Area of research:
Other
Job description:
Kiel University and GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel aims to attract more qualified women to professorships.
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Kiel University, and GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel invite applications for a
W 2-Professorship (with tenure track to W 2) in Physical Oceanography
with temporary civil service status for an initial period of six years to start at the earliest possible date.
The W 2-professorship (with tenure track to W 2) is based at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel ( in the research unit “Physical Oceanography” which is part of the research division “Ocean Circulation and Climate Dynamics“.
The future holder of the position is expected to represent the field of Physical Oceanography in both research and teaching. The professorship includes teaching duties in English and, if applicable, German (in accordance with the current teaching regulations, LVVO) within the Kiel Bachelor’s and Master’s programs “Physics of the Earth System” and “Climate Physics.” A suitable teaching concept must be submitted with the application. The research interests of the applicant should lie in process-oriented observational physical oceanography and comparative model-data analysis, and should align with the research profile of GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel as well as that of the Physical Oceanography research unit. Possible research foci include: ocean and climate dynamics, wind-driven and thermohaline circulation, water mass transformation, mesoscale and submesoscale variability, internal waves, and atmosphere-ocean interaction. Interest in the application of various modern observational methods (research expeditions, autonomous systems such as moorings and gliders, and turbulence probes) as well as in modern data analysis, machine learning/artificial intelligence, and data science methods is highly desirable. Active engagement in research collaborations within the research division is expected. Interdisciplinary collaboration with other research groups at Kiel University, for example within Kiel Marine Science (KMS), and at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is encouraged.
Applicants must hold a completed university degree and a PhD in Physical Oceanography or a related field of outstanding quality. Internationally peer-reviewed publications in the field of Physical Oceanography are expected. Experience in teaching and in securing third-party funded research projects is advantageous. International collaborations within the EU and beyond are welcome.
Reference is made to the recruitment requirements set out in § 61 in conjunction with § 62 of the Higher Education Act of the State of Schleswig-Holstein. Following a successful evaluation and provided the further requirements of § 62 of the Higher Education Act of the State of Schleswig-Holstein are met, the aim is to convert the professorship into a permanent W2 professorship. For this purpose, in accordance with the applicable regulations at Kiel University, a corresponding evaluation procedure is usually carried out one year before the expiration of the fixed-term professorship. Further information can be found on the website: (in German).
Kiel University and GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel are striving to increase the number of female scientists in research and teaching and therefore expressly encourages qualified women to apply. Women will be given priority if their aptitude, qualifications and professional performance are of equal value.
Kiel University and GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel are committed to the employment of people with disabilities: Applications from severely disabled persons and their equals will be given preferential treatment if they have the appropriate qualifications.
We expressly welcome applications from people with a migration background. Application photographs are not required and we expressly request that you refrain from submitting any.
Applications including the usual documents (curriculum vitae, list of publications, if applicable list of externally funded projects and list of courses taught, copies of academic degrees, a compelling research and teaching concept [max. 6 pages in total], and 2 references) should be submitted, indicating both private and institutional contact details (address, phone number, and email), by November 5, 2025 — preferably in a single PDF file via email to bewerbung(at)mnf.uni-kiel.de — to: Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Olshausenstr. 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany
For further information on the vacant position and the research unit, please contact Prof. Dr. Peter Brandt (pbrandt(at)geomar.de).
This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.
Company
The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges to assure the future of our society. With more than 47.500 people on staff in 18 national Research Centers and an annual budget of more than 6 billion euros, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. The name Helmholtz stands for concerted research, in which networks form the key principle behind inquiring thought and action.
The profile of the Helmholtz Association
The Helmholtz Association performs cutting-edge research which contributes substantially to solving the grand challenges of science, society and industry. To succeed in meeting these responsibilities, Helmholtz concentrates its work in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space and Transport. Within each of these fields, research programs are developed by our scientists and regularly evaluated by renowned international experts. Their evaluation forms the basis for the program-oriented funding that is allocated to Helmholtz research. Within the six research fields, Helmholtz scientists cooperate with each other and with external partners – working across disciplinary, organizational and national borders.
Moreover, Helmholtz specializes in large-scale research infrastructures – from accelerator facilities, earth observation satellites, research ships to supercomputers. They form the basis for scientific advances in tackling global societal challenges. Managing national research infrastructure is part of the Helmholtz Association's mission.
Promoting young academics
Helmholtz scientists, a high-performance infrastructure and modern and efficient research management are the ingredients to the Helmholtz Association‘s success and global impact.
Promoting young researchers is a major priority for the Helmholtz Association. Its qualification schemes for young researchers are geared mainly towards PhD students, postdocs and young managers. The Helmholtz Association has set high standards for its talent management. Its strategy begins with targeted recruitment of highly qualified staff at all levels, followed by comprehensive support aimed at further developing their potential. Ensuring equal opportunities is an essential element in all talent management activities undertaken by the Helmholtz Association.
The Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Research Schools at almost all Helmholtz Centers provide doctoral students with the general and specific skills and training they need, as well as ample opportunity to network. The period following a doctorate is decisive in determining the direction and success of a scientific career. For this reason, we established Career Development Centers for postdoctoral researchers in the Helmholtz Centers. This equips young researchers with the skills they need to go on to head a Helmholtz Investigator Group, for example. As an Investigator Group leader, junior scientists can independently set up their own group to conduct research in their specialist field and acquire management skills.
Within its talent management strategy, the Helmholtz Association pays special attention to the increased recruitment of talented female scientists both from Germany and abroad. To this end, there are currently two funding programs supporting this policy: and Helmholtz Distinguished Professorship – Funding for the recruitment of leading international female scientists (W3) .
The increasing complexity of the content, structures and framework conditions of scientific work today requires researchers to organize their projects, their employees and, of course, themselves in a highly professional and effective way. In response to these demands, we have set up the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to provide leaders in science with professional management training. Furthermore, the Helmholtz network provides a platform for the alumni of the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to come together and share their experiences of leadership, career development and lifelong learning.
All of this combined makes the 18 Research Centers of the Helmholtz Association a highly attractive environment for talented researchers from all over the world.
Company info
Telephone
0049-30-206329-0
Location
Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
Berlin
Berlin
10178
Germany