Student assistant (m/f/d) in the ET4D project

The Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy is a pioneer and a driver of bioeconomy research. Our work is aimed at creating the scientific foundation to transform agricultural, food, industrial and energy systems into a comprehensive bio-based circular economy. Objectives are to develop and to integrate techniques, models, processes and management strategies, effectively converging technologies to intelligently crosslink highly diverse bioeconomic production systems and to control them in a knowledge-based, adaptive and largely automated manner. We conduct research in dialogue with society - knowledge-motivated and application-inspired.

The aim of the "ET4D" project is to expand and validate an existing, low-cost system for monitoring the barn climate and emissions (for example for dairy cattle). Reports tailored to the target group about conditions in the husbandry system and their environmental impact should be available through an app or website. Based on surveys, these information systems address the needs and interests of the various target groups. Data assimilation and aggregation is done using machine learning and modeling.

Within the project, we are looking for a

Student assistant (m/f/d) in the ET4D project

In this project, we will carry out a social diagnosis to define the conditions for making purchasing decisions in the dairy market. The study will identify information needs of selected target groups for the dairy sector. Their expectations regarding production quality and the supply network will be analyzed. Key element of the analysis will be the collection for data on the target groups broadly understood information needs to be expressed and categorized with reference to relevant environmental, economic and social sustainable development goals. An additional task is to characterize the needs of farmers and the related expectations regarding the filtering/aggregation of data on the farm. This includes a review of concerns of farmers related to transparency and data sharing. It will help to identify strategies and incentives to remove barriers to the adoption of transparency measures. Our study will employ a methodology of combining information collection procedures, which some partners have successfully applied in other current projects. The essence of this approach is conscious and controlled differentiation of key test parameters concerning research methods and techniques; information sources; concepts and explanatory theses. Due to the adopted objectives, we will use quantitative and qualitative triangulation methods (i.e., in-depth interviews and structured questionnaires) in different countries.

Your responsibilities

• Support social diagnosis to identify consumer behaviors and expectations in the dairy market, focusing on production quality and supply networks.
• Gather and structure data on consumers’ needs related to sustainability goals.
• Implement data collection tools, particularly conducting surveys in Germany.
• Work with farmers to understand and address their data transparency and aggregation needs.
• Assist in the preparation and distribution of reports to ensure relevance and engagement of stakeholders

Your qualifications

• Interest in social science and environmental or agricultural science
• Proven knowledge and experience in pre-categorized survey studies is an advantage
• Very good written and spoken German and English skills required
• Openness and communication skills, independence, personal commitment, reliability, ability to work in a team and willingness to cooperate are required

We offer

• An attractive interdisciplinary working environment in an experienced and committed international team
• Excellent infrastructure for scientific work
• Family-friendly working conditions that promote the compatibility of work and family life
• Company-owned electric bicycles and business cars for work trips
• Participation in the VBB company ticket or Deutschland-Ticket
• A work place located on the edge of a picturesque landscape and easily accessible by public transportation or bicycle

The position encompasses a working time of 40 hours per month and is limited to one year. The remuneration is 13,25 € / hour or 13,83 € hour with a Bachelor degree.

For further information, please contact Dr. Sabrina Hempel (Tel. +49 331 5699-518, mail: shempel(at)atb-potsdam.de ) or visit our website www.atb-potsdam.de .

If you would like to contribute your expertise to our interdisciplinary research, we look forward to receiving your detailed application documents. Please apply by May 31, 2024, using the online application formfor the job advertisement, reference code 2024-5-1 at https://www.atb-potsdam.de/en/career/vacancies . Applications received after the application deadline cannot be considered.

Equality of opportunity is part of our personnel policy. Disabled applicants with adequate qualification will be preferentially considered.

By submitting an application, you agree that your job application documents will be stored for a period of six months, even in the case of an unsuccessful application. Further information on the processing, storage and protection of your personal data can be found at https://www.atb-potsdam.de/en/data-protection-declaration-for-the-application-process