Scientist (f_m_x) in Remote Sensing and Forest Biomass Research Full-time NEW

Scientist (f_m_x) in Remote Sensing and Forest Biomass Research

The GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences is seeking a highly motivated Scientist (f_m_x). The position is part of the project “CCI BIOMASS – Research into forest dynamics and carbon storage in biomass”. CCI BIOMASS, funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), is designed to enhance our understanding of forest dynamics and biomass carbon pools through cutting-edge radar technology by underpinning the cal/val and user support for ESA's BIOMASS satellite mission.

As part of an interdisciplinary and international research environment, you will contribute to cutting-edge scientific research focusing on forest biomass dynamics, forest loss, and regrowth processes using large-scale Earth observation data.

Your Responsibilities:

• Analysis of global land cover datasets to develop statistically robust reference datasets on forest growth after deforestation, forest fires, and fragmentation
• Development of scalable methodologies for global stratification maps capturing forest loss and reforestation areas
• Scientific contributions to the ESA Biomass CCI Project
• Planning, coordination, and implementation of research activities in vegetation remote sensing with a focus on biomass monitoring
• Development and application of methods for:
  • time series analysis
  • forest monitoring
  • satellite data processing
  • integration of reference and satellite datasets
  • cloud computing and big data analytics
• Interpretation, visualisation, and publication of scientific results
• Presentation of research findings at national and international conferences, workshops, and symposia
• Collaboration with academic partners and international research institutions
• Support and scientific supervision of students, interns, and doctoral researchers
• Contribution to scientific publications, project proposals, and network development within the international Earth observation community

About You:

Essential Qualifications:

• A completed Master's degree in Remote Sensing, Geoinformatics, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Computer Science, or a related discipline
• Strong expertise in:
  • remote sensing and Earth observation
  • large-scale/global vegetation monitoring
  • statistical analysis and data science
  • forest biomass and carbon change analysis
• Experience with processing and integration of remote sensing and reference datasets
• Programming skills in Python and/or R
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Very good written and spoken English skills

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience with cloud computing environments and big data analytics
• Knowledge of scientific publishing and interpretation of research results
• Experience in project management and international scientific collaboration is advantageous

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
• Workplace within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus

Start date: As soon as possible

Fixed-term: 12 months

Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund”. 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? If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 19th July 2026. Please use our online application form only.

Required documents: motivation letter, CV, certificates/grades

Important Technical Note: Currently, email addresses associated with domains such as @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, or @live.de may experience occasional delays or restrictions in receiving messages. To ensure smooth communication during the application process, we recommend using an alternative email address and providing an additional contact method (e.g., a phone number).

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. If you have any 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.

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