Area of research:
Other
Job description:
The GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is a public law foundation jointly funded by the Federal Republic of Germany (90%) and the State of Schleswig-Holstein (10%). It is one of the world's leading institutions in the field of marine research.
Through our research and our commitment to the transfer of knowledge and technology, we make a significant contribution to preserving the function and protecting the ocean for future generations. The GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is currently responsible for the technical ship operation and also for the coordination of the research voyages of the research vessel FS ALKOR and the research vessel FK LITTORINA. In 2026, responsibility for the technical operation of the new research vessel FS METEOR IV will also be added.
The Seagoing Technologies Department of the GEOMAR Ocean Research Technologies Centre (ORTC) shall, as soon as possible, offer a position as
Ship Coordinator (f/m/d) permanent - full-time - EG14
In this position, you are responsible for the efficient organisation and operation of processes associated with GEOMAR ship operations and ship utilization:
* You will proactively coordinate with relevant internal and external stakeholders from science, the GEOMAR directors, administration, funding organizations, and private-sector institutions, in particular the shipping companies and shipyards involved.
* You will monitor compliance with budgets, schedules, and quality standards associated with ship operations.
* You will manage the scheduling of ship time.
* You will represent GEOMAR and, if necessary, the ship operators in the German, European, and international committees necessary for research ship operations and use.
* Until the RV Meteor IV is fully operational, you will be part of the scientific advisory group for the new ship and will have special responsibilities in connection with the ship's test phase. The same applies to future new ship constructions.
Qualification:
* Completed university studies preferably in marine sciences or engineering.
* You have already participated in ship expeditions lasting several weeks and have experience with the process of scientific expeditions (planning, application, preparation, implementation, follow-up) at a level that enables transparent decisions on the scheduling and prioritization of cruise applications.
* You have experience with committee work that enables you to represent the interests of GEOMAR and, if necessary, those of the ship operators in national or international committees, including in person.
* You have very good oral and written communication skills in English and German, and you also have experience in preparing reports and applications in German and English.
Desirable:
* You are familiar with the process for allocating ship time on German research vessels
* You have already been responsible for budgets
* You have experience in conducting tendering and bidding procedures
* You are familiar with the Helmholtz-specific framework conditions and financing options
At a workplace located directly on the Kiel Fjord with many leisure and recreational opportunities, we offer you:
* Good conditions for balancing work and private life: We offer, among other things, the option of mobile working and individual working hours, vacation courses for our employees' children, and excellent support in finding a daycare place in Kiel.
* Support services for professional and personal life situations.
* An exciting work environment with the opportunity to provide important impetus for the development of sustainable solutions
* Exciting topics in an international environment
* Work in the field of marine and climate research, a forward-looking area of social importance
* 30 days of vacation + additional time off on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
* Company pension plan and capital-forming benefits
The position is permanent and the regular weekly working hours correspond to those of a full-time position (currently 39 hours per week). The position can be split and filled by more than one person, but full-time coverage of the position is required. Working hours for this position can be arranged flexibly. Remuneration is based on pay scale E 14 (TVöD-Bund) if the relevant requirements are met.
GEOMAR is committed to promoting women in the workplace. Applications from women are therefore expressly welcome. GEOMAR is committed to employing people with severe disabilities. Therefore, applicants with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if they are suitably qualified.
Please send your complete, informative application documents by December 28th, 2025 via our application portal at the following link:
Online application
Please be sure to include the keyword in the subject line. After completion of the selection process, all application documents will be destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations. For information on the advertised position, please contact Dr. Johannes Karstensen (tel.: 0431 600-4156). We welcome your questions by e-mail at bewerbung(at)geomar.de, quoting the reference “ Ship Coordinator .”
Further information on the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and the Helmholtz Association can be found at or
GEOMAR is committed to objective and non-discriminatory selection. Our job advertisements are therefore open to everyone. We expressly do not require application photos.
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