Website Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research,
You will contribute to two large Horizon Europe initiatives. Beyond Arctic PASSION strengthens the Arctic Observing System of Systems by improving marine and cryosphere observations, integrating autonomous platforms, Indigenous and local knowledge, and interoperable FAIR/CARE/TRUST-compliant data systems. The project SYNCHRONY establishes a coordinated Southern Ocean and Antarctic observatory in support of Antarctica InSync.
The position will focus on biodiversity & ecosystem connectivity to monitor climate-change and human impacts on Southern Ocean biodiversity. Across both projects, the position will contribute to polar biodiversity monitoring, data synthesis, indicator development, and the translation of ecosystem observations into accessible products for research, management and policy.
- Compile, curate and analyse existing Central Arctic Ocean and Southern Ocean datasets on fish distribution and ecosystem parameters, including hydroacoustics, catch data, eDNA, imaging data, phytoplankton and zooplankton
- Contribute to harmonized FAIR-compliant data products from autonomous observatories and other national or international research programmes for scientific, policy, and stakeholder purposes, and support data flows into Copernicus Arctic Hub, EMODnet, GBIF/OBIS, PANGAEA and other polar data repositories
- Prepare scientific publications based on the analysis of these data, addressing knowledge gaps such as the distribution of fish in the Central Arctic Ocean and seasonal dynamics of krill distribution
- Collaborate with project partners across marine ecology, fisheries science, data science, Indigenous/local knowledge interfaces, and science-policy processes
- A PhD in natural sciences
- Strong background in hydroacoustics, bioinformatics and/or image analysis (ZooScan, UVP)
- Excellent analytical skills, including statistical modelling, mathematical modelling and network analysis
- Proficiency in coding (R, Python, MATLAB)
- Excellent publication record according to career stage
- Good English knowledge (approximately equivalent to CEFR level B1+B2)
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
- Experience in AI-based data analysis and data management techniques
- Proficiency with the software Echoview would be advantageous
- Good communication skills
- Experience with stakeholder work, marine management and/or co-design with Indigenous or local knowledge holders
Further Information
- Contact in day-to-day work: with up to 5 people
- Communication: almost equal share (internal/external)
in the following ways
- By telephone: rather rarely (once a month or less)
- E-mail: frequently (daily or several times a week)
- Video conferencing (e.g. Webex): occasionally (several times a month)
- Personal contact in presence: frequently (daily or several times a week)
- Movement around the workplace: rarely (mainly in the same room)
- Business trips: rather infrequent (once or twice a year)
- Expeditions: do not occur
Please note that the general conditions listed serve as a guide and may vary depending on the specific area of application.
For further information on the specific position, please reach out to Dr Hauke Flores (hauke.flores@awi.de; +49 471 4831-1444).
If you have any general questions about the application process, our Recruiting team will be glad to support you – please contact Elisabeth Wildt (bewerbungsmanagement@awi.de, +49 471 4831-2236).
In this overview you will find further contact persons for various matters.
This is a full-time position, limited to 2 years. It is also suitable for part-time employment. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level 13. The place of employment will be Bremerhaven.
All postdocs will register with AWI’s postdoc office PROCEED and thus gain access to a set of tailor-made career development tools.
- Excellent research environment with access to globally unique infrastructure, comprehensive datasets, and international expeditions
- Opportunity to develop and pursue independent scientific ideas and innovative research approaches addressing societally relevant questions
- Close scientific collaboration and interdisciplinary cooperation within the institute as well as with national and international partners
- An international working environment with daily interaction with colleagues from around the world
- Opportunities for professional and personal development
- Flexible working hours
- 30 days of annual leave (full-time), plus additional days off on December 24th and 31st
- Annual special payment in accordance with the German public sector collective agreement (TVöD Bund)
- Occupational health promotion and company fitness programme with Hansefit
- Support services and an established culture promoting work–life balance, e.g. through our family office offering childcare services (e.g. holiday programmes) as well as advice on family and care responsibilities
- Occupational pension scheme (VBL)
AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. We are convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people regardless of binary and non-binary genders, race and nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, age, disabilities, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, and other identities.
Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.
AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways. And as a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our Family Office and International Office will be glad to support you, even before you start at AWI.
We look forward to your application!
Please submit your application online only by August 27th, 2026. We kindly ask you to apply in English. No photo is required – we value your qualifications and experience.
Reference number: 26/79/D/Bio-b
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