GFZ is Germany's national centre for solid Earth research, part of the Helmholtz Association, with around 1,200 employees and some 500 guest researchers. It advances understanding of dynamic Earth processes to address global challenges, from mitigating natural hazards and sustaining habitats amid global change to responsibly managing georesources.
Section 3.2 Organic and Earth Surface Geochemistry (Department "Geochemistry") seeks a Doctoral Researcher for the Iso-Orbi project: using high-resolution mass spectrometry for simultaneous multi-element stable isotope analysis of fatty acids in a paleoclimate context. The candidate will use high-resolution mass spectrometry to study the compound-specific stable oxygen isotopic composition (d18O) of isolated lipids and assess the practicality of simultaneously analysing carbon, oxygen and hydrogen isotope systems. Work begins with refining an established instrumental method alongside extensive validation of wet-chemical workup procedures, followed by application to lake and marine sediments to evaluate fatty acid d18O patterns across climate transitions and to assess lipid d18O information in the context of vital effects.
Responsibilities: method development/improvement on an Orbitrap MS; workup of rock samples and extensive wet-chemical processing; instrumental analysis and evaluation of multi-element isotope signatures of fatty acids in a paleoclimate context; creation of in-house reference standards; data processing in R and advanced statistical evaluation.
Essential qualifications: Master's degree or equivalent in Organic/Analytical Chemistry, Geochemistry, Geology or Environmental Sciences; active interest in paleoclimate; experience analysing organic compounds; excellent written and spoken English; teamwork in an interdisciplinary environment; proactive and independent character. Desirable: Orbitrap mass spectrometry, stable oxygen isotope analysis, paleoclimatology, data handling in R, category B driving licence.
Start date: 1 October 2026. Fixed-term: 36 months. Salary group 13 (TVoeD Bund). Working hours: part-time 75% (currently 29.25 h/week). Place of work: Potsdam. GFZ promotes diversity, gives preferential consideration to severely disabled applicants of equal suitability, and strongly encourages women to apply.
Closing date: 2 September 2026
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply online only via the GFZ online application form: https://gfz.concludis.de/bewerber/landingpage.php?prj=580P11412&b=12&lang=en_GB&ie=1&oid= — applications by 2nd September 2026. Required documents: CV (including names and contact details of at least two referees); letter of motivation; grades, transcripts and certificates of a master's degree in a single document (or, if not available, confirmation from the institution on the completed degree by the application deadline). Reference Number 11412. For queries on the field of activity, contact Dr. Stefanie Poetz (stefanie.poetz@gfz.de); for general application-process questions, call the recruiting team on +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.