Junior Professorship (W 1) in Physical Oceanography

Overview

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Kiel University, in cooperation with GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, invites applications for a Junior Professorship (W 1) in Physical Oceanography with temporary civil service status for an initial period of four years.

Position Details

Location: Kiel, Germany
Employer: Kiel University / GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
Job Type: Full time, Temporary civil service (Civil servant)
Posted: 30 October 2025
Application Deadline: 14 December 2025

Responsibilities

• Represent the field of Physical Oceanography in research and teaching.
• Initiate and lead internationally recognized research in process‑oriented observational Physical Oceanography and comparative model‑data analysis.
• Focus areas may 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.
• Apply modern observational methods (research expeditions, moorings, gliders, turbulence probes) and data‑science techniques, including artificial intelligence and digital twin integration.
• Participate actively in research collaborations within the GEOMAR unit and encourage interdisciplinary cooperation with Kiel University (KMS framework) and external partners.
• Teach in English and, if applicable, in German in the Kiel Bachelor’s and Master’s programs “Physics of the Earth System” and “Climate Physics” (teachings concept required).

Qualifications

• A completed PhD in Physical Oceanography or a related discipline.
• Internationally peer‑reviewed publications in Physical Oceanography.
• Experience in academic teaching and successful acquisition of third‑party funding is an advantage.
• International collaborations within and outside the EU are welcomed.
• Strong interest in modern observational methods, artificial intelligence, data science, and model‑data integration.

Application Requirements

The application should be submitted as a single PDF file via e‑mail to and include the following documents:

• Curriculum vitae with list of publications.
• List of externally funded projects (if applicable).
• List of courses taught.
• Copies of academic degrees.
• A compelling research and teaching concept (max. 6 pages in total).
• Two references.
• Private and institutional contact details (address, phone number, e‑mail).

Preferred submission date: 14 December 2025 (single PDF via e‑mail). The application is addressed to the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Christian‑Albrechts‑Universität zu Kiel, Olshausenstr. 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany.

Contact

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

Equal Opportunity

Kiel University and GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel encourage qualified women to apply. Women will be given priority if their aptitude, qualifications, and professional performance are of equal value. The institutions are committed to employing people with disabilities and welcome applications from persons with migration backgrounds. Application photographs are not required and applicants are asked not to submit them.

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