Junior Professorship (W 1) in Physical Oceanography

Junior Professorship (W 1) in Physical Oceanography

Employer

Kiel University/GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel

Location

Kiel, Germany

Sector

Ocean Sciences (OS)

Type

Full time

Level

Experienced

Open

Required education

PhD

14 December 2025

Posted

30 October 2025

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Kiel University, and GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel invite applications for a Junior Professorship (W 1) in Physical Oceanography with temporary civil service status for an initial period of four years (first phase) to start at the earliest possible time. The future position holder is expected to represent the field of Physical Oceanography in both research and teaching. The junior professorship (W 1) 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 junior professor is expected to initiate and lead excellent and internationally recognized research in the field of Physical Oceanography.

Applicants’ research interests should lie in the area of process-oriented observational physical oceanography and comparative model-data analysis. They should align with the research profile of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and the Physical Oceanography research unit. Possible areas of research focus include: ocean and climate dynamics, wind-driven and thermohaline circulation, water mass transformation, mesoscale and submesoscale variability, internal waves, mixing processes, and atmosphere-ocean interactions. A particular interest in applying various modern observational methods (e.g., research expeditions, moorings, gliders, turbulence probes), in modern data analysis, artificial intelligence, data science methods, or in the integration of data and models into digital twins of the ocean is highly desirable. Active participation in research collaborations within the research division is expected. Interdisciplinary cooperation with other research groups at Kiel University, especially within the Kiel Marine Science (KMS) framework, as well as with GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, is explicitly encouraged.

A completed university degree, a doctorate/PhD in Physical Oceanography or a related discipline, and internationally peer-reviewed publications in the field of Physical Oceanography are required. Experience in academic teaching and in successfully acquiring third-party funding is an advantage. International collaborations within and outside the EU are welcome. The professorship includes teaching in English and, if applicable, in German within the Kiel Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in “Physics of the Earth System” and “Climate Physics.” A suitable teaching concept for these programs must be submitted with the application. Reference is made to the recruitment requirements set out in § 64 of the Higher Education Act of the State of Schleswig-Holstein. If the interim evaluation of the first phase of the junior professorship is positive, it is intended to extend the temporary civil servant position for an additional two years (second phase). 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 with 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 two references) should be submitted, indicating both private and institutional contact details (address, phone number, and email), by December 14, 2025 — preferably in a single PDF file via email to — to:
Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Olshausenstr. 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany.

For more details about the position and the research unit, please contact
Prof. Dr. Peter Brandt ( ).

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