Work group:
Institute of Coastal Ocean Dynamics
Area of research:
Other
Part-Time Suitability:
The position is suitable for part-time employment.
Starting date:
25.08.2025
Job description: PhD Position
Reference code: 50136009_4 ? 2025/KD 2
Commencement date: as soon as possible
Work location: Geesthacht (near Hamburg)
Application deadline: September 21st, 2025
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to investigate the interactions between wind and waves. Understanding energy and scalar fluxes across the air-sea interface is crucial for a number of environmental challenges, including weather, climate and sea state forecasting. The Air-Sea Fluxes group at the Institute of Coastal Ocean Dynamics conducts laboratory- and field-based research, by developing and deploying unique, novel high-resolution imaging systems to investigate submillimeter-scale turbulent dynamics in multiphase environments such as the ocean surface.
The project is part of the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) ?Energy transfers in atmosphere and ocean? funded by the German Research Foundation, and is conducted together with partners from the Universities of Hamburg and Bremen, as well as others. The candidate will use novel particle image velocimetry measurements within the first millimeters to centimeters above and below surface waves, to quantify, understand and parametrize wind-wave energy flux mechanisms. The overall goal of the research project is to develop process understanding and parametrizations that lead to improved, energetically consistent, climate models. Close collaboration with the other research areas of the CRC is expected, and more information can be found at
We invite applications for a PhD position in the area of Air Sea Fluxes at the Institute of Coastal Ocean Dynamics with preferred starting date 1st October, 2025. The position is limited to 3 years.
Equal opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy. We would therefore strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the position.
Your tasks
#designing, planning and performing laboratory (wind-wave facility) experiments, using state-of-the-art imaging techniques
#developing computational codes to process and understand large experimental datasets (e.g., image processing)
#analyzing experimental results; developing conceptual models and parameterizations
#scientific publication and presentation
#working as an integral part of a motivated multidisciplinary team within the institute and with external academic partners
Your profile
Essential qualifications:
#a MSc degree in oceanography, fluid mechanics, geosciences, physics, mechanical engineering or related disciplines
#programming skills in one or more languages (Matlab, Python, R, C, Fortran)
#excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken)
#high degree of motivation, creativity, and flexibility
#ability and willingness to participate in sea-going research
Desirable qualifications:
#experience in processing and interpretation of observational data
#practical fluid mechanics experience in the lab or in the field
#international research experience
#academic publication record
#willingness to learn German
For further questions please contact Dr. Marc Buckley (marc.buckley@hereon.de).
We offer
#an exciting and varied job in a research centre with around 1,000 employees from more than 60 nations
#a well-connected research campus (public transport bus) and best networking opportunities
#individual opportunities for further training
#social benefits according to the collective agreement of the public service and remuneration up to pay group 13 according to TV EntgO Bund
#an excellent technical infrastructure and modern workplace equipment
#6 weeks holiday per year; company holidays between Christmas and New Year's Day
#very good compatibility private and professional life; offers of mobile and flexible work
#PhD Buddy Program
#family-friendly company policy with childcare facilities, e. g. nursery close to the company
#free assistance program for employees (EAP)
#corporate benefits
#a varied offer in the canteen on campus
Interested?
Then we are looking forward to receiving your comprehensive application documents (cover letter, CV, transcripts, certificates etc.) indicating the reference number code no. 2025/KD 2 until 21.09.2025.
Apply now
JOBS.HEREON.DE/sap/bc/erecruiting/applwzd
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