PhD candidate (f/m/d) - project: PRO-PLANTEURS-Recherche II - accompanying research on strategies for improving farmer families’ incomes & sustainable cocoa production

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 also maintains locations in Dedelow and Paulinenaue.

The project “PRO-PLANTEURS-Recherche II Accompanying research on strategies for improving farmer families’ incomes and sustainable cocoa production” aims at providing scientific evidence to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the development project PRO-PLANTEURS which focuses on the expansion of sustainable cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire. To support the project’s research activities, we seek a PhD candidate to work on the following topic:

"Closing the Living Income Gap: The role of cooperatives and other strategies to prepare producers for new regulatory requirements", affiliated to the working group Sustainable Land Use in Developing Countries.

We are offering, subject to funding commitment, a part-time (65%) position from 01.01.2025 temporarily limited until 31.12.2027 at our location in Müncheberg as

PhD candidate (f/m/d)

98-2024

Your tasks:

• conduct needs assessment and Living Income analysis based on farmer survey data
• assess selected economic cocoa sector strategies (e.g. payment for ecosystem services, premiums for cocoa agroforestry systems, other economic incentives) and their potential impact on cocoa farmers’ Living Income in Côte d’Ivoire
• conduct a market potential analysis for these selected economic cocoa sector strategies
• carry out a survey among cocoa cooperatives and develop a typology of cocoa cooperatives in Côte d’Ivoire
• publication of scientific papers and successful submission of PhD thesis to university
• results presentation at (inter)national conferences

Your qualifications:

• advanced University degree (Master or equivalent degree) in agricultural economics, economics or related fields
• good knowledge on sustainable agriculture and socioeconomic analysis of agricultural productio
• good knowledge on survey designs and statistical analysis
• excellent knowledge of French and English
• fulfill the Humboldt Universität Berlin’s entry requirements for PhD studies
• availability for extended periods of field activities in Côte d’Ivoire

What we offer:

• an interdisciplinary working environment that encourages independence and self-reliance
• classification according to the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L) up to E13 (including special annual payment)
• a collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic research institution
• company ticket
• in-house language courses in German (if needed)
• mobile working possible and flexible working hours, after consultation

Women are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications from severely disabled persons with equal qualifications are favored. The filling of the position in part-time is possible in principle. Please send your application preferably online (see button online application below). 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 CV, proof of qualification and certificates, stating the reference number 98-2024 until 01.12.2024 to (see button e-mail application below).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Katharina.Loehr@zalf.de or Franziska.Ollendorf@zalf.de.

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.