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 role of atmospheric circulation variability in Antarctic sea ice and Southern Ocean change" (position #3) (m/f/d) Background
The Climate Dynamics section at the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) in Bremerhaven, Germany, invites applications for a three-year PhD position on the drivers of recent and future Antarctic sea ice change.

You will be part of a recently-funded Helmholtz Young Investigator Group “Southern Ocean & Antarctic Sea ice Evolution (SO-ASE): Understanding the drivers of Southern Ocean SST and sea ice change from the satellite era to a warmer world.” Antarctic sea ice gradually expanded for the first 35 years of the satellite record, before dramatically declining. Our group aims to tease apart the physical processes that have caused this surprising behaviour, and develop understanding of how Antarctic sea ice and the wider Southern Ocean may change in the future. We will use multi-resolution climate models, novel climate model experimental techniques, and observations. This position will focus on atmospheric circulation and its interactions with Antarctic sea ice.
Your Tasks
You will investigate the role of wind variability in Southern Ocean sea surface and sea ice change. You will examine the characteristics and origins of changes in winds, as well as their dynamic and thermodynamic impact on sea ice and the Southern Ocean. This will entail analysis of observations and climate model simulations, and presentation of results at conferences and in scientific journals. Depending on the progress of the work, you may also pursue research ideas that are related to the overall goals of the group.
Your Profile

• Master in climate science, oceanography, atmospheric science, mathematics, physics, computer science or a related field
• Some experience with programming (e.g., Python)
• Strong communication skills in English, both written and spoken
• Teamwork and project management skills

Further Information
For any questions you may have, you are very welcome to get in touch with Dr Lettie Roach (lettie.roach@awi.de; https://lettie-roach.github.io).

This position is limited to 3 years. 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%). 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.
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, physical abilities, 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 has received several awards as a result of this commitment. 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 by December 31st 2024, exclusively online.
Your application should include a letter of motivation, a CV including copies of certificates, a publication list if applicable, and contact information of two referees/letters of recommendation.

Reference number: 24/196/D/Kli-b