PostDoc in "Sustaining keystone: Rethinking Antarctic krill fishery management under climat

Organisation/Company Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung Research Field Environmental science Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Final date to receive applications 16 Feb 2026 - 11:34 (UTC) Country Germany Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Job description: Post Doc in "Sustaining the keystone:
Rethinking Antarctic krill fishery management under climate change" (f/d/m/x)

Background: Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a keystone species in the Southern Ocean ecosystem, essential for many species’ survival. This ecologically critical species is also the target species of the largest and fastest-growing fishery in the Southern Ocean, regulated by the CCAMLR, which aims to manage the fishery sustainably, relying on ecosystem-based approaches incorporating data on predator populations, ecosystem state, and krill biomass and distribution.

The krill fishery is concentrated in the southwest Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean (CCAMLR Area 48), a krill hotspot that supports many krill-dependent, air-breathing predators, including penguins, seals, and baleen whales. Simultaneously, this region is experiencing rapid warming and ecological shifts, including in krill biomass. In subarea 48.1, at the Antarctic Peninsula, krill fishery catches have risen steadily, with the annual allowable catch limit reached 10 times in the past 13 years, intensifying fishing pressure in neighbouring subareas, such as 48.2 (South Orkney Islands).

A critical development occurred during the October 2024 CCAMLR meeting: the expiration of Conservation Measure (CM) 51-07, which previously mandated that the maximum allowable catch of 620.000 t be spatially distributed among subareas 48.1 to 48.4. With no consensus among member states to renew this measure, the fishery now has unrestricted spatial allocation within area 48, heightening concerns over localised over exploitation.

This position is part of a cohort of 4 Postdoc positions, working under the umbrella Topic “The dilemma of the Southern Ocean: ecosystems, sustainability and competing interests at the edge of the world”.

This project will investigate krill fishing activities before and after the expiration of conservation measure 51-07 in CCAMLR fishing area 48, in conjunction with existing conservation measures, including those implemented voluntarily by the fishing industry. In addition, the project requires addressing and answering key questions regarding krill fishery management, such as:

• Is the current management concept still up to date for addressing the challenges of climate change and a rapidly growing fishery?
• How can the management concept be improved, given the existing management concepts worldwide?
• How can an improved management concept (e.g., Meyer et al. 2025) be implemented in CCAMLR?

• A PhD in marine biology, conservation biology, fishery management & conservation, or related fields
• A strong background in handling large data sets, programming (preferably in R), statistical analysis, modelling, and mapping
• Highly motivated and eager to work in an interdisciplinary marine research context
• 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 a plus, though not required

• our scientific success - excellent research
• collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
• opportunities to develop – on the job and towards other positions
• an international environment – everyday contact with people from all over the world
• health promotion and company fitness
• support services and a culture of reconciling work and family

AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment…