Application Deadline: June 3rd, 2026.
Apply online here: Postdoc in “The role of freshwater in the Southern Ocean – Antarctic climate system”
Information from the link is below:
Background
You will be part of the recently funded group CYCLES on “Characterising the dynamics, impacts and climate feedbacks of freshwater to estimate thresholds”. By applying innovative statistical techniques on observations and models, this group seeks to identify key mechanisms of change in coupled ice-ocean-atmosphere systems. This specific position will focus on the role of freshwater in the Southern Ocean – Antarctic climate system.
Your Tasks
- Explore the role of freshwater in Southern Ocean – Antarctic climate system
- Apply innovative statistical techniques to identify and quantify links between ice, ocean, and atmospheric variability
- Lead original research project within the broader scope of the CYCLES group
- Present results at international conferences and in scientific journals
- Supervise bachelor and master students
- Contribute actively to the CYCLES group and Physical Oceanography team meetings
Your Profile
- PhD in climate science, physics, mathematics or a related discipline
- Strong background in ocean and climate dynamics
- Strong programming skills (ideally Python)
- Statistics and basic machine learning skills or an interest to acquire these
- Strong communication skills and publication record including first-authorships
- Very good English knowledge (approximately equivalent to CEFR level C1)
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
- Experience in conducting fieldwork and / or analysing oceanographic datasets is desirable
Further Information
- Contact in day-to-day work: with up to 5 people
- Communication: predominantly internal (with colleagues and other departments)
in the following ways
- By telephone: almost never (only in very rare cases) or never
- E-mail: occasionally (several times a month)
- Video conferencing (e.g. Webex): rather rarely (once a month or less)
- Personal contact in presence: occasionally (several times a month)
- Movement around the workplace: regularly within the building (e.g, between departments or floors)
- Business trips: rather infrequent (once or twice a year)
- Expeditions: not generally planned for this position; however, opportunities to participate are available if desired
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 Prof Dr Marilena Oltmanns (marilena.oltmanns@awi.de; +49 471 4831-1881).
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.
We offer
- 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 and the possibility of mobile working for up to 50% of regular 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.