Postdoc (m/f/d) as part of the ElbeXtreme project of the German Alliance for Marine Research

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is a foundation of 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 “Chemical Oceanography“ of the research division “Marine Biogeochemistry” is offering a position as

Postdoc (m/f/d) 

as part of the ElbeXtreme project of the German Alliance for Marine Research

The position is funded by the BMFTR for a period of 36 months, starting on January 1^st, 2027

Project Description

Extreme physical-oceanographic events are recognized as a major risk factor for coastal ecosystems and human communities. Their frequency and intensity increase due to global climate change, whilst coastal population density rises, coastal ecosystems undergo change, and societies become more sensitive to hazards arriving from sea and rivers/estuaries.  In the first three years (Phase I; 2024-2026) of the project ElbeXtreme we have identified and assessed a range of impacts and risks of extreme events in close collaboration with local and institutional stakeholders, and worked towards developing a scientifically sound basis for the planning and implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures. The focus of the next three years (Phase II; 2027-2029) turns towards a stronger applicability of our knowledge through a strong co-development process with institutional stakeholders and an enhanced emphasis on provision of solutions for management of extremes and compounded pressures on ecosystems. In particular, we will address the extreme events of dissolved oxygen depletion and marine heatwaves (MHWs), which have been identified as key pressures on ecosystem functioning by our stakeholders.In collaboration with institutional stakeholders we will also assess the fate and ecosystem impacts of Elbe sludge (incl. remobilisation by extreme events) following relocation in the German Bight.

Job Description

The candidate will be part of the German project ElbeXtreme, which is coordinated by GEOMAR, and is one of the four projects of the mareXtreme Mission of the German Alliance for Marine Research. The candidate will be working closely with chemical, physical and biological oceanographers, biogeochemical modellers and social scientists in the ElbeXtreme project. The candidate will undertake sampling of chemical variables (trace elements, nutrients, pollutants, carbon) in waters of the German Bight and Elbe during regular cruises and extreme events. The candidate will analyse samples at GEOMAR, and establish the distributions of chemical constituents, in relation to sources and sinks, and assess their supply rates. The candidate will perform data analysis and data interpretation with a view to assess the impacts of extreme events on biogeochemical conditions. The candidate will prepare scientific manuscripts for publication.

Qualifications

• A PhD in chemical oceanography or similar field is required, or is to be achieved before summer 2027

• Experience is required in sampling of trace metals, particles and nutrients in marine waters

• Experience is required in analytical measurements in the labiratory for dissolved trace metals using ICP-MS, and knowledge is required of the analyses of nutrients and carbon variables

• Experience is required in handling large and complex data sets, with use of statistical techniques to assess spatial and temporal trends

• The candidate is required to have published scientific manuscripts as first author over the last 3 years in leading journals on the behaviour and fate of trace elements, particles and nutrients in waters of estuaries, fjords, or coastal systems

• We expect excellent English language skills and experience with working on research vessels 

• The candidate will need to indicate experience in science communication in large research teams

• The candidate will need to indicate experience in research project management

•  It is necessary for the candidate to participate in regular sea-going expeditions

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

• Currently 31 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 December 31^st, 2029.

The position is subject to a final funding approval by the BMFTR. This is a full-time position. The salary depends on qualification and could be up to the class E13 TVöD-Bund of the German tariff for public employees. The position cannot 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 September 20^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 Prof. Dr. Eric Achterberg (eachterberg(at)geomar.de).

For all other questions, please reach out at bewerbung(at)geomar.de and refer to the keyword “ElbeXtreme2026”.

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.