Background

The overall objective of the Helmholtz Young Investigator Group SOS-iClimate is to answer the question how melting Antarctic ice masses alter the ocean salinity and circulation and if these changes will amplify or dampen global warming in the future. For this purpose, we will identify and quantify the causes of past and future salinity changes in the Southern Ocean using ocean tracers, in particular seawater stable isotopes. These tracers serve as a fingerprint of impact of rapidly melting ice masses on the ocean’s salinity and we will use them to constrain climate model simulations.

Tasks

This position will use existing and newly collected measurements of the seawater stable isotopic composition from ship-board sample collection in the Southern Ocean to build a novel data base that can be used to trace the imprint of melting ice and changing surface moisture fluxes on the ocean. Through this effort, the position will contribute to the understanding of ongoing rapid changes in the Southern Ocean.

Specifically, this position will

  • search and identify existing data records of seawater stable isotopes from the Southern Ocean
  • inquire and record metadata
  • merge and reformat multiple data sets
  • assess data quality and quantify biases and uncertainties
  • coordinate and participate in international laboratory intercomparison studies
  • facilitate the collection and analysis of new observational data from the Southern Ocean
  • publish a statistical and technical assessment of the data set in peer-reviewed journal

Requirements

Ideally, you should hold a PhD degree related to Earth, climate, or environmental sciences. However, also applications of candidates that hold a MSc degree in a related field will be considered. We seek for a person with an extensive experience in data management and analysis, and organizational skills.

It is also expected to assist with project coordination and to interact with an interdisciplinary and international science community in order to build a network of data providers and users. Therefore, very good communication skills in English—both written and oral—are mandatory.

In addition, statistical and technical skills in acquiring and handling observational data is desirable.

Further information

Please contact Prof. Dr. Alexander Haumann (alexander.haumann@awi.de) for further information.

This is a part-time position (60 %), limited to 36 months. It is also suitable for full-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.

Benefits

  • our scientific success - excellent research
  • collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
  • opportunities to develop – on the job and towards other positions
  • an international environment – everyday contacts with people from all over the world
  • flexible working hours and the possibility of mobile working up to 50% of regular working hours
  • health promotion and company fitness with EGYM wellpass
  • support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
  • occupational pension provision (VBL)
  • jobticket

Equal opportunities are an integral part of our personnel policy. The AWI aims to increase the number of employees who are women, and therefore strongly encourages qualified women to apply.

Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.

The AWI fosters the compatibility of work and family in various ways and has received a number of awards as a result of this engagement.

We look forward to your application!

Please submit your application by December 5th 2023, exclusively online: https://jobs.awi.de/Vacancies/1541/Description/2 Reference number: 23/202/D/Kli-b