PhD Student (f/m/d) Sources of Li, Sn and W in European Variscan Terranes

Organization unit:
Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology

Place of work/ Working hours:
Freiberg
19,5 h/week

Hire date:
1 January 2027

Limitation:
36 months

For any questions, do not hesitate to ask:
Ms. Marie Guilcher

Deadline:
13 November 2026

Online application
English / German
Job-Id: 2026/130 (2310)

At HZDR, we promote and value diversity among our employees. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds regardless of gender, ethnic and social origin, belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability.

Helmholtz-Zentrum
Dresden-Rossendorf
Bautzner Landstraße 400
01328 Dresden

PhD Student (f/m/d) Sources of Li, Sn and W in European Variscan Terranes

With cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, around 1,500 employees from more than 70 nations at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are committed to mastering the great challenges facing society today.

At the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF), innovative technologies for the circular economy are developed to provide and use mineral and metal-bearing raw materials more efficiently and to recycle them in an environmentally friendly way.

The Department of Analytics is looking for a PhD Student (f/m/d) Sources of Li, Sn and W in European Variscan Terranes. 

Your tasks

• Geochemical and lithological characterization of potential protoliths for granitic magmatism
• Mineral characterisation using a range of analytical methods (e.g., EPMA, LA-ICP-MS…)
• Analysis, interpretation, and documentation of mineralogical and geochemical results
• Critical evaluation of protolith contributions to ore-forming processes
• Development of vectoring tools
• Testing and validation of vectoring tools at selected field sites in the Variscan Orogen
• Publication and presentation of research findings in scientific journals and at project meetings, workshops, and conferences

Your profile

• Completed university studies (Master/Diploma) in the field of Economic Geology, Mineralogy, Geochemistry or similar or related field
• Knowledge on magmatic systems and associated ore deposits is required
• Relevant documented experience in conducting field-based geological research is required
• Relevant experience in the use of bulk and local analytical methods (e.g., XRF, EPMA, LA-ICPMS) is required
• Experience with the use of relevant modelling software for magmatic / magmatic-hydrothermal processes will be an advantage
• Excellent team-working skills
• Ability to work in a structured and solution-oriented manner
• Ability to work in the field
• Excellent English language skills are required
• German, French or Czech language skills will be of an advantage

Our offer

• A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment
• Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities
• A structured PhD program with a comprehensive range of continuing education and networking opportunities - more information about the PhD program at the HZDR can be found here
• Salary and social benefits in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund) including 30 days of paid holiday leave, company pension scheme (VBL)
• Depending on the personal qualifications, the candidate may be classified in salary group 13 according to TVöD-Bund
• We support a good work-life balance with the possibility of part-time employment, mobile working and flexible working hours
• Numerous company health management offerings
• Employee discounts with well-known providers via the platform Corporate Benefits
• An employer subsidy for the "Deutschland-Ticket Jobticket"

We look forward to receiving your application documents (including cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, etc.), which you can submit via our online-application-system.  

Contact

Team Recruiting
Email: [email protected]

Job Vacancies at the Helmholtz Association