Earlier Career Researcher - Agroecological Systems (f/m/d)

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). The institute maintains further locations in Brandenburg (Dedelow, Paulinenaue) as well as in Hesse (Giessen, Witzenhausen, and Geisenheim).

The research group “Farm Economics and Ecosystem Services” is a team of dedicated senior and early career scientists who want to make a difference through good science, mutual support and exchange with other disciplines and practitioners. We offer a position within the EU-Agroecology Partnership project Agri-TASC (funded by BMFTR): In the project, we aim to assess the ecological, social and economic benefits of agroecology, test solutions in European Living Labs, and improve tools for evaluating alternative farming methods.

We offer a temporary part-time position (65% of regular weekly working hours) at our location in Müncheberg subject to funding for 36 months with the earliest starting date in August 2026.

Earlier Career Researcher – Agroecological Systems (f/m/d)

Your tasks:

• Socio-economic assessment of agroecological systems (Development, adaptation and application of assessment models to analyse the economic and social impacts of agroecological practices)
• Scenario development and policy analysis (development of evidence-based future scenarios and policy recommendations for agroecological transformation)
• Interdisciplinary work with farmers and other project partners in six living labs across Europe on improving practical and institutional changes in the agricultural systems

Your qualifications:

• A completed master's degree in agricultural economics, environmental economics, or a related field
• A good understanding of European farming systems
• Experience in surveys among farming communities
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams
• Strong interest in scientific writing and excellent command of English.
• As the project relates to German agricultural systems, a very good command of German is required

What we offer:

• The opportunity to pursue a PhD in a related discipline
• An interdisciplinary working environment that encourages independence and self-reliance
• A collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic research institution
• Institutional commitment to a good work-life balance
• In‑house and external courses related to the subject of your PhD
• Job ticket for regional public transport in Germany and
• Classification according to the collective agreement of the federal states (TV‑L) up to E13 (including special annual payment)

ZALF promotes equality among all employees and welcomes applications regardless of ethnic, cultural, or social background, age, religion, ideology, disability, gender, or sexual identity. The filling of the position in part-time is possible in principle.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Dr. Johannes Schuler, Tel. +49 (0) 33432/82-378.

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.

Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF),

Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany

Contact of Human resource management: