AWI cooperates with leading universities in the Earth System Sciences who accompany the selection and support process. As an internationally renowned Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research, the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) is one of the very few scientific institutions in the world that are equally active in the Arctic and Antarctic. It coordinates German polar research efforts, while also conducting research in the North Sea and adjacent coastal regions in Germany. Combining outstanding research infrastructure, cutting edge field work, and innovative modelling approaches the Alfred Wegener Institute explores nearly all aspects of the Earth system and its biodiversity – from the atmosphere to the ocean floor, from land and coasts to the ice-covered seas.The final selection of candidates will be carried out by external expert panels advising the president of the Helmholtz Association. Helmholtz Investigator Groups (Standard Track) and Innovation Exploration Groups (Pilot Track) of successful applicants will be hosted at the AWI. Funding is on the order of €350,000 per year for a period of five years, with potential access to further substantial research infrastructure depending on internal negotiation within AWI.
The outstanding researchers are at maximum six years of academic age. The outstanding researchers are at least two years of academic age.
~International research experience as demonstrated by a continuous research stay abroad for at least 6 months during the doctoral or postdoctoral studies.
~You can apply in any field of research in which you have recently excelled if it is generally related to the AWI's research program. This can be demonstrated by a grand idea supported by a first own publication and a CV fit for an ERC application.Helmholtz Investigator Group leaders collaborate closely with a German partner university. Pilot Track
~The outstanding researchers have completed their PhD.
Standard TrackThe initial AWI-internal selection of candidates for the Standard Track will take place in cooperation with a German university.
#Outstanding scientific achievements and research experience of the candidate (CV, publications, citation index, awards, etc.)
#Quality of the planned research project (innovation capacity, relevance, structure, coherence, feasibility)
#Leadership qualities and the ability to supervise inter(national) and diverse doctoral researchers
#Compatibility with AWI´s research program
#The candidate’s ability to present the essence of their research in a concise manner and to convincingly defend their ideas will also play a role.
Pilot Track
The initial AWI-internal selection of candidates for the Pilot Track will take place in cooperation with the AWI Technology Transfer Office.
#