer-reviewed journals
• Present research results at internal, national and international scientific meetings
• Lead and/or considerably contribute to 3rd party proposals
• Co-supervise Master's and PhD students
• Developing own research direction is strongly encouraged 

Your qualifications:

• Master´s degree (or equivalent) and a PhD degree in mineralogy, biogeochemistry, materials science or equivalent
• An absolute must is a demonstrated strong focus on scanning electron micro-spectroscopic research and documented skills in imaging/analyses of complex materials with Thermo Fisher and/or Zeiss microscopes
• At least 3 years of electron microscope maintenance and lab management responsibilities
• Knowledge of and experience in various SEM sample preparation techniques including cryo-methods
• Proven track record of achievements (publications, 3rd party funding acquisition, conference/workshop presentations etc)
• Experience in working on multiple projects simultaneously
• Capacity for interdisciplinary and international teamwork and excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated experience in the supervision of students
• Proficiency in spoken and written English, German is an asset