Data Scientist (m/f/d)

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is a public-law foundation jointly funded by the Federal Republic of Germany (90%) and the state of Schleswig-Holstein (10%). It is one of the internationally leading institutions in the field of marine research.

Through our research and our commitment to the transfer of knowledge and technology, we contribute significantly to the preservation of the function and protection of the ocean for future generations.

GEOMAR leads the ‘Ocean Centre of Excellence for West Africa’ (Ocean-CofE) project, funded by the Helmholtz Association. The aim is to bring together existing infrastructure and projects at the Cabo Verde research site under one umbrella. Through the targeted expansion of scientific and technical infrastructure (including seagoing platforms and a molecular biology laboratory) at the Ocean Science Centre Mindelo (OSCM) and the development of funding measures, scientific cooperation with West Africa at GEOMAR is to be sustainably strengthened across all departments. The development of a digital twin and other innovative formats are intended to strengthen the interface between science, politics and society.

The central facility “Ocean Science Centre Mindelo” at GEOMAR is seeking a

Data Scientist (m/f/d)

starting as soon as possible, subject to approval.

Your responsibilities:

• Harmonisation, integration and quality control of scientific data from various sources across different spatial and temporal scales
• Fusion of heterogeneous, interdisciplinary datasets from different fields of marine science (biogeochemical, physical, biological, geological)
• Management and integration of near-real-time (NRT) data streams
• Application of machine learning and/or artificial intelligence methods for data fusion, pattern recognition, prediction or anomaly detection
• Contribution to the conceptual and technical development of a digital twin for the Cabo Verde region through the integration of model, satellite and observational data (including sample and measurement data from ship-based expeditions as well as from autonomous devices in near-real-time)
• Management of scientific data using Helmholtz data infrastructures and adherence to the FAIR principles
• Design and implementation of a data management structure at the OSCM to ensure the quality of scientific data collected in Cabo Verde
• Supporting the training of OSCM staff to implement the data management concept in Cabo Verde

Your profile:

Required

• A completed university degree, including a PhD, in data science or a natural science subject with a focus on data science
• Extensive proven experience in handling and integrating geoscientific data from various sources
• Excellent programming skills in data processing and analysis (e.g. Python, REST APIs, MATLAB, R or similar)
• Knowledge of machine learning/AI techniques applied to marine science or environmental data
• Independence and a high degree of reliability in organising and carrying out work
• Willingness and ability to undertake business travel abroad
• Excellent written and spoken English

Desirable

• Experience with the processing, quality control and archiving of marine science data
• Experience in developing or contributing to digital twin applications
• Interest in stakeholder-oriented applications and interfaces between science and policy
• Experience in interdisciplinary projects in the fields of physics, biogeochemistry, biology and geology
• Good communication and coordination skills
• Professional experience in an international environment / international team
• Design and implementation of interactive data interfaces, visualisations and dashboards for exploration and analysis by scientific users, decision-makers and the general public

At a workplace, directly on the Kiel Fjord with many leisure and recreational opportunities, we offer you:

• Good conditions for work-life balance: We offer, among other things, the possibility of mobile working and individual working time arrangements, vacation courses for the children of our employees, and good support in finding a place in a daycare center at the Kiel site
• Support services for professional and personal life situations
• An exciting work environment with the opportunity to provide important impetus for the development of sustainable solutions
• Exciting topics in an international environment
• Work in the field of marine and climate research, a forward-looking area with social significance
• 30 vacation days + additional time off at Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
• Company pension plan and capital-forming benefits

The post is to be filled on a fixed-term basis until 31 December 2030.

The salary depends on qualification and could be up to the class 13 TVöD-Bund of the German tariff for public employees. This is a full-time position. The position can’t be split but flexible working arrangements are generally possible.

GEOMAR is committed to promoting the advancement of women. Applications from women are therefore expressly encouraged. GEOMAR is committed to the employment of people with severe disabilities. Consequently, applicants with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if they are suitably qualified.

Please send your application for this post not later than 9 June 2026 under the following link:

Online application

As soon as the selection procedure has finished, all your application data will be removed according to data protection regulation.

For further information regarding the position and research unit please contact Dr. Björn Fiedler (bfiedler(at)geomar.de).

We will answer all your questions if you send us an e-mail to bewerbung(at)geomar.de. In doing so, please refer to the keyword “DTO_Ocean-CofE”.

For further information on GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel or the Helmholtz Association, please visit www.geomar.de or www.helmholtz.de.

GEOMAR is committed to an objective and non-discriminatory personnel selection. Our job advertisements address all people. We expressly renounce the submission of application photos.