PhD position: Marine molecular chronobiology – Deadline 02 July 2026

The position will be located in the BICLOPS group, which investigates Biological Clocks in Pelagic Systems. Affiliated with the Marine Chronobiology working group, it is part of the AWI section Polar Biological Oceanography, which uses a wide spectrum of physiological and genetic analyses to understand biological processes in the open ocean.

The focus of the advertised position is on the molecular/mechanistic understanding of light sensing and internal clock control in a key North Atlantic zooplankton species, the copepod Calanus finmarchicus. Like countless other pelagic organisms, the copepods perform diel vertical migrations that shape the daily light cycles they encounter. As light synchronizes internal clocks, and clocks affect migration behavior, this creates a chicken-and-egg paradox. We explore how clocks can function in such “self-made” pelagic environments.

• Locate sites of light receptor (opsin) and clock gene expression within the Calanus body
• Characterize the spectral sensitivity of selected opsin light receptors
• Explore how different light characteristics (intensity/spectrum) affect Calanus diel rhythms of clock, physiology, and behavior
• Possibility to participate in student supervision and teaching activities

• MSc in either molecular biology, marine biology, genetics or a related field
• Experience with in situ stainings/imaging and/or cell culture work
• Experience with molecular work (e.g. cloning, sequence analysis, qPCR)
• Motivation to explore a new topic (zooplankton chronobiology)
• Ability to work in a team
• Good English knowledge (approximately equivalent to CEFR level B1+B2)

• Experience in chronobiology
• Experience with marine and/or non-model organisms
• Experience with physiological and/or behavioral analysis

• 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

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: rather infrequent (once or twice a year)
• Expeditions: may 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 Sören Häfker (soeren.haefker@awi.de; +49 471 4831-2360).
If you have any general questions about the application process, our Recruiting team will be glad to support you – please contact Sarah Palme (bewerbungsmanagement@awi.de, +49 471 4831-1853).
In this overview you will find further contact persons for various matters.

This is a full-time position, limited to 3 years. The intended start date is October 2026. 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.

• 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
• 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 July 2^nd, 2026. We kindly ask you to apply in German or English. No photo is required – we value your qualifications and experience.

Reference number: 26/51/D/Bio-b