The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF) and funded by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology and geophysics thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.
The Helmholtz Max Planck Joint Research Group for Deep Sea Ecology and Technology and the Section Marine Biogeosciences invites applications for a
Scientist, Chemical Oceanography
Background:
FRAM (FRontiers in Arctic marine Monitoring) is a strategic investment of the Helmholtz Association to establish an infrastructure for year-round surface-to-seafloor ocean observation including ecosystem functions at the gateway between the Atlantic and Arctic Ocean. The infrastructure comprises stationary components (moorings, benthic observatories), as well as actively moving (gliders, autonomous underwater vehicles, benthic crawlers), and drifting elements (floats, ice-tethered platforms). FRAM extends long-term multidisciplinary observations in polar regions in the context of global change research carried out by the Alfred Wegener Institute. Using a combined approach of year round autonomous observations and annual ship-based expeditions, observations are dedicated to assess temporal and spatial variations in physical and chemical oceanography, productivity, biodiversity and ecosystem function in response to the rapid changes observed in the Arctic.
Tasks:
Key task is to maintain, advance and interpret in situ observations in chemical oceanography in Fram Strait and the Arctic Ocean on various spatial and temporal scales. This will include the assessment and implementation of state-of-the-art methods for year-round observations of chemical constituents relevant to plankton productivity and carbon export with a focus on dissolved inorganic carbon and nutrients. The applicant will implement the use of novel sensors (e.g., optical nitrate sensors, different pCO2 sensors) on various mobile and fixed-point observatory platforms and support the organization and coordination of ship-based fieldwork (e.g., discrete nutrient and carbonate chemistry sampling, continuous sensor and membrane-inlet mass spectrometry measurements). The applicant will work in a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technicians targeting physical oceanography, particle fluxes, deep-sea ecology, and biodiversity. The research focus is on conditions, rates and budgets of water column productivity, carbon and nutrient cycling to assess long-term trends and variations. The interdisciplinary approach in long-term ecological research in FRAM includes also synthesis and data assimilation approaches in collaboration with other working groups, e.g. physical oceanography, sea ice physics, and plankton/deep-sea biology. The applicant will further contribute to international initiatives, especially in the context of ocean carbon observation to strengthen international cooperation, the exchange on standardized instrumentation, and communication of FRAM products. Office and labs are based at the AWI in Bremerhaven. Possibilities to contribute to graduate education via one of our international graduate schools associated with University of Bremen are some of the many opportunities the work will offer.
Requirements:
To support the implementation of the observation infrastructure FRAM we seek a scientist with a PhD in chemical or biological oceanography, with expertise in chemical oceanography, biogeochemistry, plankton ecology, and with a strong interest in the implementation of advanced technologies for in situ studies and ocean observation infrastructure. The applicant should be experienced in the ecology of polar ecosystems. Knowledge of state-of-the art analytical procedures in chemical oceanography is required, including analyses of macronutrients and dissolved gases. Applicants should have demonstrated capability for the organisation of and participation in international expeditions and interdisciplinary projects, and should be fluent in English. The candidate should be able and willing to participate in seagoing polar expeditions. We look for highly motivated, independent researchers who enjoy teamwork, and who possess excellent communication skills written and orally.
For further information please contact Dr. Björn Rost (Bjoern.Rost@awi.de) or Prof. Dieter Wolf-Gladrow (Dieter.Wolf-Gladrow@awi.de).
The position is limited to 4 years. The salary will be paid in accordance with the German Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes (TVöD Bund) up to salary group 14, based on qualifications and transferred tasks. The place of employment will be Bremerhaven.
We offer you a multi-disciplinary, international, and fascinating professional environment with flexible working hours, state-of-the-art research equipment, and a first-rate infrastructure. AWI aims to increase the number of women in the scientific staff and therefore encourages women to apply. Disabled applicants will be given preference when equal qualifications are present. The AWI fosters the compatibility of work and family through various means. Because of our engagement in the area of work-life compatibility we have been awarded the certificate “Career and Family”.
Please forward your applications with the standard documentation by November 15th, 2016 referencing code 121/G/Bio to: Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Personalabteilung (human resources), Postfach 12 01 61, 27515 Bremerhaven/Germany or by e-mail (all documents merged into one PDF file) to: personal@awi.de
