Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research (IOW), Warnemünde

Job announcement (CHE 04/2025)

The Department of Marine Chemistry at the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) invites applications for a

Scientist (PostDoc)

position, subject to funding by BfN, in the project KOFI ("Study on the development of carbon storage and biodiversity after exclusion of fisheries in the Natura 2000 area Fehmarnbelt"). The fixed-term position will start earliest on 01.01.2026 and continues until 31.03.2030 with a percentage of 100% (40h/week). A temporary or permanent reduction in working hours, e.g. to attend to family duties, is possible. However, the position must be filled with at least 30 working hours per week. Remuneration is paid according to the public sector employment (TV-L EG 13).

The IOW is an independent research institute within the Leibniz Association, engaged in system analysis of coastal and marginal seas, with a special focus on the Baltic Sea. The scientists at the five departments (Biological Oceanography, Marine Chemistry, Marine Geoscience, Physical Oceanography and Marine Observation) cooperate within the framework of a joint research program.

Project and job description

Within KOFI, the long-term carbon storage of marine sediments and the role of bottom trawling for the release of sedimentary carbon in the Fehmarnbelt Natura2000 area will be investigated. A newly established bottom trawling exclusion zone offers the opportunity to follow the regeneration of the sediments in the coming years, with a focus on the size and composition of the carbon inventory. The position is located in the working group "Organic Trace Substances” (Webseite der AG) at IOW. The work in KOFI is carried out in cooperation with the other work packages of the research project in the geosciences and biology, in which changes in biodiversity, microbial activity and sediment morphology are investigated.

The scientific work within the project framework includes

• Further development of a sampling strategy to address the research question, planning and implementation of the corresponding field work
• Processing sediment, porewater and water samples for carbon analysis, carrying out the analyses
• Application of spectroscopic and mass spectrometric methods to characterize natural organic material
• Data evaluation using suitable statistical methods
• Presentation of research results in the form of scientific publications, conference papers and reports
• Cooperation with other marine research institutes (e.g. development of a guideline for the standardized determination of carbon storage capacity).

Your qualification

You hold a Master’s degree or equivalent skills and experiences as well as a completed PhD in chemistry, geochemistry, environmental sciences, chemical oceanography or an equivalent discipline. Experience in instrumental analysis is necessary for successfully addressing the project aims, ideally you have already used spectroscopic and/or mass spectrometric methods and would like to develop these further and adapt them to the research question. Regular participation in cruises and their organization are essential to obtain samples at sea together with the project consortium. Good knowledge of data analysis and statistics is an advantage. A good command of English language is required, knowledge of German language is desirable. An independent way of working, reliability and teamwork are important in this interdisciplinary project.

Working at IOW

The Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research offers a diverse working environment next to the Baltic Sea. Interdisciplinary research topics on brackish and marine ecosystems, broad in-house expertise in physical, chemical, and biological oceanography and marine geology, state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, and infrastructure, together with modern facilities, provide an excellent framework for the planned research.

The job advertisement is aimed at all persons regardless of their gender. Research benefits from a diverse working environment, which is why we have signed the Diversity Charter. The IOW promotes equal opportunities and holds the Total E-Quality award (website TOTAL E-QUALITY e. V.). An overview of our measures for equal opportunities and to improve the compatibility of work and family can be found at https://www.io-warnemuende.de/equal-opportunity.html.

Applications from female candidates are explicitly encouraged. Applications of disabled persons with the same professional and personal qualifications will be treated preferentially. Please indicate a handicap in the cover letter and enclose the relevant certificate.

Application

Please include in your application documents a CV, copies of your certificates, a description of relevant activities and experience as well as any certificates you may have and the contact information for two references. Please also enclose a scientific text (publication, report) written by you in English or German language which you consider to be most relevant to the project.

We look forward to receiving your application with the reference CHE 04/2025 by 05 October 2025, preferably by email to

The interviews are expected to take place in the week of October 20-24, 2025.

Unfortuately, we cannot cover your application and travel costs.

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Helena Osterholz, helena.osterholz@io-warnemuende.d