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 for 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 at the earliest possible date for a
Postdoctoral researcher for
Participatory Modelling in Living Labs in Agricultural Landscapes (m/f/d)
[Reference N° 62-2021]
Your tasks:
- Conduct a literature review on current state of the art in the role of systems modelling in transdisciplinary research for future agricultural landscapes
- Develop a conceptual framework for the use of model based knowledge in co-design processes in LL
- Derive recommendations regarding required infrastructures, data requirements and communication modes to realize effective use of model-based knowledge in participatory processes
- Develop a concrete use case of participatory modelling including the patchCROP demonstration case
- Publication of respective journal papers and internal reports
Your qualifications:
- Experience and motivation to work in an interdisciplinary, participatory and transdisciplinary research setting
- Significant experience in socio-ecological and/or environmental systems’ modelling and analysis
- Academic background in agriculture (natural, social or economic sciences) or closely related fields, with significant interdisciplinary research experience; background in spatial science is an advantage
- Good knowledge of current scientific and policy debates in sustainable development of agricultural systems
- Ability to communicate in German with relevant stakeholders is a strong advantage
We offer:
The project is led by Prof. Frank Ewert and supported by the directorate. Depending on the specific candidate profile the position will be allocated in the directorate or a working
group of the
Research Area 3 Agricultural Landscape Systems. The successful candidate will closely collaborate with working groups with modelling activities and transdisciplinary
research and be supported by services of the
Research Platform Data 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 36 month. 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. Word documents cannot be processed and therefore cannot be considered!) to
Bewerbungen@zalf.de, stating the reference number.
The deadline for applications is
22nd August 2021.
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Katharina Brüser
(brueser@zalf.de, Tel. +49 (0) 33432/82-4092) or Dr. Annette Piorr
(apiorr@zalf.de, -222)
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