Postdoc in "Antarctic Sea Ice Observing Systems" (x/d/f/m)

About AWI

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, geochemistry and geophysics, allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.

Background

Antarctic sea ice is undergoing rapid and poorly understood changes, with important consequences for the Southern Ocean climate system and ecosystems. At the same time, observations remain unevenly distributed across regions, seasons and platforms. Progress therefore requires both a better scientific understanding of Antarctic sea ice and a coordinated strategy for future observations.

The position is part of SYNCHRONY (Synchronous Southern Ocean Observatory), a Horizon Europe project advancing a coordinated, multidisciplinary and sustainable observing system for the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. SYNCHRONY contributes to Antarctica InSync, a broader international initiative coordinating circumpolar and year-round observations to strengthen understanding of the Antarctic environment.

The postholder will combine drift trajectories from a wide range of autonomous ice-tethered platforms with satellite-derived sea ice motion and model output, using AI-supported approaches where appropriate, to identify optimal deployment regions, seasons and observing strategies. The resulting recommendations will support the development of a harmonized and sustainable Antarctic sea ice observing system.

To provide the necessary observational basis, the postholder will analyze and harmonize sea ice and snow measurements from autonomous ice-tethered platforms and existing pack-ice datasets. The work will include assessing observational coverage and gaps, developing consistent processing methods for key variables such as sea-ice thickness and snow depth, and deriving time series and climatologies to investigate regional and seasonal patterns.

The postholder is expected to work independently, take responsibility for the relevant research activities and project deliverables, and collaborate closely with partners in SYNCHRONY, Antarctica InSync and the international sea-ice observing community.

The position will be embedded in the Joint Research Group SNOWflAke (“Learning from local snow properties for large-scale Antarctic ice-pack volume”), a collaboration between the Alfred Wegener Institute and the University of Hamburg.

Your Tasks

• Develop consistent processing methods and derive regional and seasonal time series and climatologies of sea ice thickness and snow depth using autonomous platforms, pack-ice, satellite and model data.
• Assess links between sea-ice conditions and atmospheric and oceanic forcing, including uncertainties across datasets.
• Identify observational gaps and determine suitable regions, seasons and deployment strategies for future sea-ice observations.
• Develop recommendations for a harmonized and sustainable Antarctic sea-ice observing system.
• Publish results in scientific journals and present them at conferences and project meetings.

Your Profile

• PhD or equivalent degree in physics, geophysics, meteorology, or a related field.
• Strong experience in scientific programming.
• Strong experience in processing and analyzing observational, satellite or model data.
• Ability to work independently and take responsibility for research activities and project deliverables.
• Very good command of English (approximately equivalent to CEFR level C1).
• Good teamwork abilities.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Experience in polar and/or sea ice processes.
• Experience with autonomous ice-tethered platforms and/or in-situ observations.
• Experience with satellite-derived sea-ice products, trajectory analysis or numerical modelling.
• Experience with large geospatial datasets, reproducible workflows and uncertainty analysis.
• Experience applying machine-learning or AI methods to environmental data, remote sensing or observing-system design.

Further Information

Contact in day-to-day work: collaboration mainly with more than 5 people. Communication: almost equal share (internal/external), in the following ways — by telephone: almost never or never; e-mail: frequently (daily or several times a week); video conferencing (e.g. Webex): frequently (daily or several times a week); 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: 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 contact Prof Dr Stefanie Arndt (stefanie.arndt@awi.de; +49 471 4831-2707). If you have any general questions about the application process, the Recruiting team will be glad to support you — please contact Sarah Palme (bewerbungsmanagement@awi.de, +49 471 4831-1853).

Terms of Employment

This is a full-time position, limited to 3 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. Employment typically starts at experience levels 1 to 3. 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.
• 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 the family office offering childcare services (e.g. holiday programmes) as well as advice on family and care responsibilities.
• Occupational pension scheme (VBL).

Diversity and Equal Opportunities

AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. AWI is convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich its work and daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, AWI aims to ensure that all employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. AWI welcomes 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 the team, applicants can be sure AWI will help them settle in. The Family Office and International Office will be glad to support new employees, even before they start at AWI.

How to Apply

Please submit your application online only by September 6th, 2026. Applicants are kindly asked to apply in English. No photo is required — AWI values qualifications and experience.

Reference number: 26/85/D/Kli-b.

More information and application: https://jobs.awi.de/Vacancies/2229/Description/2