AWI as an employer

Working for us pays off: by joining the AWI team, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue excellent research on the most pressing questions of our time, to use an outstanding research infrastructure, and to exchange notes with experts from around the globe in an international working environment. At the AWI, you can also work to develop bleeding-edge technologies like autonomous ROVs, keep our Antarctic research base Neumayer Station III provisioned with a position in logistics, boost the efficiency of our supercomputers with a job in IT, or coordinate the use of research funding by working in science management.
Those are some pretty strong arguments for choosing us. And there are plenty more.

After all, excellent research is only produced by staff who enjoy working for us, who don’t have to worry about their own and their family’s future, and who know the AWI offers them opportunities to freely develop and advance their careers.

That’s why we value diversity and actively support an equitable, inclusive and open environment – you’re welcome here, no matter where you hail from, how you look, what you believe in, or who you choose to love.

That’s why we always keep in mind the needs of your family – e.g. by offering support with childcare and caring for other loved ones.

That’s why we support you in your career and provide excellent prospects – by working for us, you can pursue continuing education and, thanks to our flat hierarchies, take on managerial responsibilities early on.
But most importantly – these arguments aren’t mere lip service; they’re an integral part of our self-image as a sustainable and responsible research institute with an important societal mission.

Contact

Human Resources Department

Katharina Friederich

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Work-life balance

Diversity and Anti-discrimination

International Office

Information on employment

We are diverse

The AWI values diversity and is actively committed to creating an equitable, inclusive, and open working environment. We recognize the diverse needs, perspectives, and intersectional experiences of our employees and continuously reflect on and improve our practices to ensure that everyone at AWI can thrive and feel a sense of belonging.

23 percent

Queer identities are an integral part of AWI. 23 percent of our employees identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community. (Diversity Survey 2025)

61 nationalities

The international composition of our workforce brings together a wide range of perspectives and experiences. People from 61 countries work, conduct research, and learn at AWI. (HR records, end of 2025)

40 percent

Diverse educational backgrounds shape AWI. 30 percent of our employees completed vocational training, while 70 percent hold a university degree. Of those with a degree, well over one third are the first in their family to pursue higher education. (Diversity Survey 2025)

48 percent

The proportion of women in scientific positions has increased continuously through targeted initiatives, rising from 42 percent in 2017 to 48 percent today. (HR records, end of 2025)

89 percent

The vast majority of our employees feel that their diverse identities are respected and valued at AWI. (Diversity Survey 2025)

13 percent

13 percent of our employees identify as neurodivergent. 15 percent report having a physical disability or a chronic health condition. (Multiple responses were possible, Diversity Survey 2025)

We're a partner of the project TandemPower. Together, we are standing up for stereotype-sensitive career guidance!

We are making a statement for greater inclusion in the workplace! Together with Inklupreneur we are making workflows and structures even more inclusive and needs-oriented.

We are part of the Action Days Schichtwechsel (engl. Shift Change) and DUODay.

We join the cross-school project "mint:pink goes BHV". Together, we want to get schoolgirls interested in science and technology and give them a hands-on experience of STEM subjects.