Postdoctoral researcher for Participatory Modelling in Living Labs in Agricultural Landscapes (m/f/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). 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 co-innovation and transformation for sustainable agricultural landscapes. In establishing the network of living labs, the project will develop recommendations on the required data and knowledge infrastructure needed for its 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 E 13, 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(at)zalf.de , stating the reference number.

The deadline for applications is 22nd August 2021.

www.zalf.de