Beschreibung

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 [1.1 Space Geodetic Techniques](https://www.gfz.de/en/section/space-geodetic-techniques/overview)(department [“Geodesy”](https://www.gfz.de/en/departments/geodesy)), we are looking for a new member for our open research group "Astrogeodesy":

Postdoctoral researcher (f_m_x) on Modeling source structure for the new generation geodetic VLBI

Reference Number 10744

The successful candidate will contribute to the [Astrogeodesy project](https://www.gfz.de/en/press/news/details/dr-minghui-xu-erhaelt-ein-erc-starting-grant) (1st May 2023 to 30th April 2028), funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme. Astrogeodesy aims to improve the precision of geodetic products from the next-generation very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) system, named VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS) by (1) deriving structure images of the Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) directly from VGOS observations, (2) aligning the images over time and frequency through relative astrometric observations, and (3) calibrating VGOS observations by using the aligned images to model the quasars to be really point-like anchors on the sky. This project is dedicated to resolving the longstanding challenge in geodetic VLBI, which is the systematic error caused by source structure (i.e., angular distribution of the brightness of the AGNs). High motivation for working with simultaneous multi-frequency VLBI observations and achieving the full potential of VGOS observations is desired.

Your responsibilities:

- Develop pipelines for imaging VGOS data and measuring core shift, investigate image alignment, and understand structure evolution over time for the AGNs in VGOS observations
- Explore VGOS data for tropospheric turbulence on a short time scale, such as a few seconds to ten minutes, and ionospheric parameter estimation
- Validate the results from VGOS with GNSS, numerical weather model, and water vapor radiometer
- Collaborative work in a highly interdisciplinary and international team
- Present your results at international conferences and project meetings
- Publish your results in international scientific journals

Your qualifications:

- A Master`s degree or equivalent and a PhD degree in VLBI, radio astronomy, astrophysics, astrometry, geodesy, or a related field
- Good understanding of the estimation process and astrophysical/geophysical models
- Strong background and publication record in the development and application of VLBI observation in astronomy, astrometry, or geodesy
- Excellent command of the English language
- Strong skills in scientific programming with Python, Fortran, and/or other languages

Start date: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: 2 Jahre
Salary: Die Stelle ist nach TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost) mit der Entgeltgruppe 13 bewertet. Die Eingruppierung erfolgt nach den tariflichen Bestimmungen und den entsprechenden persönlichen Voraussetzungen.
Working hours: Vollzeit (derzeit 39 h/Woche); Die Stelle ist grundsätzlich teilzeitgeeignet.
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-Center
- 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
- 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 15th October 2025.

Requested documents: CV, letter of motivation, references

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](https://www.gfz.de/en/career/the-gfz-as-an-employer/employee-representation).

“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](https://www.gfz.de/en/career/the-gfz-as-an-employer/equal-opportunities) 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. Minghui Xu](mailto:minghui.xu@gfz.de) 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.