Postdoctoral scientist position (m/f/d) in the movement ecology of non-commercial fish

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is a foundation under public law jointly financed 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.

The research unit Marine Evolutionary Ecology of the research division Marine Ecology is offering a

Postdoctoral scientist position (m/f/d)

in the movement ecology of non-commercial fish

The employment is funding period until 31^st December 2029. Starting date is flexible, but preferred May 1^st, 2026.

Background and Project Description

The position is embedded in the German Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) funded project SCHUFI – Supporting the development of monitoring and protection concepts for Fish. The successful candidate will work in a consortium in collaboration with the University of Hamburg and the University of Rostock, as well as several co-PIs at GEOMAR. The goal of SCHUFI is to improve minimally invasive monitoring techniques to for non-commercial fish species in the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with a particular focus on protected areas. The advertised position will focus on movement monitoring, using acoustic telemetry and data-storage tags to assess animal movement across a wide range of scales and resolutions, assessing usage of protected areas in the Baltic EEZ. The successful candidate will contribute to cruise-based sampling activities as well as associated data management and analysis. Numerous opportunities for related scientific outputs in collaboration with project partners are available, including combining movement and ecosystem modelling or trophic status. The position is embedded in the Marine Behavioural Ecology group at GEOMAR, focusing on how individual behaviour scales up to macro-scale ecological patterns. 

Qualifikation

Required:

• A diploma/MSc and a PhD degree or equivalent qualification in Biology, Marine Biology, or related subjects.
• Manuscripts published or in progress on topics related to movement ecology, behavioural ecology, marine or aquatic ecology, or fisheries.
• Experience at sea
• Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken)

Desirable:

• Proficiency in programming (Python or R)
• Proficiency in data management     
• Knowledge of marine biology and the Baltic Sea ecosystem
• Knowledge of acoustic telemetry and geolocation methods

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 position is available for a funding period until 31^st December 2029. The salary depends on qualification and could be up to the class E13 TVöD-Bund of the German tariff for public employees. This is a full-time position. This position can be split.

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel seeks to increase the proportion of female scientists and explicitly encourages qualified female academics to apply. GEOMAR is an equal opportunity employer and encourages scientists with disabilities to apply. Qualified disabled applicants will receive preference in the application process.

Please send your application for this post not later than February 15^th, 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. Christopher Monk (cmonk(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 “SCHUFI - Movement”.

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.