The mission of the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) as a nationally and internationally active research institute is to deliver solutions for an ecologically, economically and socially sustainable agriculture – together with society. ZALF is a member of the Leibniz Association and is located in Müncheberg (approx. 35 minutes by regional train from Berlin-Lichtenberg). It also maintains a research station with further locations in Dedelow and Paulinenaue.
The ZALF project Prep-LL aims to establish the basis for a regional network of living labs (LL) to support the co-innovation and co-design for sustainable agricultural landscapes. It will investigate societal targets for sustainable agricultural production systems and promote the respective transformation in the landscape context. The project is designated to developing a comprehensive concept of a network of LL. It will develop the necessary knowledge and structural basis to support its initial implementation. The existing ZALF crop diversification on-farm experiment
patchCROP will serve as a specific nucleus case for one LL within a set of at least three pilot cases forming an initial LL network.
Within this project we are pleased to announce a position starting 15
th Sept or at the earliest possible date for a
Postdoctoral researcher for
Data and Monitoring Concepts for Living Labs in Agricultural Landscapes (m/f/d)
[Reference N° 48-2021]
Your tasks:
- Developing and testing concepts to upscale findings from small scale research activities and landscape experiments (e.g., patchCROP, AgroScapeLab Quillow);
- Developing a concept for data acquisition (incl. systematic and targeted monitoring activities), management and analysis to support the research and innovation activities of scientists and stakeholders in the region;
- Analysis, combination and parameterization of different proximal and remote sensed imagery across multiple scales;
- Coordinating a multi-source data inventory;
- Support of coordination, further development and expansion of the patchCROP landscape experiment to serve as a nucleus of a LL, particularly regarding options for stakeholder participation in the experiment;
- Publication of respective journal paper(s) and internal reports.
Your qualifications:
- Academic background in agronomy, environmental science, geoecology or similar;
- Highly flexible, open-minded person being able to think outside the box of single scientific disciplines;
- Good experience with experimental set-up or monitoring, ideally on different scales;
- Experience with typical data types for environmental monitoring is required; experience or knowledge on qualitative and quantitative social or economic data is a strong asset;
- Basic knowledge of modern data analysis techniques, e.g., dimensionality reduction, Bayesian inference and machine learning approaches, would be advantageous;
- Experience in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary project settings;
- Interest in contributing to the development of environmental research theoretical foundations and respective research strategies;
- High motivation to work in an interdisciplinary team and for direct interactions with local stakeholders; openness for transdisciplinary constellations
- Good command of the German language (at least level B2) is a strong asset.
What we offer:
The project is led by Prof. Frank Ewert and supported by the directorate. The position will be allocated in the working group
Dimensionality Assessment and Reduction of the
Research Platform Data Analysis and Simulation. ZALF will further ensure that all Prep-LL team-members can closely work together.
The successful candidate will be offered a full-time contract. It is generally possible to work in the position on a part-time basis. Salary will follow the guidelines for public employees according to the German TV-L level of E13, including special annual payment. The position is initially limited to 3 years until 31st Aug. 2024. An extension with a second project phase is aspired. The working place is in Müncheberg near Berlin, Germany. Mobile work of max. 40% of monthly working time is possible given reconciliation with project requirements. ZALF offers individual options for career development such as financial support for trainings and coaching as well as variable options to access scientific resources.
ZALF is an equal opportunities employer (audit berufundfamilie® certificate) and specifically encourages female scientists to apply. Applications of disabled applicants with equal qualifications will be favoured.
Application and candidate selection
Application documents should include a cover letter addressing your fit to the position, a comprehensive CV, proof of qualification and certificates, contacts for reference (no reference letters required). Please send your application as a single PDF file (max. 5 MB; packed PDF documents, archive files like zip, rar etc. and Word documents cannot be processed and therefore cannot be considered) to
Bewerbungen@zalf.de, stating the reference number 49-2021. The deadline for applications is
18th July 2021.
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact
Katharina Brüser (
brueser@zalf.de, Tel. +49 (0) 33432/82-4092) or
Prof. Gunnar Lischeid (
lischeid@zalf.de, -300).
For cost reasons, any application documents can only be returned if an adequately stamped envelope is attached.
If you apply, we collect and process your personal data in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of the EU GDPR only for the processing of your application and for purposes that result from possible future employment with the ZALF. Your data will be deleted after six months.
You can find further information at:
www.zalf.de/en/ueber_uns/Pages/Datenschutzerklaerung.aspx