GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research is one of the leading institutions in the field of marine sciences in Europe. The institutes’ mandate is the interdisciplinary investigation of all relevant aspects of modern marine sciences, from sea floor geology to marine meteorology. Research is conducted worldwide in all oceans.

The institute has four major research divisions:

Ocean Circulation and Climate Dynamics
Marine Biogeochemistry
Marine Ecology
Dynamics of the Ocean Floor.

In addition, GEOMAR contributes to the Cluster of Excellence "The Future Ocean"

GEOMAR cooperates closely with the University of Kiel in the education of future marine scientists. Additional contributions to other curricula such as Geology and Geophysics are also provided. GEOMAR also has cooperative programs with other universities around the world. Special programs for pupils and teachers aim to stimulate interest in the marine sciences at an early stage.

The institute is a member of the Helmholtz Association and employs more than 850 scientific and technical staff.

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research

3

own research vessels

~1000

employees at GEOMAR

80

million euros make up the annual budget of GEOMAR

Topics

Ocean and cryosphere in climate change

Marine and polar life - maintaining biodiversity, biotic interactions, and biogeochemical functions.

Earth & Environment
“Career paths must become more diverse!”

Katja Matthes applied to be head a Helmholtz Young Investigator Group in 2009, and was successful. Since then the climate researcher has become head of the Helmholtz Center GEOMAR in Kiel. In this…
Earth & Environment
International research platform off the coast of Africa

GEOMAR operates a special research station on Cape Verde in cooperation with the Instituto do Mar. The Ocean Science Center Mindelo serves international marine and atmospheric researchers as a base…
Information, Earth & Environment, Energy
Great success for Helmholtz with the ERC Synergy Grants

Helmholtz researchers received seven out of 37 grants in the current call for proposals - more than ever before.
Aeronautics, Space and Transport, Earth & Environment
Autonomous robots rehearse for Mars and the deep sea

Autonomous research robots play a crucial role in deep-sea research as well as in the exploration of distant planets. Helmholtz researchers from both fields have joined forces and together are…
Earth & Environment
The fastest data collector in the world

Regatta sailor Boris Herrmann has installed a mini-laboratory on his high-tech yacht "Seaexplorer" - and transmits information to ocean researchers during his races. The data helps to improve climate…
Earth & Environment
"The next ten years are crucial"

Since October 2020, Katja Matthes has been head of the Kiel Research Center GEOMAR. The sports enthusiast and climate scientist is convinced that the oceans can contribute much more to climate…