A bigger picture
We research the sea and its function for humans and the environment

The Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB) is a research institute located in Oldenburg. It researches marine biodiversity and its importance for the function of marine ecosystems. In doing so, it develops the scientific basis for marine nature conservation and ecosystem management.

Junior Professorship (m/f/x) in Marine Policy and Management

HIFMB develops the scientific basis for marine conservation and marine ecosystem management by analysing the functional role of biodiversity in marine ecosystem and understanding the general principles constraining this role.
We invite applications for a joint professor position in Junior Professorship (m/f/x) in Marine Policy and Management salary scale W1 with tenure track W2 commencing as soon as possible.

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Oceans are not only the richest in species but also the largest habitat – due to their depth, oceans make up more than 90 percent of the total habitat on earth.

They regulate the climate, bind CO2 and are an important food source for humans. Every second breath we take contains oxygen from the ocean.

In order for the sea to continue to fulfil these functions, which are also important for humans, intact habitats are needed. And these in turn depend on marine biodiversity, i.e. the diversity of species, genetic variants of each species and ecosystems.

How strongly and in what form this biological diversity reacts to global warming and human-induced influences is still largely unclear today.

Marine ecosystems are changing – also and especially through human influence. According to a recent study, for example, only 13 percent of the oceans can still be described as wilderness.

What do the changes in marine ecosystems mean for us and what measures do we take to counter them?

Our approach is interdisciplinary: At HIFMB, scientific research goes hand in hand with social science expertise in the analysis of social and political processes.

Biodiversity Change

Quantifying & predicting biodiversity change

Ecosystem Functions

Understanding functional consequences of change

Conservation & Management

Maintaining biodiversity & functions and enabling socio-ecological management

NEWS

From tooth fish to food webs, from molecular genetic tools to underwater acoustics: dive into our current research

Reviving PALAOA or the Acoustic Homecoming

Slowly the impressive lance sinks into the ice. It reminds of a Jules Verne-like scientific instrument in the way its copper plates are bolted so craftfully. It is attached to an enormous installation with howling diesel-powered engines that breathes a slow primitive power. Maybe exactly the type of primitive power and patience that is needed to melt through 100m thick shelf ice. We are in the Antarctic standing on the Eckstroem Iceshelf and we are melting holes to finally revive our passive acoustic observatory after a 2-year data gap due to an ice shelf break off in February 2022.

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Did you know?

Reef-building corals enhance the light available for their algal symbionts by 3 to 8 times relative to ambient light conditions.

MEET THE TEAM

Our staff are the heart and driving force of our research.

HIFMB NEWSLETTER

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