Welcome

I am Professor of Geosciences in the School of Science at Constructor University Bremen, Germany (formerly International University Bremen and Jacobs University Bremen), where I have taught since 2004. I am a marine geologist and applied geophysicist. My work combines geophysical data with numerical models to study fluid flow on continental margins, gas hydrates, petroleum systems, seabed habitats and planetary analogues. I chair the BSc Earth Sciences and Sustainability (ESS) and have led the annual RV Heincke student cruise since 2007.

Current (2026)
* HEART (DFG, SPP 2520 “Research Vessels”, 2027–2031): ship time and seagoing training on RV Heincke, with AWI — co-chief scientist
* iFOODis (Helmholtz): robot- and sensor-based monitoring of farm-linked ecosystems on land and in surface waters, with DLR, GEOMAR, AWI and the University of Gothenburg — PI and summer-school coordinator
* BSc ESS re-accredited (formerly ESSMER); first intake Fall 2026
* Dual BSc in Marine Science with Hainan Tropical Ocean University (China), awaiting approval by the Chinese Ministry of Education

Research

Eight fields, one approach: data plus models
Marine Geophysics – Petroleum Systems – Gas Hydrates – Deep-sea Minerals – Seabed Habitats – Planetary Analogues – Geo-informatics – Marine Robotics

Petroleum Systems

3D/4D basin and petroleum-systems modelling integrating seismic and well data; scenarios for hydrocarbon generation, migration and accumulation; assessment of petroleum systems and reservoirs (current work: Ogaden Basin)

Gas Hydrates

Fluid flow on continental margins; transport of methane-bearing fluids coupled with thermodynamic hydrate stability; pore-pressure evolution and hydrate dissociation; BSR analysis and heat flow (current work: Amazon deep-sea fan, AMAGAS expedition 2023)

Geo-informatics

Geodata processing and modelling; spatial analysis and visualisation; web GIS linked to marine sensor networks; geodata management (PANGAEA); GPS field loggers

Marine Geophysics

Seismic interpretation and stratigraphy; multibeam, side-scan and parametric sub-bottom profiling; marine magnetics

Seabed Habitats

Cold-water corals; habitat-suitability modelling; video mosaics and benthic habitat mapping

Planetary Analogues

Mars, Moon and Venus; lunar lava tubes; ERT, passive seismic and LIBS in volcanic analogue terrain (Vulcano)

Marine Robotics

Crawler, ROV and USV platforms (BlueROV, BlueBoat); AUV data; underwater image analysis

Soil and Carbon

Geophysical mapping of soil heterogeneity; carbon drawdown on agricultural land (iFOODis)

Projects

Current

->    HEART – Heincke Educational and Research Training (DFG, SPP 2520, 2027–2031) – co-chief scientist with Dr. G. Nehrke, AWI
->    iFOODis – Improving the sustainability of food cycles through intelligent (robotic) systems (Helmholtz, 2023–) – PI and summer-school coordinator – ifoodis.com
->    AMAGAS – gas hydrates and fluid seepage on the Amazon deep-sea fan (Brazil/France; expedition 2023)

Selected earlier projects
->    Bathy4all pilot (DFG, 2022–2024)
->    Vulcano summer schools (Helmholtz and partners, 2015–)
->    EarthLook (EU, 2010–2014)
->    POLMAR and ESSReS graduate schools (Helmholtz, 2007–2014)
->    HERMES and HERMIONE (EU FP6/FP7, 2006–2011) – web GIS for European continental margins
->    IRCCM, CORAMM biomonitoring and seabed monitoring (Statoil, 2004–2010)
->    Holobench (DFG infrastructure, 2009); China Scholarship Council PhD stipend (2009–2013)

Research group
->    2 PhD students, 2 postdocs and 1 visiting researcher; 15 PhD students since 2004 (5 as main supervisor). BSc and MSc thesis projects available – see Vacancies or get in touch.

Publications

Full and current lists:
- Google Scholar: scholar.google.com
- ResearchGate: researchgate.net/profile/Vikram-Unnithan
- Code and tools: github.com/vunnithan

Work in progress
* BSR dynamics and fluid migration on the Amazon deep-sea fan (with the AMARYLLIS–AMAGAS team)
* Basin and petroleum-systems model of the Ogaden Basin
* Roof-failure modes and burial limits of lunar lava tubes (with M. Minin)
* Python tools for gas-hydrate stability (GHSZ/BSR) calculations

Teaching

For more than 20 years I have taught undergraduate and graduate courses in sedimentary and structural geology, Earth history, introductory, applied and marine geophysics, seismic stratigraphy, gas hydrates and GIS. I believe geoscience is best learnt in the field and at sea.

