Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Bremen

The Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) GmbH (www.leibniz-zmt.de) is an independent research and teaching institute that provides scientific knowledge for the protection and sustainable use of tropical coastal ecosystems. To this end, we work in an inter- and transdisciplinary manner with our partners in the tropics. The ZMT is a member of the Leibniz Association.

Program Area Coastal Transformation is looking to hire a postdoc / senior scientist for a period of three years (subject to release of funds).

This position addresses market instruments for coastal climate solutions, with particular attention to governance, political economy, and distributional equity. Blue carbon pilot projects and blue climate pledges are emerging rapidly, building upon the ability of coastal ecosystems to store carbon and contribute to resilience. Arguably, standards ought to be even higher, with a ‘no harm’ principle in relation to coastal communities. This position is tasked to generate the currently missing social science research on how these projects could benefit coastal communities, how carbon markets and business models do and could work and how broader climate and coastal governance could enable co-benefits and risk mitigation. Expected tasks include an overview on emerging blue carbon schemes against the background of legal, institutional and participatory mechanisms; collaborative work with coastal communities and tropical countries; assessing equity outcomes, vulnerabilities including gender-related empowerment; willingness and ability to work on scenarios; and the development of multi-actor forward-looking strategies. Strategies for bridging knowledge gaps between international finance and politics and local actors (including indigenous and other traditional populations) will be a particular asset for candidates and part of the position. The scope could be extended to include broader nature-based solutions for coastal ecosystems.

(Reference: 7-PB3-PD)

Your tasks:

• Design a forward-looking research agenda starting with an overview on emerging blue carbon schemes at multiple system levels
• Analyse the influence of cross-scale linkages on blue carbon programs, including how local communities and economies connect to global markets, questions of access, distribution of responsibilities and risks, accountability and power relations across actors.
• Proactively focus on equity and distributional outcomes, empowerment of women and vulnerable groups
• Work collaboratively with coastal communities in the tropics to co-develop forward-looking strategies that address long-term governance, equity, and climate justice.
• Carry out a pilot project, for example in Colombia or Indonesia
• Publish in refereed journals and produce other outputs (e.g. policy briefs)
• Develop and submit relevant third-party funding proposals, e.g., for multi-year fellowships at the ZMT

Requirements:

• Excellent PhD with research in a relevant area (Economic geography, political science, political ecology, development economics, development studies, natural resource policy, environmental economics, environmental sociology, international law).
• Research experience in a tropical context
• Ability to work cooperatively and constructively in an interdisciplinary team, as well as independently
• Ability to get along respectfully with people of diverse backgrounds, and work effectively in an intercultural context
• Experience in Indonesia, Colombia, and Spanish or Bahasa Indonesia language skills desirable

Further information:

For questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Marie Fujitani, email: Marie.Fujitani(at)leibniz-zmt.de

Details of position:

Salary will be paid according to the German TV-L (EG 13). The position is available for full-time employment starting as soon as possible for 36 months. The fixed term is for academic qualification according to § 2 (1) WissZeitVG (Wissen-schaftszeitvertragsgesetz). Accordingly, only applicants who still have the relevant qualification periods according to § 2 (1) WissZeitVG can be considered. The position is intended to provide further academic qualification.

ZMT is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants with a migration background are welcome. Persons with severe disabilities are given special consideration if they have the same professional and personal qualifications. The ZMT values its diverse workforce and pursues the goal of providing equal opportunity, which incorporates gender neutrality (gn). We will be happy to accept your documents without a photo.

We offer:

• A challenging and varied job in an international, dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment
• A motivated and committed team from different countries and cultures
• An open and cooperative working atmosphere
• Opportunities for personal and professional development
• Interesting, varied and challenging tasks and family-friendly working conditions
• Company pension plan (VBL)
• Company health promotion and the opportunity to participate in company fitness with EGYM Wellpass

Submission of application:

Please submit CV including publication list, a letter of motivation, a short (max two pages) research plan, and one relevant publication or thesis chapter by 20.03.2026 as a single pdf file with the reference number "7-PB3-PD” to Ms. Lena de Carné-Oehlmann, email: bewerbung(at)leibniz-zmt.de.

Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Fahrenheitstraße 6, D-28359 Bremen.