Postdoc position in physical oceanography (m/d/x/f)

Background
The Greenland Ice Sheet is losing mass at an accelerating rate, contributing strongly to global sea level rise. Most of the mass loss occurs at the interface where glaciers meet the ocean. Despite its importance, Greenland glacier retreat and its interaction with the ocean are poorly represented in climate models, leading to significant uncertainties about Greenland’s future contribution to sea level rise. The aim of the GLOW project is to address critical knowledge gaps in our understanding of retreating and accelerating marine-terminating glaciers and their interaction with the ocean around Greenland.

Your Tasks
You will:

• work on glacier–fjord systems in East and North Greenland within the GLOW project
• simulate ocean–ice sheet interactions using the unstructured mesh ocean–sea ice–ice shelf model FESOM2
  
• improve the representation of freshwater input from Greenland glaciers in the model
  
• set up, run and analyze high-resolution ocean simulations
  
• collaborate with project partners to couple ice-sheet and ocean models
  
• publish and present the research results in scientific outlets

Your Profile

• PhD in physical oceanography, climate physics, or a related discipline
• Strong background in physics, especially (geophysical) fluid dynamics
• Very good programming skills (Fortran, Matlab or Python)
• Experience with unstructured mesh ocean models is an asset
• Very good communication skills and strong publication record including first-authorships
• Very good English knowledege (approximately equivalent to CEFR level C1)

Further Information

• Contact in day-to-day work: collaboration mainly with up to 5 people 
• Communication: almost equal share (internal/external)
  in the following ways

1. By telephone: frequently (daily or several times a week) 
2. E-mail: frequently (daily or several times a week) 
3. Video conferencing (e. g. Webex): frequently (daily or several times a week)
4. Personal contact in presence: frequently (daily or several times a week)

• Movement around the workplace: regularly within the building (e.g. between departments or floors) 
• Business trips: occasional (several times a year) 
• Expeditions: do not occur

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 Dr Claudia Wekerle (Claudia.Wekerle@awi.de; +49(471)4831-1813).
If you have any general questions about the application process, our Recruiting team will be glad to support you – please contact Sarah Palme (bewerbungsmanagement@awi.de; +49(471)4831-1853).
In this overview you will find further contact persons for various matters.

This is a full-time position limited to May 31^st, 2029. 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.

The AWI is characterized by

• 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 contact with people from all over the world
• Flexible working hours 
• Health promotion and company fitness with Hansefit and Wellhub
• Support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
• Occupational pension provision (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. 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.

We look forward to your application!
Please submit your application online only by March 8^th, 2026. We kindly ask you to apply in English. No photo is required – we value your qualifications and experience.
Reference number: 26/6/D/Kli-b