PhD position in the research project MIA (d/m/x/f)

PhD position in the research project MIA (d/m/x/f)

The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF) and funded by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology, geochemistry and geophysics thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.

PhD position in the research project MIA (d/m/x/f)

Background
For the newly starting Helmholtz Investigator Group "Million-year Ice from Antarctica and the 'Stagnant' Ice Zone:
From Microstructure to Geochemistry (MIA:Mic2Geo)", we seek a highly motivated PhD candidate to investigate the microstructural properties of the deepest part of the European ice core Beyond EPICA Little Dome C (BELDC) dating back at least 1.2 million years.
The research project MIA will unite the international flagship projects Beyond EPICA Oldest Ice (BEOI), Million Year Ice Core (MYI), and NSF Center for Oldest Ice Exploration (COLDEX), allowing to analyse three novel Antarctic ice cores with the focus on the uncharacterised zone of assumedly “stagnant" ice in BELDC. By systematically examining the ice crystal structure and the
distribution of chemical impurities, MIA will gain insights into the possibility of climate signal preservation and ice deformation in BEOI's bottom zone. Thus, MIA will contribute to the forefront of polar and climate research by improving our understanding of the Antarctic climate system and bridging structural glaciology and geochemical analysis across spatial and temporal scales.

The position will be based at AWI Bremerhaven, laying the foundation for a 5-year-long Young Investigator Group, which is aimed at growing to a group size of at least 6 people, excluding temporary B.Sc. and M.Sc. students. The PhD project is embedded in the interdisciplinary AWI glaciology section covering ice core analysis, remote sensing, modelling, and geophysical research. Further, BEOI is an international project, and you will therefore be in frequent exchange with researchers from partner institutes, with the possibility of spending research stays abroad. The project will likely offer opportunities for ice core-related fieldwork in Antarctica or Greenland.

Your Tasks

• Analyse the microstructure (grain size, c-axis orientation, etc.) of the deepest ~200m of the BELDC ice core via designated structural glaciology methods
• Plan and participate in ice core related work in the AWI cold laboratory (-20°C)
• Help in developing and maintaining new devices to investigate the physical properties of ice
• Collaborate with group members to combine microstructural and geochemical data
• Contribute to the scientific interpretation of observations from the BELDC ice core
• Participate in remote field work (4-12 weeks) in Greenland or Antarctica
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present them at national and international conferences
• Conduct public outreach (not necessary, but encouraged)

Your Profile

• Master’s degree or equivalent in geosciences, geology, physics, environmental sciences, geochemistry, geophysics, or a closely related discipline
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary polar and ice core research
• Knowledge of structural geology, basic glaciology, ice sheets, and similar topics
• Experience with cold laboratory work, fieldwork and/or microstructural datasets
• Experience with quantitative data analysis using R, Python, MATLAB, or comparable software; image analysis (FIJI, ImageJ) and GIS experience is advantageous
• Very good command of English (approximately equivalent to CEFR level C1)
• Knowledge of German is advantageous but not required
• Willingness to participate in international field campaigns

Further Information

• Contact in day-to-day work: collaboration mainly with up to 5 people
• Communication: almost equal share (internal/external)
  in the following ways

1. By telephone: occasionally (several times a month) 
2. E-mail: frequently (daily or several times a week) 
3. Video conferencing (e.g. Webex): occasionally (several times a month)
4. Personal contact in presence: frequently (daily or several times a week) 

• Movement around the workplace: regularly within the building (e.g, between departments or floors) 
• Business trips: occasional (several times a year) 
• Expeditions: occur 

Please note that the general conditions listed serve as a guide and may vary depending on the specific area of application.

For further information on the specific position, please reach out to Dr Nicolas Stoll ([email protected];+49 471 4831-1738)
If you have any general questions about the application process, our Recruiting team will be glad to support you – please contact Sarah Palme ([email protected], +49 471 4831-1853).
In this overview you will find further contact persons for various matters.

This position is limited to 3 years, starting January 1st, 2027. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level 13 (66%). Employment typically starts at experience levels 1 to 3. For more information on the current pay scale, please visit our careers page. 
The place of employment will be Bremerhaven.

All doctoral candidates will be members of AWI's postgraduate program POLMAR or another graduate school and thus benefit from a comprehensive training program and extensive support measures. 
We offer

• Excellent research environment with access to globally unique infrastructure, comprehensive datasets, and international expeditions
• Opportunity to develop and pursue independent scientific ideas and innovative research approaches addressing societally relevant questions
• Close scientific collaboration and interdisciplinary cooperation within the institute as well as with national and international partners
• An international working environment with daily interaction with colleagues from around the world
• Opportunities for professional and personal development
• Flexible working hours
• 30 days of annual leave (full-time), plus additional days off on December 24th and 31st
• Annual special payment in accordance with the German public sector collective agreement (TVöD Bund)
• Occupational health promotion and company fitness programme with Hansefit
• Support services and an established culture promoting work–life balance, e.g. through our family office offering childcare services (e.g. holiday programmes) as well as advice on family and care responsibilities
• Occupational pension scheme (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. And 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.

We look forward to your application!
Please submit your application online only by November 12th, 2026. We kindly ask you to apply in English. No photo is required – we value your qualifications and experience.
Reference number: 26/95/D/Geo-b


APPLY NOW! » back to the job market