Scientific Technician in the project “PeTCaT - Rapid Permafrost Thaw Carbon Trajectories

Institution: Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Earth System Sciences

Salary level: EGR. 11 TV-L

Start date: 01.05.2026 (negotiable), fixed for three years

Application deadline: 2026-03-09

Scope of work: part-time

Weekly hours: 50 % of standard work hours per week (the possibility of increasing the working hours to full-time can be discussed during the job interview)

We are looking for a technician to support the “PeTCaT – Rapid Permafrost Thaw Carbon Trajectories” project, which is a large international consortium project. The position will be part of the working group “Dynamics of Soil Processes” at the University of Hamburg, and also work closely with the junior research group “COLDSPOT”. The work at the University of Hamburg will be conducted in close cooperation with the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) in Potsdam and with international project partners in Canada, the USA, Sweden and the Netherlands. At the University of Hamburg (UHH), the successful applicant will join a team and assist senior scientists, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students. At UHH, the specific tasks will focus on carbon cycle processes, including the decomposition of organic matter, the fluxes of greenhouse gases between the soil and the atmosphere, and the processes of carbon transport and stabilization.

This position requires a combination of technical expertise and a scientific background, including scientific programming and the technical and scientific planning of field and laboratory experiments. We are looking for a creative person with an interest in science to develop technical applications.

Responsibilities

development, installation and optimization of scientific measurement setups, devices and technology to determine small-scale greenhouse gas fluxes in field and laboratory measurements
designing innovative laboratory setups for mesocosm studies with permafrost cores and soil-plant systems to enable the continuous monitoring of greenhouse gas exchange and other relevant variables
calibration and maintenance of instruments, particularly greenhouse gas analyzers, as well as determining instrument repair needs, and quality control and assessment of new and repaired equipment for operation
coordinating with suppliers and administrative bodies to procure and maintain measurement technology
development of scripts and codes for the collection, calculation and quality control of high-resolution data on greenhouse gas fluxes and associated variables.
independent work with datasets; preparation of datasets for use by scientific project personnel and publication in databases
supporting the preparation of expeditions (pre- and post-expedition tasks)
participation in field expeditions lasting several weeks to Arctic regions, and conducting field flux measurements and soil sampling

Requirements

university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g., geosciences, environmental sciences, engineering) with extensive practical experience

equivalent skills, experience, and qualifications

Verification of equivalent skills, experience, and qualifications for the last prerequisites will be conducted on hiring.

Required skills and personal qualities

proven experience with environmental science instrumentation and measurement techniques or comparable experience
experience with field or laboratory work, preferably in the field of geosciences, environmental sciences, meteorology
experience with programming languages in scientific applications (e.g., MATLAB, Python, R, Git, CRBasic)
practical skills in preparing, maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing environmental measurement equipment and systems (e.g. greenhouse gas analysers, soil sensors, data loggers and isotope measuring devices)
experience in analysing and processing data sets
practical experience with scientific data workflows, including data collection and quality assurance
experience of participating in expeditions in extreme conditions (e.g. the Arctic) is advantageous
class B driving licence is an asset
personal and medical suitability and willingness to participate in scientific expeditions to the Arctic lasting several weeks
ability to adapt to diverse working conditions, including problem-solving in the field
ability to link technical expertise with scientific objectives to improve data quality
skills for clear and professional communication in multidisciplinary and international contexts
reliable and proactive management of long-term technical tasks
team-oriented mindset and willingness to support research tasks within the group
ability to communicate confidently in German and English

We offer

Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements

Continuing education opportunities

University pensions

Attractive location

Flexible working hours

Work-life balance opportunities

Health management, EGYM Wellpass

Employee laptops

Mobile work

Educational leave

30 days of vacation per annum

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg promotes equal opportunity between the sexes. In accordance with Section 7 subsection 1 of the Hamburg equal opportunity act (Hamburgisches Gesetz zur Gleichstellung von Frauen und Männern im öffentlichen Dienst, HmbGleiG) we expressly call for women to apply. Equally qualified women applicants will receive preference in the selection process. We explicitly encourage persons with an immigrant background to apply.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.

Instructions for applying

Contact

Dr. Carolina Voigt

Dr. Christian Knoblauch

Location

Allende-Platz 2
20146 Hamburg

Reference number

603/1

Application deadline

2026-03-09

Use only the online application form to submit your application with the following documents:

cover letter detailing your motivation
CV including the names and contact details of at least two referees
copies of degree certificate(s)

If you experience technical problems, send an email to .

More information on in selection procedures.