Postdoc; f_m_x Re-Entry Position

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”.

You had a professional family-related break and are now looking for an option to restart your career
?

The GFZ endeavours to facilitate a return to scientific work for post-doctoral scientists who have taken a career break (maternity leave, parental leave, and periods of caring for a relative). For this reason, every year the GFZ offers a re-entry position for up to 2 years aimed at (former) GFZ-Postdocs.

• The application is made from an ongoing, inactive or a former work relationship with the GFZ
• Your professional sabbatical is at least 6 months, and, in the case of current employment, the remaining contractual term is a maximum of 3 months
• Upload your detailed CV with a list of publications, certificates and references
• Submit information on the scientific concept and work plans for the requested time period (up to 3 DIN A4 pages)
• Provide details of the planned weekly working hours and your desired start date
• Provide a statement by the future workgroup leader or Section Head

The hiring decision is made in accordance with the regulations of the GFZ, with the participation of the corresponding bodies (Equal Opportunities Officer, Staff Council, Disabled Persons' Representative Council), the Head of HR, and the Executive Board.

• 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

Start date: Flexible
Fixed-term: Min. 12 months up to max. 24 months
Salary: This position has been assessed as being in salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)”. The salary group will be determined by the conditions of the collective wage agreement and the appropriate personal qualifications.
Working hours: Part-time / Full-time
Place of work: Potsdam, Oberpfaffenhofen, Niemegk (depending on the respective employment contract)

If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 15th February 2026
.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. Ute Weckmann either via email or phone
-3474. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number
-28787.