PhD Position

Reference code: 50136009_2 – 2025/KD 2
Commencement date: 1st June, 2025
Work location: Geesthacht (near Hamburg)
Application deadline: April 21st, 2025

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to investigate the interactions between wind, waves, and sea-surface monolayers. Understanding energy and scalar fluxes across the air-sea interface is crucial for a number of environmental challenges, including weather, climate and sea state forecasting. The Air-Sea Fluxes group at the Institute of Coastal Ocean Dynamics conducts laboratory- and field-based research, by developing and deploying unique, novel high-resolution imaging systems to investigate submillimeter-scale turbulent dynamics in multiphase environments such as the ocean surface. 

The project is part of the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) “Energy transfers in atmosphere and ocean” funded by the German Research Foundation, and is conducted together with partners from the Universities of Hamburg and Bremen, as well as others. The candidate will use novel particle image velocimetry measurements within the first millimeters to centimeters above and below surface waves, to quantify, understand and parametrize wind-wave energy flux mechanisms. The overall goal of the research project is to develop process understanding and parametrizations that lead to improved, energetically consistent, climate models. Close collaboration with the other research areas of the CRC is expected, and more information can be found at www.trr-energytransfers.de. 

We invite applications for a PhD position in the area of Air Sea Fluxes at the Institute of Coastal Ocean Dynamics with preferred starting date 1st June, 2025. The position is limited to 3 years. 

Equal opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy. We would therefore strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the position. 

Your tasks

• designing, planning and performing laboratory (wind-wave facility) experiments, using state-of-the-art imaging techniques
• developing computational codes to process and understand large experimental datasets (e. g., image processing)
• analyzing experimental results; developing conceptual models and parameterizations
• scientific publication and presentation
• working as an integral part of a motivated multidisciplinary team within the institute and with external academic partners

Your profile

Essential qualifications:

• a MSc degree in oceanography, fluid mechanics, geosciences, physics, mechanical engineering or related disciplines
• programming skills in one or more languages (Matlab, Python, R, C, Fortran)
• excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken)
• high degree of motivation, creativity, and flexibility
• ability and willingness to participate in sea-going research

Desirable qualifications:

• experience in processing and interpretation of observational data
• practical fluid mechanics experience in the lab or in the field
• international research experience
• academic publication record
• willingness to learn German

For further questions please contact Dr. Marc Buckley ([email protected]).

We offer you

• an exciting and varied job in a research centre with around 1,000 employees from more than 60 nations
• a well-connected research campus (public transport bus) and best networking opportunities
• individual opportunities for further training
• social benefits according to the collective agreement of the public service and remuneration up to pay group 13 according to TV EntgO Bund
• an excellent technical infrastructure and modern workplace equipment
• 6 weeks holiday per year; company holidays between Christmas and New Year's Day
• very good compatibility private and professional life; offers of mobile and flexible work
• PhD Buddy Program
• family-friendly company policy with childcare facilities, e. g. nursery close to the company
• free assistance program for employees (EAP)
• corporate benefits
• a varied offer in the canteen on campus

Interested?

Then we are looking forward to receiving your comprehensive application documents (cover letter, CV, transcripts, certificates etc.) indicating the reference number 2025/KD 2 until April 21st, 2025.