Research scientist (m/f/d) position in deep-sea ecology

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 Biological Oceanography of the research division Marine Biogeochemistry is offering a

Research scientist (m/f/d) position in deep-sea ecology

starting on July 1^st, 2026 or as soon thereafter.

Job Description / Project Description

The ERC Consolidator project SEA-THROUGH studies one of the longest-standing unknowns in deep-sea research: the existence of the “ladder of migrations”. This term describes a largely unexplored phenomenon in which a multitude of species create a network of synchronized and spatially overlapping vertical migrations, thereby linking food-webs throughout the oceanic water column. The project aims to apply novel in situ imaging technologies to examine the vertical distribution, movement and behavior of pelagic organisms down to the bathy- and abyssopelagic zone. Imaging observations will be complemented multi-frequency acoustic measurements, depth-stratified net sampling (taxonomic identification, dietary tracers), as well as environmental DNA (eDNA). In concert, these observations will enable targeted studies of the “ladder of migrations” and assess its role as a food source for deep-sea biota and in the biological carbon pump.

We are looking for a candidate with a strong background and interest in deep-sea ecology, pelagic food-web functioning and application of in situ imaging systems. The successful candidate will join ship expeditions in the subtropical and tropical Atlantic, collecting data with in situ imaging systems, acoustic measurements, as well as net-based sampling. Further tasks include the processing of data collected with these various methods, their analysis with state-of-the-art “big data” methods, such as machine learning and/or multivariate statistics, as well as the interpretation of data and writing of high-quality scientific publications. The candidate is also expected to take on leadership tasks, e.g. in the planning of ship expeditions, coordination of field work on board, as well as in the co-supervision of PhD and MSc students involved in the project.

Required qualifications

• A PhD in biological oceanography, marine biology, marine biogeochemistry or related fields
• At least 3 years of postdoctoral experience in ship-based biological oceanographic research
• Experience and very good skills in application of in situ imaging systems, hydroacoustic measurements, and biological sampling with nets:
  (i) sensor calibration, deployment and data collection
  (ii) post-processing of image and acoustic data
  (iii) operation of net sampling gear, incl. sample processing (e.g. sorting of specimen)
  (iv) ecological/oceanographic data analysis
   
• Experience and very good skills in analysis of pelagic food-webs using trophic markers such as stable isotopes and fatty acids
• Experience as chief scientist on ship expeditions
• Experience in logistical and scientific preparation of ship expeditions
• Knowledge about taxonomy of zooplankton and micronekton and their role in food-webs in the Eastern Tropical North Atlantic
• Successful track record in acquisition of third-party funding
• Experience in leadership, particularly supervision of BSc, MSc and PhD students
• Proven experience in scientific writing (at least 5 first-author publications in high-quality peer-reviewed journals)
• Experience and very good skills in programming (preferably Python and/or R)
• Excellent English skills (written and spoken)

The ERC project SEA-THROUGH is led by Dr. Jan Taucher. His group “Imaging Technology and Deep-Sea Plankton Ecology” is part of the section "Plankton Biogeochemistry and Imaging", which is part of the Research Unit “Biological Oceanography” within the Research Division “Marine Biogeochemistry” (RD2). Our main research topics comprise the spatial and temporal distribution of plankton in the ocean, and particularly their role in biogeochemical cycles. We are particularly interested in the interplay between pelagic deep-sea organisms and carbon fluxes (e.g. diel vertical migration). Our methods focus on the use of modern imaging systems (in situ and laboratory-based, including the development of innovative imaging technology) to observe plankton and smaller nekton in their natural environment, from the sea surface down to the deep ocean. The collected image data are classified using AI/ML methods and are related to environmental data to gain an improved understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of ecological communities and carbon fluxes in the ocean.

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

• interesting science and access to large scale infrastructure at GEOMAR, as well as the opportunity to apply for ship time for studies all around the world
• an active, friendly and supportive working environment with international members with expertise in geology, geochemistry, computer science, sea going technology and robotic applications with AUVs
• strong knowledge of national and international project application systems to support your own individual or project proposals
• 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 of 3 years as a part-time position according to 75 % of a full-time equivalent. The salary depends on qualification and could be up to the class 13 TVöD-Bund of the German tariff for public employees. The position can not 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 no later than May 26^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. Jan Taucher (jtaucher(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 "SEA-THROUGH Scientist”.

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.