Information Security Engineer (f_m_x)

About the Position

The GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences is one of the world's leading institutions in the field of geosciences. As part of the Helmholtz Association, Germany's largest research organisation, we address global challenges such as natural hazards, climate change, and the sustainable use of resources. Our vision: “Taking the pulse of the Earth to safeguard a habitable planet.”

In Department 5 – Geoinformation, we are looking for an:

Information Security Engineer (f_m_x)

Reference Number 11444

GFZ has many years of experience in providing digital services to the international scientific community. This is built on an IT environment tailored to the requirements of scientific research settings, combining technical infrastructure, secure operations, and sustainable service provision. Particular expertise lies in networking, identity and access management, and IT security.

Within the Helmholtz Federated IT Services (HIFIS), this experience is now to be transferred to further research fields. Together with the Helmholtz Centres, we are developing practical standards and implementation guidance that strengthen the cyber resilience of federated research IT.

For this purpose, we are looking for someone who combines technical understanding with security governance. The position reports to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of GFZ and translates between technical and information security - both within GFZ and across the Helmholtz Association. The focus is on architectural assessment rather than depth in individual technologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop technical minimum standards and reference architectures together with Helmholtz partners and support their implementation
• Assess architectures for protection requirements, threats, and failure scenarios, and carry out architecture reviews
• Assess to what extent GFZ and the Helmholtz Centres are affected by the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), derive the required implementation measures, and advise software development teams
• Form the professional bridge to the CISO: put technical matters into context and translate ISMS requirements into actionable specifications
• Contribute actively to handling IT security incidents and IT emergencies at GFZ and conduct emergency exercises
• Develop best practices and guidelines and prepare complex security topics in a way that suits the respective audience

Requirements

Essential Qualifications:

• Academic university degree (Master's degree or German university Diplom) in computer science, IT security, or a comparable discipline
• Several years of experience in information security or security architecture, as well as the ability to assess IT architectures and to explain technical matters appropriately for the respective audience. Specialist depth in individual technologies is not required
• An understanding of modern IT architectures: data centre operations, virtualization, network, and cloud infrastructures
• Sound knowledge of the relevant standards and regulations (BSI IT-Grundschutz, ISO/IEC 2700x, NIS2, Cyber Resilience Act) and of IT emergency management in accordance with BSI Standard 200-4
• Very good communication and advisory skills when dealing with both technical and non-technical audiences; German at level C2 and English at level C1 (CEFR), spoken and written

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience in the research, higher education, or public sector, as well as with federated and open-source environments
• Experience in advising software development teams on secure development
• Certifications with an architectural and hands-on focus, e.g., SABSA, TOGAF, CCSP, CISSP, BSI IT-Grundschutz Practitioner, or ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer
• Knowledge of BCM, IT emergency planning, and recovery strategies for central IT components

Passion and potential matter to us!

Please feel free to apply, even if your experience does not match every point in the job description.

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
• Working at the Albert Einstein Science Park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
• Workplace within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus

About the Company

The GFZ actively promotes diversity and equal opportunities. We explicitly welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age, and physical or neurodiverse abilities.

“Diversity in perspectives” is one of GFZ's core values. As an integral part of supporting diversity at our centre, we actively promote women in science and in leadership positions. To know more about our Diversity policies, contact the diversity team. If you need more information about our gender equality policies, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer and check our Equal Opportunities Plan & Cascade Model.

We look forward to applications from people who enjoy working in diverse teams, where everyone feels respected and valued and can fully develop their own talents. Applicants with severe disabilities and equalised persons will receive preferential consideration if equally qualified.

Start date: As soon as possible

Fixed-term: 2 years (with the option to apply for a permanent employment contract within the fixed-term period)

Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund”. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications.

Working hours: Full-time (currently 39 h/week); The position is generally suitable for part-time work.

Place of work: Potsdam

Application

Have we piqued your interest?

If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 27th October 2026. Please use our online application form only.

Required documents: CV and cover letter, certificates/grades

Contact

Franca Buge

Human Resources

+49 331 6264-28787

Email

Tina Woydowski-Parzych

Human Resources

+49 331 6264-28787

Email

Sabine Bacher

Human Resources

+49 331 6264-28787

Email

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Important Technical Note | June 2026

Currently, email addresses associated with domains such as @hotmail.com, @outlook.com, or @live.de may experience occasional delays or restrictions in receiving messages. To ensure smooth communication during the application process, we recommend using an alternative email address and providing an additional contact method (e.g., a phone number).