GFZ Discovery Fellowships 2026

The call for GFZ Discovery Fellowships 2026 is planned before the summer break.

For questions beforehand please contact:

Franziska Alberg (gfzdiscoveryfellow-application@gfz.de)

Highly innovative / high risk projects are supported across GFZ sections and PoF-Topics

The "GFZ Discovery Fund "offers up to two PostDoc positions per year for a duration of three years for young scientists that aim at adding to the current and future direction of GFZ’s research.

Successful candidates are expected to define innovative scientific projects and to identify future fields of research within the GFZ research sections. The research topic can be freely chosen, but must be assigned to at least one of the GFZ’s Topics of the Helmholtz Association PoF IV (program-oriented funding) period, have an interdisciplinary approach, and are carried out in close cooperation with at least two GFZ sections.

Requirements:

  • Candidates should be an early career scientist from outside or within the GFZ, holding a PhD in Geosciences or related fields awarded less than 6 years (when starting the project the Doctoral Certificate must be received) - an extension is accepted for approved time(s) of parental leave.
  • You should have an excellent record (publications, preparatory works etc.)
  • Your proposal should be linked to at least one of the PoF IV Program Topics within the GFZs research environment (Topic 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 or MESI). The complete PoF IV program can be obtained by request to Franziska Alberg.
  • You need at least the support of two GFZ scientific sections ensuring the interdisciplinarity of your proposed research project.
  • The proposal - focusing on innovation and interdisciplinarity - is the core of your application.
  • It is complemented by a motivation letter and a CV and the
  • "Section Head Statements" from the hosting section and at least one of the supporting sections at GFZ.