Postdoctoral Ocean Floor Fellows (f/m/d)

The Cluster of Excellence “The Ocean Floor - Earth's Uncharted Interface”at the Universities of Bremen and Oldenburg, and associated partners, is seeking to fill, subject to the approval of funds, starting as soon as possible, up to 9 positions for

with 100% of the weekly working hours
for a fixed-term period until at most December 31, 2028 (according to § 2 WissZeitVG).

The place of employment, number weekly working hours and remuneration (TV-L or TVöD) depend on the partner institution where the project will be located.

International applications are expressly encouraged. We aim to increase the proportion of women and strongly encourage female applicants to apply.

The Cluster of Excellence is a joint project of the Universities of Bremen and Oldenburg and a consortium of five partner institutions: Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Constructor University and the Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg – Institute for Advanced Study.

Funded by the German Excellence Strategy, the cluster quantifies exchange processes at the ocean floor and investigates their role in the Earth system. The cluster's research portfolio consists of projects that (i) decipher the processes that control the transport of biogenic particles to the ocean floor under changing climate conditions, (ii) balance the transfer of carbon and other elements between the ocean floor and seawater, (iii) investigate how ecosystems on the ocean floor react to environmental changes and (iv) develop scenarios for a “warmer world” from climate archives on the ocean floor with the help of climate models.

Further information about the Cluster of Excellence can be found at .

The postdoctoral fellows are invited to develop their own research project aligned with the research portfolio of the Cluster. In line with the project’s direction and infrastructural requirements, the fellows will be associated with the research groups of matching principal investigators and/or key researchers (see above website). We encourage applicants to suggest new ideas and/or new methodological approaches that could advance our existing research program. The selection of the fellows will be made in a two-step process. After an initial screening of the applications, shortlisted candidates will be brought in contact with matching scientific members of the Cluster to exchange information that facilitates further development of their project proposal. The project will then be presented during an interview.

Along these central research topics, the Cluster offers a structured training for early career researchers in an interdisciplinary framework of marine biogeochemistry, marine geosciences, marine (micro)biology and (paleo)climatology. The cluster offers a versatile program in which researchers can strengthen their professional competence and develop their personal skills. The program offers rich opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration across different disciplines of marine sciences. Further details on the training program can be found at . Ocean Floor Fellows will have the opportunity to contribute to the tailored training program of the Cluster.

It is recommended to contact the cluster spokesperson Prof. Heiko Pälike ( [email protected] ) for further information.

• A completed scientific university degree (Master's, university diploma) in the natural sciences, mathematics or engineering.
• A completed doctoral degree in the natural sciences, mathematics or engineering.
• A track record in marine or environmental research, demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications in international journals, and/or an outstanding PhD thesis.
• Research interests aligned with the major objectives of the Cluster.
• Enjoy working in a diverse and interdisciplinary atmosphere and very good English language skills.
• Interest in participating in seagoing expeditions and in collaborating with international partners of the Cluster.

• A secure salary and statutory health and social insurance.
• In the Cluster of Excellence, Ocean Floor Fellows are mentored by a team of experienced scientists and benefit from a large international network of researchers.
• We offer flexible working hours and the opportunity to work remotely. In addition, 30 days of vacation are standard.
• Our health management offers you, e.g., discounted company fitness programs, as well as internal health-promoting offers (e.g. health courses).
• Easy access to your workplace by public transport or bicycle.

All partner institutions in the cluster pursue a strategy of diversity. We therefore welcome all applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

Disabled persons with essentially equal professional and personal qualifications will be given priority when applying.

We look forward to receiving your application in English, including a letter of motivation, a CV with degree certificates, a list of publications, and a brief research proposal (2 pages max.). The proposal should include initial ideas for a project host (from the list of Cluster PIs and Key Researchers) and partner institution. Please clearly identify the link to the Cluster’s research objectives, and topics, and include contact details of two potential referees.

Please send your application under the reference number A032-26 until the 13.04.2026to the spokesperson of the Cluster as a single PDF file by electronic mail to:

[email protected]

or by mail to:

MARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen
Prof. Dr. Heiko Pälike
Leobener Straße 8
28359 Bremen
Bremen, Germany

Please note that no photos are to be attached to the application documents. We ask you to submit only copies (no portfolios), as we cannot return them.

Once the selection process has been completed, your application documents will be stored in accordance with the legal requirements and then destroyed. Any costs for the application procedure cannot be reimbursed.