Postdoc position (f_m_x) - multi-scale LIDAR and European biomass monitoring
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”.
Reference Number 10263
You are an innovative researcher willing to contribute to the next generation of global land monitoring and Earth observation applications? Are you experienced in processing and analysing large Earth observation data sets and integrating them with reference data? Are you interested to combine LIDAR-data with other data sources and develop tools and products to novel Earth Observations data serving policies as part of an EU-funded research project? And are you an enthusiastic team player willing to join us for exciting collaborative research and expand your scientific career? Then we like to get you on board!
Your research will focus on developing methods and tools to utilise the scientific potential of the next level of Earth Observation data (i.e., large area and multi-scale LIDAR and other (Sentinel) time-series data; also ground/reference data of different origins) and to provide innovative tools and products as a global, open-source asset to users and stakeholders.
As a researcher in the Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics Section of the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, you will work on the interface of different working groups and contribute to innovative ideas. Our section strives to establish remote sensing as a core method for Earth Sciences and geo- and nature-based solutions. You will be able to benefit from the broad expertise and projects within the section, enhance collaboration and contribute to an innovative environment for a diverse group of people and ideas. Do you want to know more about our work? Check out our page with news, recent publications, and projects.
Your responsibilities:
- Conducting innovative research in the use of multiple LIDAR and ground-based data sources for forest height, structure and biomass estimation
- Designing and performing experiments
- Analysing data and interpreting results
- Preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals
- Presenting research findings at conferences and seminars
- Participating in project meetings
- Mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students as appropriate
Your qualifications:
- Master`s degree (or equivalent) and a PhD degree (or near completion) with a proven international scientific track record in the field of remote sensing, large-area processing, and analysis (incl. LIDAR, ground/satellite data integration) or a closely related scientific field
- Awareness of how biomass monitoring using LIDAR data (combined with other data sources) can enhance monitoring, reporting and estimation supporting climate actions
- Awareness of how novel Earth observation approaches can contribute to improving global land monitoring and sustainability
- Experience in large area Earth observations, large-area computing, time series methods, AI and data science methods, and uncertainty analysis
- Open minded for collaborative research and connecting different fields
- International scientific profile and interaction with professionals and societal partners in the development of research and outreach
Start date: 1st May 2025
Fixed-term: 42 months
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 benefit@work
- Institute day-care centre on site
- Working at the Albert Einstein science park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
- Work place within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus
Have we piqued your interest?
Required documents: CV, letter of motivation, list of publications
Desirable documents: references, certificates (grades)
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 Martin Herold 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.