Postdoctoral Researcher

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 3.4 Reactive Fluids and Geomaterials (department "Geochemistry"), we are looking for a:

Postdoctoral Researcher (f_m_x) - Silicate Glasses and Melts
Reference Number 10924

The postdoctoral researcher will be part of the CLEAR group. The project is funded by the European Research Council ("Glass2Melt: Universal Model of the Density of Deep Silicate Melts").

Within the research group CLEAR, we endeavour to understand large-scale geological processes that operate deep inside planets. Our approach is to recreate high-pressure-temperature conditions in the laboratory and examine various physical properties of geomaterials (minerals, rocks, glasses, and melts) in situ using state-of-the-art spectroscopic techniques. We then use these properties in collaboration with geodynamicists to create numerical models of planets.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual who would want to be part of a five-year research program to quantify the density of silicate glasses and melts at high-pressure conditions. The primary research focus will be on measuring the thermoelastic response (e.g., the thermal expansion coefficient) of silicate glasses and melts in the resistive- and laser-heated diamond anvil cell using supercontinuum-based interferometry and other optical techniques. The resulting data will quantify the effect of temperature on the volume of multicomponent silicate glasses across the pressure range of the Earth's mantle, and contribute to the foundation of the universal silicate melt density model.

The successful candidate will further develop the all-optical method for density measurements in the diamond anvil cell, and collaborate with the existing group members as well as with Prof. Dr. Bjoern Winkler (Goethe University Frankfurt), Dr. Ilya Veksler (GFZ), and Dr. Sergio Speziale (GFZ) to gain deep insights into the composition-structure-property relation in the silicate glass system.

Your responsibilities:

• Develop an experimental setup for Resistive-Heated Diamond Anvil Cell research in the existing optical spectroscopy laboratories
• Volumetric measurements in Resistive- and Laser-heated Diamond Anvil Cells on silicate glasses
• Improve the all-optical method for density measurements in the diamond anvil cell
• Proactive scientific interaction within the research group and with other groups at the GFZ
• Report progress regularly at group meetings, domestic, and international conferences
• Publication of the results in peer-reviewed journals

Your qualifications:

• A Master's degree or equivalent and a PhD degree in Geosciences, Physics, Chemistry, or a related discipline
• Experience with Resistive-Heated Diamond Anvil Cells
• Strong interest in glass/melt-physics and challenging experimental work
• Basic knowledge of optical, infrared, and Raman spectroscopies
• Experience with bench-top optical setups
• Basic programming skills would be beneficial
• Proficiency in written and spoken English

Start date: As soon as possible

Fixed-term: 2 years

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

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
• Institute day-care centre on site
• Working at the Albert Einstein Science Park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
• Workplace within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus

Have we piqued your interest?

If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 16th December 2025.

Required documents: letter of motivation, CV, references, certificates

Please, indicate specifically how you fit the required qualifications, as well as your motivations for becoming a member of the Glass2Melt team, in a letter of motivation submitted with your application. Applications without a clearly identified motivation will not be considered. In addition, provide a list of at least two references, including their contact details, who can evaluate your scientific work.

Please use our online application form only.

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. We also promote an inclusive working environment in which everyone can fully develop their own talents. 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. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer.

"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. We among others do this through our gender equality plan and the cascade model measures which we actively implement to enable sustainable equal opportunities in academic career paths. The GFZ thus committedly strives for gender equality in science, including in leadership positions, and strongly encourages women to apply.

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. Sergey Lobanov either via email or phone If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number

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