Teaching at sea and in the field:
* RV Heincke student cruise, every year since 2007 (about 25 students in 2026; 40+ per cruise from 2027 under the DFG-funded HEART programme, with AWI)
* Vulcano summer school, Sicily (since 2015): applied geophysics and volcanic / planetary analogues
* Ireland field camp (Dingle Peninsula, 2026): field mapping with GNSS and QGIS
* iFOODis summer schools: Kristineberg (University of Gothenburg) and the Schlei region, Baltic
* Further field camps: Helgoland, the Harz, Central Apennines, Tjärnö (Sweden)
* Earlier summer schools: Climate Change (2012), China (2019)

Graduate teaching:
* MarMic MSc – lab rotations – marmic.mpg.de
* BPSD Executive MSc (Basin and Petroleum System Dynamics)
* GeoOcean Dynamics MSc – sedimentology, exploration seismics
* ESSReS PhD School – introductory GIS

Programmes:
- ESS (Earth Sciences and Sustainability, BSc) – chair; redesign and re-accreditation 2026
- ESSMER (Earth Sciences and Sustainable Management of Environmental Resources, BSc) – predecessor of ESS
- Dual BSc in Marine Science with Hainan Tropical Ocean University, China (awaiting Ministry of Education approval)
- BPSD (Executive MSc); GOD (GeoOcean Dynamics, MSc); joint Leeds–Jacobs MSc Petroleum Exploration; ESS (Earth and Environmental Sciences, BSc)

Work Experience - short CV

Education

-> 1996 – 2001 PhD in Geology, University College Dublin, Ireland

->    1992 – 1996 Doctorandus (MSc equivalent) in Geology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
->    1990 – 1991 Propedeuse (BSc. equivalent) in Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
->    1978 – 1989 St. Xavier School, Jaipur, India

Professional Experience
->    2004 – present Professor of Geosciences, Constructor University Bremen (International University Bremen → Jacobs University → Constructor University); chair BSc ESS; co-chief scientist HEART (DFG, 2027–2031)
-> 2003 – 2004 Exploration geophysicist, Fugro Robertson, Llandudno, Wales, U.K.
-> 2000 – 2003 Post-doctoral Fellow at Dept. of Geology, University College Dublin, Ireland
-> 1999 – 2000 Part-time Marine GIS & Data Analyst position, Irish Marine Data Centre, Dublin.
-> 1997 – Geological Survey of Ireland – Geological Training Field Assistant

Teaching
-> 2004 – present Undergraduate (BSc) and Graduate (MSc and PhD), Constructor University (formerly Jacobs University)
-> 2003 – 2004 Seismic interpretation and stratigraphy, Fugro Robertson
-> 1998 – 2003 Undergraduate and graduate students training during research cruises, UCD
-> 1997 – 1999 Undergraduate (BSc) structural geology, UCD

Research cruises
-> Polarstern, Marion Dufresne, L’Atalante, CCGS John P. Tully, Celtic Voyager, Belgica, Pelagia, OGS Explora, MV Siren, Skagerak; RV Heincke (yearly since 2007); AMAGAS expedition, Brazil (2023)

Service & Interests

Membership Professional Bodies

* American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
* American Geophysical Union (AGU)
* European Association of Geologists and Engineers (EAGE)
* Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG)
* Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain (PESGB)
* German Geophysical Society (DGG)
* German Geological Society – Geological Association (DGGV)
* German Higher Education Association (DHSV)

Other professional activities

* EU expert evaluator, Horizon Europe and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (2019 – present)
* MarMic MSc program external faculty
* Ocean Expert (link)

Community Work

* Chair, BSc Earth Sciences and Sustainability (ESS / ESSMER)
* College Master Mercator College – (2007 – 2013)
* President’s Award for Community Service (2012)
* Faculty IT Committee (2005 – 2015)
* Undergraduate Admission Committee (2008 – 2018)
* Search Committee Staff and Faculty Employment (2004 – present)
* Ombudsman (2013 – present)
* EQ Committee (2013 – 2016)

General Interests

Marine geology and geophysics, expeditions
Travelling, meeting people, visiting places
Sports (including cricket!)
Making things, cooking, cookbooks
Working in the garden

Contacts

Get / keep in touch

Prof. Dr. Vikram Unnithan
Professor of Geosciences
School of Science
Department of Physics and Earth Sciences
Constructor University Bremen gGmbH (formerly Jacobs University Bremen)
Address (work):
Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany
Office: Research III, Room 98
Tel: +49 (0)421 200 3161
Email: vunnithan AT constructor dot university