The PassFisch research project is investigating the ecological and economic potential of passive fishing for edible crab (Cancer pagurus) and lobster (Homarus gammarus) in the southern North Sea. Building on the current state of knowledge, both survey-based and fishery-dependent monitoring approaches are to be developed in order to create a reliable basis for stock assessments and management. Together with partners from the fisheries sector, it will be investigated whether a long-term sustainable use of these resources is possible and whether this can represent an economically viable alternative to the current branches of coastal fishing. In addition to established export markets, the development of regional value chains will also be considered in order to increase the economic viability and attractiveness of switching to passive forms of fishing.
The employment relationship is governed by the TVöD Bund (Federal Collective Agreement for Civil Servants) and, if the collective agreement and personal requirements are met, remuneration is based on pay grade 13 TVöD Bund.
Job-ID: J000000235
Location: Bremerhaven
Start date: 01.03.2026
Organization: Institut für Seefischerei (SF)
Job Category: Biologie
Working hours: Full-time / part-time possible
Published: 17.12.2025
Your tasks:
Spatial and temporal aggregation of survey and commercial catch data of decapods and analysis
Mapping of ecologically important areas for decapod populations
Development and implementation of a monitoring concept for decapods with fishermen; abundance and distribution patterns of crabs and lobsters in the German Bight are to be recorded.
Collaboration in the evaluation and implementation of stock assessment models for decapods and cooperation with international partner institutes in ICES
Fishing effort analyses using VMS data and definition of fishing areas, investigation of fishing behaviour and influencing factors
Support in the application, coordination and implementation of experimental work and, if necessary, participation in cruises
Supporting the project management in reporting obligations, organising work meetings and workshops as well as communicating and synthesising the results
Your Profile
Your professional requirements profile:
Completed university degree (university diploma/M.Sc) in marine biology, fisheries biology or comparable disciplines
Completed doctorate in the relevant field desirable
Experience in coordinating and conducting experimental work at sea
Experience in data collection and analysis in relation to fisheries data
Experience in analysing VMS/AIS data
Experience in the field of data analysis, use of databases and confident use of R and ArcGIS
Willingness and ability to work in an interdisciplinary project environment
Strong collaboration and communication skills and a proven publication background
Your personal requirements profile:
Ability to work in a team and strong cooperation and communication skills
A high degree of self-organisation
Ability to analyse complex ecological issues
Flexibility and adaptability, also with regard to seagoing field work and the coordination of fishery-dependent sampling
Ability to present facts in writing and orally for different target groupspresent
Application- and solution-orientated work
Willingness to travel for several days
Our Offer:
Responsibility and a sense of purpose: responsible work in a dedicated team, involvement in a dynamic, interdisciplinary research institute and proximity to current policy and practice-relevant topics
Flexibility and work-life balance: flexible working time models, fundamental possibility of part-time employment as well as mobile working and teleworking, certified employer berufundfamilie audit with a wide range of offers for reconciling work and life phases
Prospects: further training opportunities for the area of responsibility and individual development
Benefits: employment based on collective agreements with attractive social benefits (e.g. company pension
scheme, one-off annual payment, capital-forming benefits)
Health: company health management and preventative healthcare programmes
Mobility: JobTicket, public transport connections, free parking spaces and the option of using e-charging stations
The Thünen Institute promotes professional equality between women and men and therefore expressly welcomes applications from women.
We live in a diverse and cosmopolitan community. The Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute is committed to inclusion. Applications from people with severe disabilities are therefore expressly welcome. These will be given preferential consideration in the selection process. Please enclose proof of severe disability or equal status with your application.
If you have any technical questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Vanessa Stelzenmüller ( vanessa.stelzenmueller@thuenen.de ).
If you have an international degree, please also include a certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) with your application. If you do not yet have a certificate evaluation, you must apply for one if your application is successful. Further information can be found at.
Please send your application with a cover letter, tabular CV, description of your education and professional career, copies of certificates, list of publications and at least two references, quoting the reference number "2025-277-SF", in a single PDF file by 19 January 2026 to sf-bewerbungen@thuenen.de.
We look forward to receiving your application!
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