The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for geosphere research. As a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres we are part of the largest scientific organization in Germany. With approximately 1,300 employees our key mission is to secure a profound understanding of the systems and processes of solid Earth, to develop strategies and options for action in addressing global change and its impacts on a regional level, to understand natural hazards and to minimize associated risks, to ensure the sustainable provision of energy and raw materials for a high-tech society and to evaluate the influence of human activity on system Earth.

As a partner in Geo.X, the GFZ has access to an excellent network of other geoscience institutions in Potsdam and Berlin. This largest regional concentration of geoscientific competence in Europe offers first-class cooperation and development opportunities. 

For section 2.1 Physics of Earthquakes and Volcanoes (department “Geophysics”), we are looking for a:

Software Engineer/ Developer for Seismology and Volcanology (f/m/x)

Reference Number 5544

Applicants are invited for a highly motivated advanced scientific software developer position to join our team and take the technical lead of our Wave Physics and Tool Development Lab on a tenure track position. The post includes the development and maintenance of open source software tools and processing solutions of waveform data, including real-time data acquisition systems. Our innovative developments are dedicated to full waveform and large data processing, methods of synthetic wavefield generation and efficient database handling, user platform developments and novel inversion and optimization techniques. The candidate can build on decade-long experience in seismological high-end scientific software development in collaboration with the UPCODES Lab (University of Potsdam Code Development for Seismology) with a flagship project as the Pyrocko ecosystem as one example.

Your responsibilities and opportunities:

• Technical lead of the software development in our Wave Physics and Tool Development Lab
• Design and implement scientific software tools in close cooperation with scientists and students
• Develop batch and interactive Linux programs and web services in multiple languages including Python, C++, Fortran, Rust, Javascript
• Maintain and troubleshoot existing tools
• Write documentation for newly developed and existing tools
• Build and maintain continuous integration and deployment workflows for our open source developments
• Automate analysis procedures for seismic, DAS, GPS, InSAR and other geophysical data
• Develop software for data analysis as well as user-friendly interfaces for existing codes
• Monitor real-time systems and online services and minimize down-times
• Assist in maintenance of data-acquisition systems
• Interact with software  users in the section and worldwide to gather details on existing bugs and desirable improvements
• Produce functional specifications and designs in response to requirements for changes to software products or for new and custom developments
• Develop and test software products to meet agreed requirements
• Provide software training for our staff members and students
• Review code contributions of coworkers and collaborators
• Contribute to field work and data acquisition activities

Your qualifications:

• MSc in Geophysics/Physics/Informatics/Software Engineering
• Advanced knowledge in multi-language programming and open source tool development, strong skills in Python and C or Rust
• Preferably geophysical/seismological background and familiar with toolboxes as e.g. Pyrocko, ObsPy, GMT
• Preferably experiences in continuous multichannel data processing
• Demonstrated experience in multiple operating systems, primarily Linux
• Experience in system administration
• Experience in CSS, HTML, Javascript, including web services (front- and backend)
• Good written and oral skills in English

Start date: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: 2 Jahre (mit der Option auf Entfristung)
Salary: The position is classed up to pay 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: 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
• Flexible working hours and conditions
• Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work
• Institute day-care centre on site 

Have we piqued your interest?

If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 16th January 2022. Please use our online application form only.

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@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@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.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Prof. Dr. Torsten Dahm either via email at torsten.dahm@gfz-potsdam.de or under +49 331 288-1200. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact Ms Buge under +49 (0)331-288-28787.