Postdoc in biology, marine biology, fisheries biology; x​/f​/d​/m - Inklusiver

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.

Postdoc in biology, marine biology, fisheries biology (x/f/d/m)

Background
Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a key food source for many species in the Southern Ocean. This ecologically critical species is also the target of the largest and fastest-growing fishery in the Southern Ocean. This fishery is regulated by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which aims to manage the fishery sustainably through ecosystem-based approaches that incorporate data on predator populations, ecosystem state, and krill abundance and distribution.

The krill fishery is concentrated in the south-west Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean (CCAMLR area 48), a krill hotspot supporting many krill-dependent predators, including penguins, seals, and baleen whales. However, this region is also experiencing rapid warming and ecological shifts, including changes in krill biomass and distribution. In recent years, krill fishery catches have increased steadily, with the allowable catch limit for the entire fishing area 48 being reached for the first time in the last fishing season.

Your Tasks
In general, this project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, represents Germany's research contribution to krill fishery management for CCAMLR. In this context, it will address research tasks defined in several CCAMLR working groups (WGs), with emphasis on the WG-Ecosystem Monitoring and Management (WG-EMM).

Specifically, this project, conducted at AWI within the Section Polar Biological Oceanography, will analyse data from krill fishing operations and explore the potential impact of the fishery on krill populations. This will be achieved through the use of empirical approaches and simulation models exploring different fishing scenarios, including:

• Effects of environmental change, e.g. in temperature
• Shifting abundance and distribution of major krill predators (e.g., whales, penguins, seals)
• Changing fishing pressure on different krill stages (e.g., juvenile, gravid females)
• In addition, hydroacoustic data (ADCP, echo sounder) collected by moored devices deployed off the Antarctic Peninsula should be analysed to characterize seasonal krill flux in the region

Your Profile

• PhD in biology, marine biology, fishery management and conservation, or related fields. Strong quantitative skills (statistics, modelling) and experience in processing large data sets (preferably using R or Python)
• Highly motivated and eager to work in an interdisciplinary marine research environment
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines
• Very good English knowledge (approximately equivalent to CEFR
  -Level C1)
• A background in Antarctic research is beneficial but not essential

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Ability to communicate research to non-scientific audiences, e.g. in the form of presentations, videos or infographics

Further Information

• Contact in day-to-day work: with up to 5 people
• Communication: almost equal share (internal/external)
  in the following ways

• Movement around the workplace: regularly within the building (e.g. between departments or floors)
• Business trips: occasional (several times a year)
• Expeditions: 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 Prof Dr Bettina Meyer ( ; (471 .
If you have any general questions about the application process, our…