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 Data Science/Bioinformatics for Marine and Arctic Biodiversity (f/x/d/m)
Background
Long-term monitoring of marine and Arctic ecosystems generates large volumes of biological and environmental data, but current analysis methods only partly capture the information they contain. This project, part of the Helmholtz School for Marine Data Science (MarDATA), will develop new data science methods to improve the interpretation of biodiversity patterns from long-term Arctic and marine monitoring data, building on an extensive existing data archive.
The position offers the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree as a member of the Helmholtz School for Marine Data Science (MarDATA). MarDATA’s interdisciplinary focus spans supercomputing, modelling, (bio)informatics, robotics, statistics, and big data methodologies. Doctoral researchers benefit from a structured training program that promotes cross-disciplinary collaboration and provides in-depth scientific insight as well as a systematic approach to marine data science. For more information, visit: https://www.mardata.de/.
Long-term monitoring of marine and Arctic ecosystems generates large volumes of biological and environmental data, but current analysis methods only partly capture the information they contain. This project, part of the Helmholtz School for Marine Data Science (MarDATA), will develop new data science methods to improve the interpretation of biodiversity patterns from long-term Arctic and marine monitoring data, building on an extensive existing data archive.
The position offers the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree as a member of the Helmholtz School for Marine Data Science (MarDATA). MarDATA’s interdisciplinary focus spans supercomputing, modelling, (bio)informatics, robotics, statistics, and big data methodologies. Doctoral researchers benefit from a structured training program that promotes cross-disciplinary collaboration and provides in-depth scientific insight as well as a systematic approach to marine data science. For more information, visit: https://www.mardata.de/.
Your Tasks
- Development and application of advanced data science methods, including transformer-based models, to marine and Arctic biodiversity data
- Work with large-scale biological and environmental datasets (sequencing data, eDNA)
- Contribution to method development in close collaboration with the supervision team
- Publication of results in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at conferences
Your Profile
- Master’s degree (e.g. MSc) in computer science, (bio)informatics, or a closely related field, ideally with a focus on AI or data science
- Strong interest in ecological questions
- Experience in the application of various ML algorithms, including supervised algorithms for environmental predictions, as well as unsupervised algorithms for clustering and LLMs/Transformers
- Experience with sequence data analysis
- Experience in harmonising and compiling real-world datasets from diverse sources
- Experience using Python and its related libraries for data processing, exploration, and analysis
- Very good command of English (approximately equivalent to CEFR level C1) and the ability to work in an international environment
- Willingness to participate in national/international travel (e.g. conferences, workshops)
Further Information
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 Sonja Hänzelmann (sonja.haenzelmann@awi.de) or Prof Dr Dirk Lorenz (d.lorenz@uni-bremen.de).
If you have any general questions about the application process, our Recruiting team will be glad to support you – please contact Elisabeth Wildt (bewerbungsmanagement@awi.de, +49 471 4831-2236).
In this overview you will find further contact persons for various matters.
This is a full-time position, limited to 3 years, starting on February 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 (100 %). Employment typically starts at experience levels 1 to 3. For more information on the current pay scale, please visit our careers page at https://www.awi.de/en/work-study/jobs/pay.html. 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.
- Contact in day-to-day work: collaboration mainly with more than 5 people
- Communication: predominantly internal (with colleagues and other departments)
in the following ways
- By telephone: rather rarely (once a month or less)
- E-mail: frequently (daily or several times a week)
- Video conferencing (e.g. Webex): frequently (daily or several times a week)
- 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: do not 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 Sonja Hänzelmann (sonja.haenzelmann@awi.de) or Prof Dr Dirk Lorenz (d.lorenz@uni-bremen.de).
If you have any general questions about the application process, our Recruiting team will be glad to support you – please contact Elisabeth Wildt (bewerbungsmanagement@awi.de, +49 471 4831-2236).
In this overview you will find further contact persons for various matters.
This is a full-time position, limited to 3 years, starting on February 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 (100 %). Employment typically starts at experience levels 1 to 3. For more information on the current pay scale, please visit our careers page at https://www.awi.de/en/work-study/jobs/pay.html. 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 and the possibility of mobile working for up to 50% of regular working hours
- Annual special payment in accordance with the German public sector collective agreement (TVöD Bund)
- 30 days of annual leave (full-time), plus additional days off on December 24th and 31st
- 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.
Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.
We strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the advertised position at AWI to reduce the underrepresentation of women.
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.
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 September 16th, 2026. We kindly ask you to apply in English or German. No photo is required – we value your qualifications and experience.
Reference number: 26/83/G/IT-b
Please submit your application online only by September 16th, 2026. We kindly ask you to apply in English or German. No photo is required – we value your qualifications and experience.
Reference number: 26/83/G/IT-b