Who we are

The team at the German Ocean Foundation has specialized in marine and environmental communication and the communication of research and science for over 30 years. We are a small, permanent core team of highly committed people of different ages, surrounded by almost 40 freelancers who are committed to researching and communicating about our oceans.

We share a passion for this wonderful and important habitat. Our team brings together decades of experience in the fields of communication, research and sustainable development. Only in this way is it possible to take on the diverse and very demanding challenges in our foundation and to realize sustainable and viable concepts, ideas and projects for the habitat of our future.

Frank Schweikert, founder and chairman of the foundation

Frank Schweikert leads the team as a journalist, biologist, entrepreneur, diver and sailor. The protection of the ocean and our natural resources is particularly close to his heart. At the age of 14, he first worked as a reporter and photographer for the daily newspaper Badische Neueste Nachrichten, then as an editor for the psychological defense of the German Armed Forces, then as an author and presenter for ARD, Deutschlandfunk and also private radio stations and news agencies. His work for SWF3 program director Peter Stockinger shaped his journalistic career. His friendship with maritime law expert, ecologist and publicist Elisabeth Mann Borgese, the youngest daughter of Thomas Mann, made him an activist for a healthy ocean as the "common heritage of mankind". The winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Prof. Dr. Hartmut Graßl, encouraged him early on to focus on communicative and social measures to combat advancing climate change.

Following in the footsteps of French marine research pioneer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, whom he and Hans Hass got to know personally, he has been operating Europe's only research and media ship under sail, the ALDEBARAN, since 1992. In 2005, he initiated the federal marine competition "Research at Sea" for young school teams, for which he has received several awards. Research expeditions with renowned marine researchers on the trail of climate change off the Central American coast and an international marine conference series initiated by him. marine conference series "Sustainable Oceans: Reconciling Economic Use and Protection" were the reason for Frank to establish the German Ocean Foundation together with Frank Otto in 2015. In addition to his board activities for the Ocean Foundation, Frank is a founding member and board member of the German Marine Litter Association and deputy board member of the German Society for Marine Research (since 2013). In 2015, he initiated Europe's largest innovation network for measuring plastic pollution in waters. He was a member of the Extended Board of the Assembly of the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, including the Societal Transformation of the European Union, and is an associate member of the German CLUB OF ROME and the Board of Directors of the Desertec Foundation as well as an honorary member of the Rotary Club Passport ECO Planet. In April 2024, Frank was appointed to the EU Mission Board for our Oceans and Waters, where he has since stepped up his advocacy for our oceans at international level. Most recently, Frank was included in the ESG's Table Media list as one of the top 10 entrepreneurs who place particular emphasis on environmental, sustainability and social issues.

Become part of the team

The ability to help the sea stands and falls with a strong, competent and committed team. We can use all the support we can get in one of our 50 very different projects, whether you are a marine biologist, diver, media designer, lawyer or event manager. Our work, especially in the media production area and on board, is mainly carried out by volunteers and idealists. These are mainly students and interns, but also professionals who use their vacation to support our activities.

Volunteer work
Our volunteer team currently comprises around 120 people and we are happy when our volunteer team expands. In addition to the purely voluntary team, we also employ a group of almost 40 freelancers from a wide range of professions who provide us with their valuable work at preferential rates. 

Diploma/bachelor's/master's theses
Students from the fields of engineering and natural sciences, IT, media sciences, media documentation or media design can combine theory and practice at the foundation and write their theses as diploma/diploma candidates or bachelor's/master's graduates in a team. 

FÖJ placement in public relations and environmental education
If you are interested in an FÖJ position at the Foundation for the year 2025/26, you can apply now. If you are interested in supporting us in office management, being responsible for your own environmental education projects or leading workshops for children, young people and families, then get in touch. We offer you an insight into the basics of public relations work, including the development of our website and social media presence. We particularly welcome applicants who have an affinity for water sports and perhaps some diving and/or sailing experience. In this case, an assignment on the media and research vessel ALDEBARAN is also conceivable. We look forward to receiving your application via the application portal of the City of Hamburg.

Internships
In addition to full-time and voluntary work, we also offer the opportunity to complete internships. Interested parties should bring at least three months of time with them so that they can also work on more complex topics.

If you are interested in supporting us, we would love to hear from you! Send us an e-mail with a brief introduction of yourself, a proposal of how much time you would like to support us, when and in which area, and your documents (cover letter, CV, references) to jobs@meeresstiftung.de.

Please understand that we do not have the means to return documents received by post. We also do not cover travel expenses for interviews.