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.
PhD (f_m_x) - Numerical Modelling of radiation belts
Reference Number 9362
You will be working on the MIPT projekt: Understanding the acceleration of ultra-relativistic electrons and its dependence on the plasma density
Section 2.7 Space Physics and Space Weather is working on understanding the dynamical evolution of the hazardous space radiation environment and developing tools for specification and prediction of the adverse effects of the space environment utilizing physics-based numerical models and data assimilation.
The MIPT project: The overarching science objective of the research unit will be to better understand how the magnetosphere, ionosphere, plasmasphere, and thermosphere are coupled to each other. The complexity of this system, which covers altitudes from tens to tens of thousands of km and over time scales from minutes to decades, requires an interdisciplinary team with experts in different domains, expertise in modeling and observations, as well as established collaborative ties to the international community.
Your responsibilities:
The successful candidate should have extensive experience in scientific programming. Job responsibilities will include:
- Utilize existing data of measurements and codes to calculate Phase Space Density (PSD) as a function of adiabatic invariants
- Investigate the effect of wave-particle interactions on the dynamic evolution of radiation belt electrons
- Study the influence of low-energy plasma on the dynamics of relativistic and ultra-relativistic electrons
- Develop scientific codes
- Maintain data and code repositories
- Develop visualizations
- Develop various programming tools for scientific codes and data analysis
- Document and test existing codes
- Adopt scientific codes for different scientific problems
- Write manuscripts that will be published in peer-reviewed journals
- Collaborate within the MIPT Research Unit
Your qualifications:
- Master/diploma in physics, mathematics, or related natural sciences
- Proficiency in scientific programming using Python or MATLAB
- Work experience with Unix operating systems
- Knowledge about code architecture and design patterns
- Knowledge of C++ is a plus
- Experience with machine learning is a plus
- Knowledge of space physics is preferred, but candidates with exceptional computing skills and no background in space physics will also be considered
- Ability to work with large data sets
- Ability to work within a team
- Attention to detail and organizational skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Excellent English 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
- 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
Fixed-term: 3 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
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.
