Scientific Diver / Technical Assistant for oyster farming, field work, and monitoring (m/f/d/x)

Image 1: Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung Image 2: Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung Image 3: Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung Image 4: Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung

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.

Scientific Diver / Technical Assistant for oyster farming, field work, and monitoring (m/f/d/x)

Background

The research group Ecological Restoration & Marine Conservation at the AWI is seeking, with immediate effect, aScientific Diver / Technical Assistant for oyster farming, field work, and monitoring (m/f/d/x).

Due to their ecological importance, native oyster reefs are a major focus of European nature conservation efforts. This project aims to establish and secure reefs of the European flat oyster within the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the long term, thereby enhancing biodiversity in the North Sea. Activities include the construction, operation and monitoring of oyster cultivation facilities, the deployment of suitable reef structures, and the scientific supervision of fieldwork.

You will support the team in all practical and organisational tasks required to carry out the field activities, primarily on Helgoland, but also in Bremerhaven as required and during research expeditions.

Your Tasks

Technical support for the deployment of reef structures as part of the project
Project-related technical support in the set-up, operation and maintenance of oyster cultivation facilities on Helgoland (tank and pontoon systems of the Helgoland Oyster Nursery)
Occasional assistance with the organisation, preparation and implementation of research trips, including procurement and transport of equipment
Support as a scientific diver within the project phase
Assistance with the organisation and implementation of monitoring activities for the initial three-year monitoring period
Collection of data on oyster growth, fitness and condition index
Documentation of all activities and results for the evaluation of this project phase
Temporary support of day-to-day operations of the oyster cultivation facilities
Participation in collaborative projects and other duties as required

Your Profile

Completed vocational training as a technician, biological laboratory technician or an equivalent qualification
Completed qualification as a scientific diver (DGUV 101-023)
Practical experience in marine fieldwork and in handling technical equipment
Good English knowledge (approximately equivalent to CEFR level B1+B2)
Technical aptitude, strong organisational skills and the ability to work effectively in a team
Good communication skills
Willingness to participate in expeditions lasting 2–3 weeks per year

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

Pleasure Craft Licence (German: Sportbootführerschein See) is an advantage
Experience in operating aquaculture facilities and monitoring activities is desirable

Further Information

Contact in day-to-day work: collaboration mainly with more than 5 people
Communication: almost equal share (internal/external)

in the following ways

By telephone: frequently (daily or several times a week)
E-mail: frequently (daily or several times a week)
Video conferencing (e.g. Webex): rather rarely (once a month or less)
Personal contact in presence: frequently (daily or several times a week)

**Movement around the workplace:**regularly over longer distances (e.g. other buildings)
**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 Dr Bernadette Pogod****a (bernadette.pogoda@awi.de; +49 471 4831-2710) orTanja Hausen (tanja.hausen@awi.de; +49 471 4831-2762).

If you have any general questions about the application process, our Recruiting team will be glad to support you – please contact Sarah Palme (bewerbungsmanagement@awi.de, +49 471 4831-1853).

In this overview you will find further contact persons for various matters.

This is a full-time position, limited to 3 years. It is also suitable for part-time employment. 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 9a. The place of employment will be Helgoland.

The AWI is characterized by

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
Flexible working hours
Health promotion and company fitness with Hansefit and Wellhub
Support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
Occupational pension provision (VBL)

AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. To help address the underrepresentation of men in this area of work, applications from qualified men are explicitly welcome as part of our commitment to diverse and well-balanced teams.We are convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people regardless of binary and non-binary genders, race and nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, age, disabilities, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, and other identities.

Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.

AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways. And as a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our**Family OfficeandInternational Office**will be glad to support you, even before you start at AWI.

We look forward to your application!

Please submit your application online only by April 2 nd, 2026. We kindly ask you to apply in English or German. No photo is required – we value your qualifications and experience.

Reference number:26/26/D/Bio-b

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