Senior Scientist Hydrochemistry of Coastal Permafrost

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.

Senior Scientist "Hydrochemistry of Coastal Permafrost" (m/f/d)

Background

Arctic warming is exposing permafrost coastlines to rapid thaw and erosion. Arctic permafrost coasts account for 34% of the Earth’s coasts, and the Arctic nearshore zone makes up to 20% of the shelves of the Arctic Ocean, a much greater proportion than for the rest of the Earth. Arctic warming and sea level rise lead to coastline erosion, a rapid form of permafrost degradation, which releases large amounts of previously frozen particulate and dissolved organic matter to the nearshore zone. Quantifying the potential impacts of increasing erosion on coastal ecosystems is crucial for food security of northern residents living in Arctic coastal communities. Organic matter and nutrient budgets are urgently needed for coupling to ESMs.

At the earliest possible starting date, we are looking fora senior scientist (m/f/d) who will develop and maintain long-term nearshore hydrochemical measurements and couple those to hydrodynamical measurements. The goal is to quantify fluxes of organic matter, nutrients, and contaminants from land to sea by characterising coastal deposits, nearshore sediments and the water column. You will assess the transport and degradation pathways of sediment, organic matter and nutrients derived from erosion using biogeochemical methods and contribute to refining Arctic coastal carbon, nutrient and sediment budgets.

Tasks

• Independent and strategic development of nearshore hydrochemical and hydrodynamic measurement setup in the Canadian Arctic
• Applying laboratory and field observation approaches from various disciplines such as inorganic and organic geochemistry, geomorphology, isotope geochemistry, oceanography, sedimentology, drilling, geophysics and underwater remote sensing
• Independent sample processing in the laboratory, data evaluation and publication of the results
• Conception of scientific, logistical and financial background for operating the coastal observatory on Herschel Island, Canada
• Supervising Bachelor, Masters and PhD theses in the field of coastal permafrost
• Organising conference sessions and contribute presentations to international meetings
• Attracting third party funding for research projects in the field of coastal permafrost

Requirements

• PhD in geosciences or related discipline
• Extensive practical experience in Arctic coastal research (land-based and sea-based)
• Long-term experience in permafrost hydrochemistry and biogeochemistry
• Experience in planning, conducting and leading scientific expeditions in the Arctic, especially in Canada together with regional and local stakeholders
• Very good knowledge of the research landscape and research management structures in Canada
• Extensive scientific and technical expertise in organic and inorganic hydrochemical and biogeochemical methods
• Scientific and technical expertise in the deployment, maintenance and use of under-water geophysical and hydrochemical sensors
• Scientific expertise in stable isotope geochemistry
• Scientific expertise in geochronology
• Experience in the supervision of Bachelor, Masters and PhD Students
• Strong publication record in scientific journals as well as experience in participating in international conferences, reviewing scientific articles and attraction of third party funding for own research projects
• Teaching experience at universities (Master level)
• Leadership skills (e.g. leading science projects, membership in international organizations and committees)
• Experience with German- and/or English-speaking education and outreach activities
• Experience presenting research in the media (radio, TV, print, social media)
• Very good communication skills and fluency in written and spoken English are necessary

Further Information

For further information please contact
Prof. Dr. Hugues Lantuit
(Hugues.Lantuit@awi.de, +49 (0)331 288 2216).
This is a full-time position, limited to 3 years with option for approval (tenure track). It is also suitable for part-time employment. Tenure time can be shortened depending on the candidate’s degree of qualification. 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

14
.
The place of employment will be
Potsdam.

The AWI is characterised by

• our scientific success - excellent research.
• collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary.
• opportunities to develop – on the job, aiming at other positions and beyond AWI.
• a culture of reconciling work and family – an audited and well-supported aspect of our operation
• our outstanding research infrastructure – ships, stations, aircraft, laboratories and more.
• an international environment – everyday contacts with people from all over the world.
• having an influence – fundamental research with social and political relevance
• flat hierarchies – facilitating freedom and responsibility
• exciting science topics, with opportunities also in technology, administration and infrastructure

Equal opportunities are an integral part of our personnel policy. The AWI aims to increase the number of female employees and therefore strongly encourages qualified women to apply.

Disabled applicants will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.
The AWI fosters the compatibility of work and family in various ways and has received a number of awards as a result of this engagement.
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