Research Scientist in Marine Biogeochemistry – Argo Sensors (IOW)

Job title

Research Scientist in the Department of Marine Chemistry – AWESOME Project.

Company

Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW).

Description of the job

The Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) has a temporary position available for a Research Scientist in the department of Marine Chemistry within the project "Argo with extended suite of optical and nutrient measurements (AWESOME)". The appointment is a full-time position (100%, 40h/week), limited until 28 February 2029, starting as soon as 1 July 2026. The position can also be filled on a flexible part-time basis, at a minimum of 30h/week.

IOW is an independent marine research institute of the Leibniz Association, focusing on the coastal and marginal seas, in particular the Baltic Sea. The staff of the five departments Physical Oceanography, Marine Chemistry, Biological Oceanography, Marine Geosciences and Marine Observations work on an interdisciplinary basis in a joint research program.

Biogeochemical Argo (BGC-Argo) profiling floats are instruments that, thanks to their various sensors (e.g., for temperature, salinity, oxygen, nitrate, chlorophyll a, suspended particle scattering, light availability), give unprecedented insight into the ocean's biogeochemistry. They contribute to the global OneArgo program, an observing system of approximately 4,000 active floats. In the AWESOME project, the suite of biogeochemical sensors on Argo floats is being extended by mounting a new sensor that measures the fluorescence of dissolved organic matter (FDOM) at additional wavelengths and by integrating a microfluidic-based ("lab-on-chip") phosphate sensor. Such floats will be deployed in the Baltic Sea.

Tasks:

• Characterize the lab-on-chip and FDOM sensor behaviour, response and accuracy with dedicated laboratory and field experiments.
• Perform field sampling and laboratory reference measurements for independent sensor validation, including participation in research cruises at sea if necessary.
• Merge, process and analyse acquired data from different sources using Python (or Matlab).
• Support the integration of the additional sensors on floats and perform regular technical monitoring of the AWESOME floats deployed in the Baltic Sea.
• Establish or improve sensor data processing and quality control routines, and adapt them to conditions special to the Baltic Sea as identified by laboratory and field experiments.
• Combine optical and lab-on-chip float data with other observations to improve understanding of biogeochemical processes and cycles in the Baltic Sea.
• Support with reporting and publish results in scientific journals.

What We Offer:

• A diverse workplace right on the Baltic Sea coast.
• Flexible working arrangements, including the possibility of working from home or remotely.
• Company health measures, an annual bonus, a pension plan (VBL).
• 30 days of vacation per year, time off on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
• Opportunities for language training in English and German.
• Very good infrastructure with modern laboratory and office equipment, including IOW's own research vessel.

Requirements

Required:

• Ph.D. degree or Master's degree (or equivalent) in a related field (e.g., chemistry, marine biogeochemistry, spectroscopy, marine technology, engineering), with previous work experience after the Master's degree at a scientific institution (e.g., as part of a PhD project).
• Good knowledge of English (spoken and written).
• Willingness to work at sea for short research cruises.
• Ability to process data using Python (or Matlab) with basic programming skills.

Desirable:

• Experience in merging, processing, quality control and interpretation of data from different sensors and formats.
• Affinity to development work and custom-tailored solutions.
• Experience in handling instrumentation and sensors.
• Experience in scientific writing and publication.
• Prior experience with microfluidic, nutrient, or (F)DOM measurements.
• Prior experience with Argo and the Argo data system.

Location

Warnemünde (Rostock), Germany.

Salary

Not specified. 

How to apply

Please send your application as a single PDF file, quoting keyword "Che 01/2026", by email to bewerbung.chemie@iow.de or by mail to Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Human Resources Department, Seestraße 15, 18119 Rostock, Germany.

Include: cover letter outlining motivation and relevant experiences, CV, copies of transcripts, certificates or reference letters, contact information for two references, and a scientific text (publication, report) written by the applicant in English or German.

For further information, contact Dr. Henry Bittig at henry.bittig@iow.de. Interviews are expected on 21 May 2026.

Deadline

28/04/2026.

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