Helmholtz Investigator Group Leader and Helmholtz Innovation & Exploration Group Leader (m/f/d/x)

European Geosciences Union e.V.; Bremerhaven; Vor Ort; EUR 60.000 - 80.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading research center for polar studies is seeking a Helmholtz Investigator Group Leader to run innovative research projects in polar and marine sciences. The role requires a PhD, a strong track record in scientific research, and the ability to collaborate with a German university. Successful candidates can expect funding of up to €350,000 annually for a five-year period to support their research activities and access to cutting-edge facilities.

Qualifikationen

• Outstanding researchers are at maximum six years of academic age since receiving their PhD.
• Research experience should include a continuous stay abroad for a minimum of 6 months.
• Internal candidates must have less than one year of employment at AWI.

Aufgaben

• Lead a research group in polar and marine sciences.
• Collaborate with a German partner university.
• Submit a project proposal demonstrating scientific innovation.

Kenntnisse

Scientific achievements

Research experience

Leadership qualities

International research experience

Ability to present research

Ausbildung

PhD or equivalent

Jobbeschreibung

Helmholtz Investigator Group Leader and Helmholtz Innovation & Exploration Group Leader (m/f/d/x)

Employer

The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research

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.

Background

As an internationally renowned Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research, the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) is one of the very few scientific institutions in the world that are equally active in the Arctic and Antarctic. It coordinates German polar research efforts, while also conducting research in the North Sea and adjacent coastal regions in Germany. Combining outstanding research infrastructure, cutting edge field work, and innovative modelling approaches the Alfred Wegener Institute explores nearly all aspects of the Earth system and its biodiversity – from the atmosphere to the ocean floor, from land and coasts to the ice-covered seas.

Call for Expression of Interest

The Alfred Wegener Institute seeks Expressions of Interest from outstanding talents to apply for their own Investigator Group or Innovation Exploration Group (HGF call for application). The two-step process will start with an internal selection process of up to three candidates. The final selection of candidates will be carried out by external expert panels advising the president of the Helmholtz Association. Helmholtz Investigator Groups (Standard Track) and Innovation Exploration Groups (Pilot Track) of successful applicants will be hosted at the AWI. Funding is on the order of €350,000 per year for a period of five years, with potential access to further substantial research infrastructure depending on internal negotiation within AWI.

Eligibility

The following eligibility criterion applies for both tracks:

• The outstanding researchers are at maximum six years of academic age. Academic age is calculated as years after receiving the doctoral degree, deducting times due to the reasons named in the Helmholtz Call.

In addition, the following eligibility criteria apply:

Standard Track

• The outstanding researchers are at least two years of academic age.
• International research experience as demonstrated by a continuous research stay abroad for at least 6 months during the doctoral or postdoctoral studies.
• AWI internal candidates are eligible to apply if they have been employed at the AWI for no longer than one year at the time of application.

You can apply in any field of research in which you have recently excelled if it is generally related to the AWI's research program. This can be demonstrated by a grand idea supported by a first own publication and a CV fit for an ERC application. Helmholtz Investigator Group leaders collaborate closely with a German partner university. A potential partner university with indication of a contact person at the university should be specified in the application.

Pilot Track

• The outstanding researchers have completed their PhD.

Selection criteria and process

Standard Track

The initial AWI-internal selection of candidates for the Standard Track will take place in cooperation with a German university.

• Outstanding scientific achievements and research experience of the candidate (CV, publications, citation index, awards, etc.)
• Quality of the planned research project (innovation capacity, relevance, structure, coherence, feasibility)
• Leadership qualities and the ability to supervise inter(national) and diverse doctoral researchers
• Synergy effects resulting from the cooperation between the AWI and the partner university
• The candidate’s ability to present the essence of their research in a concise manner and to convincingly defend their ideas will also play a role.

Pilot Track

The initial AWI-internal selection of candidates for the Pilot Track will take place in cooperation with the AWI Technology Transfer Office.

• Scientific excellence of the candidate and demonstrated ability to independently drive a scientific idea
• Quality, credibility and early-stage maturity of the scientific concept
• Transformative innovation potential of the underlying idea
• Entrepreneurial motivation and development potential of the candidate
• Feasibility and structure of the proposed five‑year plan
• Fit with the AWI

How to apply

If you are interested in submitting an application, you should identify and contact a potential mentor for realizing your idea from the AWI. If you need help, please contact [e-mail]. Short application (max. 2 A4 pages, font size 11) should include:

• Track
• Working title
• Keywords
• Project summary with details on
  • Motivation for the project
  • General significance of the proposed project
  • Objectives
  • Strategic importance for the AWI
  • Project plan
  • Planned group composition and required infrastructure
  • Information on the planned cooperation with the German partner university (Standard Track)
  • Dominant methodology / technology (if applicable)

Please provide in addition to the short application a full curriculum vitae incl. publication list. Template CV is provided on our AWI webpage.

Questions about the call for applications and the internal selection procedure are answered by [e-mail]. Deadline for submission of short applications ([e-mail]) is 19 January 2026. Short‑listed applicants will be invited to present their projects to the AWI Scientific Council end of February 2026. Successful candidates will be informed after the final decision by the AWI Board of Directors, and they will be asked to provide a full proposal until 4 May 2026.