Postdoc (f/m/d) on transdiciplinary methods in agroecological living labs

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 postdoc position will support the European Partnership “Accelerating farming systems transition: Agroecology Living Labs and Research Infrastructures”. The assumption of the AGROECOLOGY Partnership is that the challenges faced by the European agricultural sector can be addressed through agroecology, which a systemic approach that builds on ecological interactions while using frontier-level science and innovations, while addressing socio-political and cultural dimensions underpinning the dissemination of best practices. The partnership relies on a common vision to unlock the transition to agroecology so that farming systems are resilient, productive, rooted in place, as well as climate, environment, ecosystem, biodiversity, and people-friendly by 2050. ZALF is part of the EU AGROECOLOGY Partnership, which started 1st of January 2024.

The particular focus of the advertised position for an advanced postdoc within the AGROECOLOGY-Team at ZALF is on developing a conceptual framework to assess and monitor agroecology transition processes. This includes developing appropriate indicators and quality criteria for monitoring the agroecological transition, its performance and social-ecological impacts. For the partnership, it is important to consider the entire value chain and all associated actor groups in understanding how they shape the transition. Therefore, close collaboration with and coordination of scientists within the AGROECOLOGY Partnership who are developing the Agroecology Living Labs is necessary.

We are offering a full-time position temporarily for 2 years, starting 1st of November 2024 within the Working Group for Land Use Decisions in a Spatial and System Context at our location in Müncheberg as

Postdoc (f/m/d) on transdiciplinary methods in agroecological living labs
67-2024

Your tasks:

• conducting systematic literature reviews
• collecting and analyzing data
• developing concepts that can be implemented in transdisciplinary research approaches
• preparing deliverables and l publications (both peer-reviewed and creative/public facing outlets)
• conducting in person and online interviews
• coordinating ZALF contributions to the partnership
• representing ZALF in the AGROECOLOGY Partnership
• discussing, integrating, and sharing of results with project partners
• attending international project meetings and conferences

Your qualifications:

• PhD in environmental / agricultural science, (rural) sociology, human geography, political sciences, sustainability sciences, or related subjects
• knowledge of transdisciplinary approaches and methods in theory and practice; research experiences in living labs will be an advantage
• knowledge on systemic agroecology and agroecological transformation processes, experiences in monitoring of such processes will be an advantage
• experiences in qualitative and participatory research methods
• experience in project coordination and with work in bigger consortia is highly desirable
• excellent command of the English language (written and oral)
• organizational skills and ability to work independently
• good interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset, prioritizing contributions to a positive work environment
• interest in working in an interdisciplinary and international project team

What we offer:

• opportunity to work with an international scientific agroecological community
• opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and living lab experts from across Europe in a solutions-oriented project supporting a sustainability transformation
• joining a pleasant, collaborative and inclusive working group and project team at ZALF
• opportunity to take on responsibility for fostering constructive relationships within the EU Agroecology Partnership
• renumeration according to the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L) up to E13 (including special annual payment)
• company ticket
• in-house language courses and resources for career development

Women are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications from severely disabled persons with equal qualifications are favored. It is generally possible to work in the position on a part-time basis. Please send your application preferably online. For e-mail applications, create a PDF document (one PDF file, max. 5 MB; packed PDF documents, archive files like zip, rar etc. Word documents cannot be processed and therefore cannot be considered!) with the usual documents, in particular Cover letter, CV, proof of qualification and certificates, stating the reference number 67-2024 until 18 August 2024 to (see button e-mail application below).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Dr. Kerstin Seier (administrative questions), Tel. +49 (0) 33432/82-258; e-mail: kerstin.seier@zalf.de or Dr. Maria Lee Kernecker (content related questions); e-mail: maria.kernecker@zalf.de .
Application documents sent by post or extensive publications will not be returned

For cost reasons, application documents or extensive publications 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.