Tenure Track Position as WG Lead (m/f/d) Agricultural Sociology: Acceptance and Transformation Research

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.

With its Tenure Track System, ZALF aims to recruit excellent scientists with essential expertise by providing a guaranteed transitioning to a permanent contract subject to successful evaluation.

The position will be located in the Research Area “Land Use and Governance” within the Working Group “Co-Design of Change and Innovation” The working group focuses on the actors of agricultural landscapes with their values, norms, interests and knowledges as well as their actions in the context of transformation, change and innovation processes. We consider individual, organizational and interorganizational forms of spatial interaction in institutional frameworks. Overall, the work aims to develop an integrative concept for change and innovation processes in agricultural landscapes.

We are offering at our location in Müncheberg a

on “Agricultural Sociology: Acceptance and Transformation Research”

Call description

The post holder should lead the "Co-Design of Change and Innovation" working group and conduct internationally visible research in the field of sustainability-orientated transformation research in agricultural landscapes.

This Classic Tenure Track Call invites applications with a theoretical and empirical background in rural sociology and a strong interest in understanding processes of change and transformation in agricultural landscapes. Applicants should have profound knowledge and many years of experience in the field of transdisciplinary research and participatory research methods. A strong interest in interdisciplinary cooperation and integrative research approaches is required in order to optimally utilise the interdisiplinary environment of ZALF.

The successful candidate will:

• investigate social structures and societal developments in changing agricultural landscapes
• use various social-empirical methods to analyze attitudes, norms and values of rural stakeholders for a better understanding of land use conflicts and acceptance of sustainable innovations
• further develop participatory research methods and co-design processes to support transformation processes in agricultural landscapes

The call is aimed at dynamic and highly motivated researchers with a PhD in sociology or a related subject. The applicant should already be active in relevant national and international academic networks. Candidates must have demonstrated their capacity to independently carry out research, including an excellent publication record, successfully acquired competitive third-party funding, and visibility in their respective field of research. Experiences in leading research groups are highly welcome.

We offer

The successful candidate will receive a Regular Tenure Track position (2 x 3 years) with transition to a permanent position, subject to successful evaluations (midterm and final tenure evaluation). If candidates are not legally eligible for two consecutive fixed-term contracts, they may enter the Fast Tenure Track (1 x 3 years) if the required scientific achievements are fulfilled.

Further:

• Full-time contract, with part-time option to allow for the reconciliation of family and career
• Salary will follow the guidelines for public employees according to the German TV-L, depending on the personal qualification and agreed responsibilities up to the level of E14
• Individual options for career support such as a mentoring tandem, courses and trainings as well as variable options to access scientific resources
• An interdisciplinary working environment that encourages independence and self-reliance
• A collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic research institution
• Remote working to a certain extent
• Company ticket for public transport

Application and candidate selection

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 favored.

Application documents must follow the specifications given in the respective guideline available at the ZALF website (www.zalf.de/en/karriere/tenure-track ) and include two standardized letters of recommendation of scientists who are familiar with your research accomplishments and academic credentials (template available at https://www.zalf.de/de/karriere/tenure-track/Documents/ZALF_TenureTrack_App4_Reference_Letter.docx ).

Candidate selection is based on scientific achievements, strategic aspects, and personal suitability. Details on criteria, minimum requirements and evaluation processes can be obtained from the ZALF Tenure Track System guideline, which is an official annex to this call: www.zalf.de/de/karriere/tenure-track/Documents/ZALF-Tenure_Track_System_Guideline.pdf . Please send your application preferably online . For e-mail application, create a single PDF file and send it to tenuretrack(at)zalf.de stating the reference number T02-2024.

The deadline for applications is 10 April 2024.

If you have any questions regarding the research profile of this position, please contact Prof. Dr. Bettina Matzdorf (Phone +49(0)33432/82-150; matzdorf(at)zalf.de . For questions regarding the Tenure Track System, please contact Dr. Susanne Kramer (Phone +49(0)33432/82-4052; Susanne.Kramer(at)zalf.de ).

For cost reasons, your 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. You can find further information at: www.zalf.de/en/ueber_uns/Pages/Datenschutzerklaerung.aspx .