Research Associate for the Project “EPOC & UHEAT” § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG
Institution: Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Earth System Sciences, Experimental Oceanography
Salary level: EGR. 13 TV-L
Start date: 01.02.2027, fixed for a period of 21 months (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).
Application deadline: 2026-12-04
Scope of work: full-time position suitable for part-time
The work begins in EPOC, a Horizon Europe project coordinated at the University of Hamburg, asking where the overturning and its heat transport vary independently with latitude, and what the answer implies for the choice of latitudes in a sustained in situ observing system. It continues in UHEAT (Understanding Ocean Heat Content and Its Role in Driving Marine Heatwaves and Ecosystem Responses), funded under EIG CONCERT-Japan with partners at the University of the Balearic Islands/IMEDEA (Spain) and Hokkaido University (Japan).
Your responsibilities
Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue further academic qualifications outside of their work responsibilities.
- establish where the overturning and its heat transport vary independently with latitude, and so where sustained in situ measurement is needed; test candidate choices by subsampling a reanalysis at those locations e.g. with the openly available OceanOSSE code
- build the evidence for that from two directions: a multi-observational estimate of ocean circulation, combining altimetric sea level with ocean-mass fields from the project’s Bayesian framework to approximate the circulation as a two-layer, barotropic and baroclinic system; and the coherence of ocean heat content in space and time, separating locally from remotely forced change
- assemble and analyze the ocean reanalyses this rests on (e.g. ORAS5, GLORYS12, and relate regional ocean heat content change to heat transport convergence, the AMOC and the gyre circulations
- contribute to the regional heat budgets and to the link between ocean heat content change and the occurrence of marine heatwaves, led by partners in Spain
- contribute to open-source software used across the community, including amocatlas, the package of AMOC observing-array records maintained in the group
- coordinate Work Package 2 across the consortium, publish results, present at project meetings and international conferences, and work with MSc students linked to the project
For further information, please contact Prof. Eleanor Frajka-Williams.
Your profile
A university degree in a relevant field, plus doctorate.
- PhD in physical oceanography, climate science, applied mathematics or a related field
- experience analyzing ocean reanalyses or model output, or large observational datasets (Argo, altimetry, GRACE)
- familiarity with ocean heat budgets, meridional overturning or gyre dynamics
- strong Python skills and comfort working on an HPC system
- code written for other people to use - Version control with Git, work in the open on GitHub, and analysis code that is documented, tested, and released with the papers it supports; the group maintains open packages for AMOC, mooring and glider data, and what you build is expected to outlive the contract
- written and spoken English at working level; German is not required
- willingness to travel to project meetings in Japan and Spain
We offer
Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.
The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.
Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.
Notice regarding the background check under Section 34a of the Hamburg security clearance act (Gesetz zur Regelung der Sicherheitsüberprüfungen, HmbSÜG): On behalf of the person chosen in the selection procedure, this office submits an inquiry to the state office for the protection of the constitution (Landesamt für Verfassungsschutz) regarding any available findings/information which meet the statutory requirements (background check and data protection information).
Instructions for applying
Contact |
|
Location
Reference number
Application deadline
Use only the online application form to submit your application with the following documents:
- cover letter
- CV
- copies of degree certificate(s)
If you experience technical problems, send an email to bewerbungen@uni-hamburg.de.
More information on data protection in selection procedures.
