About Position/Job
The GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany, invites applications for a Research Associate (f/m/x) in Political and Social Sciences, Spatial and Planning Sciences, as part of the LINK Urban Digital Twinning (LINKUDT) project. This fixed-term, 75% part-time position until 31 October 2029 focuses on the development and application of Urban Digital Twins (UDTs) to support climate adaptation and sustainable urban development. The successful candidate will conduct participatory and engagement research, coordinate living lab activities, and contribute to policy recommendations, knowledge transfer, and transdisciplinary collaboration. This role offers a unique opportunity to work with leading German research institutions, including TU Dresden, 52°North, and the nexus Institute, combining social science, governance, and digital urban planning expertise.
Position/Job Details
- Position: Research Associate (f/m/x)
- Institution: GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung
- Department/Unit: Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS)
- Research field: Political & Social Sciences, Spatial & Planning Sciences
- Location: Potsdam, Germany
- Number of posts: 1
- Job Type: Part-time (75%), fixed-term until 31 October 2029
- Start Date (Anticipated): As soon as possible
- Working Hours: 29.25 h/week
- Salary Range: Salary group 13 TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)
- Required Degree/Diploma: MA/MSc (PhD advantageous)
Research Area
- Urban Digital Twins for climate adaptation
- Sustainability transformations
- Participation & engagement research
- Governance and data infrastructures
- Policy development and knowledge transfer
- Transdisciplinary collaboration
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- Excellent university degree (MA/MSc) in political/social sciences, sociology, communication, spatial/planning sciences, geography, or socioinformatics
- Knowledge of participatory approaches, stakeholder engagement, and qualitative methods (interviews, focus groups, document analysis)
- Proven experience producing academic publications and transfer outputs
- Fluent German and excellent English
- Strong organisational, intercultural, and communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- PhD in a related field
- Experience with digital planning tools, municipal governance, or open data
- Competence in co-design workshops, visualisation tools, and civic participation initiatives
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct systematic reviews and syntheses of UDT research in climate adaptation
- Identify and analyse key stakeholders in project regions
- Support living labs: interviews, surveys, and participant observation
- Design and implement workshops, discussion fora, and networking activities
- Develop and maintain knowledge platforms and training materials
- Co-author scientific studies, concept papers, and policy briefs
- Science communication: articles, presentations, newsletters, project website
- Participate in cross-project coordination, dissemination, and reporting
Application Process
How to Apply
Submit applications online only including:
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Optional: references, certificates, grades
Submit via email or online portal: bewerbungen@gfz-potsdam.de
For inquiries:
- Dr. Jörg Radtke: email
- GFZ Recruiting Team: +49 (0) 331-6264-28787
Important Dates
- Application Opens: 13 November 2025
- Deadline: 3 December 2025, 22:59 UTC
- Interview Date: To be communicated
Useful Links
- Institution Website: GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung
- Official Notification Link: click here
- Apply now: bewerbungen@gfz-potsdam.de
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