Job description: Postdoc in biology, marine biology, fisheries biology (x/f/d/m)

Background
Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a key food source for many species in the Southern Ocean. This ecologically critical species is also the target of the largest and fastest-growing fishery in the Southern Ocean. This fishery is regulated by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which aims to manage the fishery sustainably through ecosystem-based approaches that incorporate data on predator populations, ecosystem state, and krill abundance and distribution. The krill fishery is concentrated in the south-west Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean (CCAMLR area 48), a krill hotspot supporting many krill-dependent predators, including penguins, seals, and baleen whales. However, this region is also experiencing rapid warming and ecological shifts, including changes in krill biomass and distribution. In recent years, krill fishery catches have increased steadily, with the allowable catch limit for the entire fishing area 48 being reached for the first time in the last fishing season.

Your Tasks
In general, this project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, represents Germany's research contribution to krill fishery management for CCAMLR. In this context, it will address research tasks defined in several CCAMLR working groups (WGs), with emphasis on the WG-Ecosystem Monitoring and Management (WG-EMM).

Specifically, this project, conducted at AWI within the Section Polar Biological Oceanography, will analyse data from krill fishing operations and explore the potential impact of the fishery on krill populations. This will be achieved through the use of empirical approaches and simulation models exploring different fishing scenarios, including:

• Effects of environmental change, e.g. in temperature
• Shifting abundance and distribution of major krill predators (e.g., whales, penguins, seals)
• Changing fishing pressure on different krill stages (e.g., juvenile, gravid females)
• In addition, hydroacoustic data (ADCP, echosounder) collected by moored devices deployed off the Antarctic Peninsula should be analysed to characterize seasonal krill flux in the region

Your Profile

• PhD in biology, marine biology, fishery management and conservation, or related fields. Strong quantitative skills (statistics, modelling) and experience in processing large data sets (preferably using R or Python)
• Highly motivated and eager to work in an interdisciplinary marine research environment
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines
• Very good English knowledge (approximately equivalent to CEFR-Level C1)
• A background in Antarctic research is beneficial but not essential

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Ability to communicate research to non-scientific audiences, e.g. in the form of presentations, videos or infographics

Further Information

The AWI is characterized by

• Our scientific success - excellent research
• Collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
• Opportunities to develop – on the job and towards other positions
• An international environment – everyday contact with people from all over the world
• Flexible working hours
• Health promotion and company fitness with Hansefit and Wellhub
• Support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
• Occupational pension provision (VBL)

AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. We are convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people regardless of binary and non-binary genders, race and nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, age, disabilities, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, and other identities.

Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.

AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways. As a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our Family Office and International Office will be glad to support you, even before you start at AWI.

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.