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 maintains further locations in Brandenburg (Dedelow, Paulinenaue) as well as in Hesse (Giessen, Witzenhausen, and Geisenheim). The IAT strives to pioneer research in agricultural living lab contexts, working closely with diverse societal actors to co-develop, test and evaluate land use systems, value networks, and innovative solutions for sustainable transformations. Joining the IAT offers a unique opportunity to actively shape its development and contribute to cutting-edge, impact-driven research. The advertised position is embedded in the thematic area of Modelling and Assessment within the IAT, thereby fostering collaboration across disciplines and research groups in this field at ZALF and with partners. More information: .

With its Tenure Track System, ZALF aims to recruit excellent scientists with core expertise aligned with the IAT by guaranteeing a permanent contract upon successful evaluation.

We are offering at our IAT campus in Müncheberg a full-time position as

Tenure Track scientist as working group head (m/f/d) on “Integrated assessment modelling for living labs” IAT-T03-2026

Call description

This Tenure Track Call invites applicants with qualifications to lead a new working group in support of the co-design of resilient and sustainable farming systems and agricultural landscapes. The position will advance (inter-)disciplinary methods for integrated assessment modelling. Integrated assessment modelling refers to the impacts of agricultural management decisions in living labs under emerging conditions (product demands, policies, dietary changes, social and technological innovations, climate change). The position is expected to assess drivers of farm and landscape-level innovations. All research should be embedded in a living lab context, primarily in Germany, but also in other world regions.

The successful candidate will

• develop approaches to quickly and robustly tailor model configurations (components and data) to assess innovations suggested by key stakeholders in a living lab context
• conduct model based integrated assessments at farm and landscape level in active collaboration with researchers conducting participatory resilience and sustainability assessments
• advance concepts and methods for integrated agricultural systems modelling in a living lab context (e.g., participatory modelling, combining qualitative assessment with data-driven models)
• take responsibility as a working group head and to the acquisition of third-party funding and supervision of early career researchers
• establish cooperations within and beyond ZALF and the IAT university partners.

Qualifications:

We are seeking a creative, systems thinker and impact-oriented scientist. The selected candidate will have a Ph.D. in agricultural sciences or engineering, or a related discipline. They will have significant experience in integrated agricultural system modelling, experience in conducting impact assessments and a strong interest in research inspired by solving real-world problems in partnership with farmers and other actors. Ability to clearly communicate with model programmers and developers is required, and programming expertise is an advantage. Previous experience in working in interdisciplinary teams is required, as is an openness to transdisciplinary research.

We offer:

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to the design and establishment of the new IAT and become part of a new interdisciplinary research team in an inspiring and challenging research environment. 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 (according to the German academic employment law – WissZeitVG), a Fast Tenure Track (1 phase) may be negotiated if the required scientific achievements are fulfilled.

Further:

• Full-time contract, with part-time option to allow for the reconciliation of family and career
• Classification according to the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L) E14 (including special annual payment)
• Individual options for career support such as mentoring tandems, courses & training
• A transdisciplinary working environment that encourages independence and self-reliance
• A collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic research institution
• Service groups and support for stakeholder management and living lab coordination, as well as for data management and computation
• Access to a network of national and international scientific partners in the field of research
• A collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic research institution
• Relocation within commuting distance of the IAT location is welcome; remote working is permitted up to 40% per month
• Company ticket for public transport.

Application and candidate selection

ZALF promotes equality among all employees and welcomes applications regardless of ethnic, cultural, or social background, age, religion, ideology, disability, gender, or sexual identity. ()Applications of disabled applicants with equal qualifications will be favored. All applications require the following documents: 1) application letter, 2) summary of future research plan (2 pages), 3) list of peer-reviewed publications, 4) list of acquired third-party funding, 5) certificates and proof of qualifications, and 6) two standardized letters of recommendation of scientists who are familiar with the candidate’s research accomplishments and academic credentials (template available at ). Specifications for all documents are available on the ZALF website () and within the ZALF .

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 (). Please send your application, preferably online (see link below). For e-mail application, create a single PDF file and send it to starting the reference number IAT-T03-2026.

The deadline for applications is September 20, 2026.

If you have any questions regarding the research profile of this position, please contact Prof. Dr. Katharina Helming (Phone +49(0)33432/82-155; ). For questions regarding the Tenure Track System, please contact Dr. Susanne Kramer (Phone +49(0)33432/82-221; ).

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 ZALF. Your data will be deleted after six months.

Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF),

Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany

Contact of Human resource management: