Research Staff (f_m_x) in Electron Microscopy Reference Number 7098

The appointed researcher will join a team of academics, technicians and staff scientists and help run the facility for collaborative research across a broad range of geomaterial projects. The Potsdam Imaging and Spectral Analysis (PISA) Facility currently houses: 1 high-resolution Zeiss Ultra Plus scanning electron microscope (SEM) and 2 Focused Ion Beams combined with SEM (FIB-SEM) instruments (FEI Helios G4 UC and FEI Quanta 3D) and 2 high-resolution transmission electron microscopes (TEM, FEI Tecnai and Thermo Fisher Themis Z), as well as various sample preparation and handling options including cryo-mode SEM and cryo-TEM options. The research topics that our team tackles and for which electron beam analyses are needed are highly diverse and span across biogeochemistry, geobiology, materials science, chemical physics, mineral physics and inorganic (geo‑)chemistry.

The selected candidate will work on various aspects related to the high-resolution characterization of inorganic and biogenic materials that the wider Interface Geochemistry team and its collaborators focus on. She/he/they will have access to and employ a series of conventional and cryogenic micro-spectroscopic characterization approaches to derive fundamental knowledge about molecular level interface processes that span from nucleation, growth and transformation of phases synthesized in laboratory experiments and all the way to complex natural terrestrial or space materials. She/he/they will be integrated into all the instrumental microscopy work but will primarily be responsible for the SEM aspects of the facility. She/he/they will be responsible for training users and coordinating the maintenance of the scanning electron beam instruments. Developing own research direction is encouraged.

Interested candidates please detail in a cover letter your fit to the below outlined responsibilities and qualifications (max 2 pages) and add a CV, publication list and a research statement (1 page).

Your responsibilities:

• Application of various state-of-the-art multimodal and multidimensional electron microscopy methods for the acquisition and analysis of diverse geo(bio)materials with a target focus on SEM approaches
• Develop, validate and implement novel specimen preparation methods for cryo-sample handling and analyses
• Contribute to data collection and analysis for a variety of academic collaborations within and outside the GFZ
• Help maintain the SEM microscopes within the PISA facility
• Publish in international peer-reviewed journals
• Present research results at internal, national and international scientific meetings
• Lead and/or considerably contribute to 3rd party proposals
• Co-supervise Master's and PhD students

Your qualifications:

• Master's and PhD degree in mineralogy, biogeochemistry, materials science or equivalent but an absolute must is a demonstrated strong focus and experience in scanning electron microscopic research
• At least 3 years of well-documented hands-on expertise in operating, maintaining and managing and carrying out high quality research using scanning electron microscopic instruments
• Documented skills in imaging/analyses of complex inorganic and geobio materials and interfaces
• Knowledge of and experience in various SEM sample preparation techniques
• Knowledge of and experience with cryo-SEM methods for inorganic/geobiological materials is an advantage
• Proven track record of achievements (publications, 3rd party funding acquisition, conference/workshop presentations, etc.)
• Experience in working on multiple projects simultaneously
• Capacity for interdisciplinary and international teamwork and excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated experience in the supervision of students
• Proficiency in spoken and written English, German is an asset

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