About us:

The teaching and research section for Physical Geography and Earth System Interactions at LMU’s Department of Geography primarily investigates the impact of humans on the Earth System, changing land and ocean surfaces, the interaction of these surfaces with the atmosphere, and changes in the regional and global energy, water, and carbon cycle. Our section develops and applies the latest generation of Earth system and process models and integrates them with observations. Key research areas include physical, biogeochemical, and ecosystem processes on land, in the ocean and cryosphere, and in the atmosphere, as well as feedback within the Earth system.

We are looking for you:

PhD position - Observing upper ocean stratification changes in the Southern Ocean (m/f/x)

in Munich

Your tasks and responsibilities:

As part of the VERTEXSO project you will work on the detection of vertical stratification changes and instabilities in satellite and subsurface hydrographic observations. This work aims to improve large-scale, long-term detection of stratification changes in the Southern Ocean and to answer the question if enhanced Southern Ocean stratification will increase or decrease the air-sea CO2 fluxes. You will have the opportunity to:

• work with some of the most comprehensive observational data from the Southern Ocean
• use of products from the newest generation satellite altimeters such as Sentinel-3 and ICESat-2
• develop new monitoring tools to assess the impact of observed vertical stratification changes on air-sea CO2 fluxes
• answer the essential question if enhanced Southern Ocean stratification will increase or decrease the ocean’s CO2 uptake and release

Your qualifications:

• Master’s degree in geosciences, geography, physics, climate or environmental sciences, or a related discipline
• A keen interest and basic knowledge in oceanography
• Some background in geophysical fluid dynamics is advantageous, but not essential
• Good programming skills (for example Fortran, Python, Matlab, etc.)
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English
• Training or experience with satellite remote sensing and ocean observations is advantageous, but not essential

Benefits:

• the chance to be part of a dynamic team working at the frontier of Earth system science
• flexible working hours
• an international environment – everyday contacts with people from all over the world
• career development through the LMU and AWI qualification program
• participation in a structured PhD program offered by the graduate school POLMAR, including a comprehensive training program and extensive support measures
• LMU fosters the compatibility of work and family in various ways
• opportunity to attend national and international workshops and conferences
• a stimulating working environment at one of Germany’s top-ranked universities
• at an institute located in the center of Munich with excellent public transport links, and in a vibrant and internationally diverse city
• a close collaboration, frequent visits, and guest contract at AWI, a world-leading German research institution for polar and marine sciences

People with disabilities who are equally as qualified as other applicants will receive preferential treatment.

Contact:

We look forward to your application!

Please send an application (including cover letter, curriculum vitae, copies of scientific degrees, and names and contact information of two references) by e-mail (one PDF-attachment with max. 5MB only including all documents) with subject "VERTEXSO-2026Geo" to alexander.haumann@lmu.de by August 1st, 2026.

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