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.

As a partner in the collaborative project, “Systemic Sustainability”, funded by the Leibniz Association, we aim to bring together knowledge in science and society on the fundamental challenges of rapid biodiversity loss, climate change, and unsustainable agri-food systems to promote the development and implementation of systemic solutions.

We seek a motivated Research Assistant (WHK) with a background in agriculture, biodiversity, environmental sciences, or related fields and sufficient knowledge of science-policy dialogue to join our research team. The ideal candidate should have experience in supporting the coordination of a large research team, organizing and maintaining the documentation of team meetings, seminars, and workshops, and disseminating and distributing outputs in various formats, including on social media. The candidate should have experience summarising and condensing information to a non-scientific readership. Skills in creating infographics, animations, and short videos are welcome. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in consolidating LL-SYSTAIN activities and support organising transdisciplinary workshops and seminars on biodiversity, climate, agriculture, and food.

We are offering a time-limited contract for 40 hrs/month initially for up to six months, with possible extension of up to a year, starting as soon as possible, for a

• Coordinate and manage project team meetings, keeping the calendar, agendas, and meeting documentation
• Communicate meeting agenda, links, and meeting minutes to the project team
• Maintain and update the project’s participation in science-policy dialogues
• Support the organization of seminars and workshops with stakeholders
• Document the workshop discussions, summarise and compile the main findings, and draft the reports and briefs
• Handle the project’s communications activities, including social media and infographics

• Currently enrolled in a Master's program in Environmental Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Applied Landscape, Agriculture, or Biodiversity (Management and Marketing students can also be considered if there is proven interest in biodiversity, climate, agriculture, or food)
• Experienced in supporting interdisciplinary research teams
• Adequate skills in team management and collaboration tools
• Proven ability to write non-scientific articles, blogs, and reports on agriculture/environment/food security and/or climate change
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and German
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a research-policy environment

• Salary according to the usual hourly rates for student/ scientific assistants in Brandenburg
• The opportunity to gain experience in science-policy dialogues
• An interdisciplinary research environment
• Flexible working hours, including home office partly, and a friendly working environment in the team

ZALF promotes equality among all employees and welcomes applications regardless of ethnic, cultural, or social background, age, religion, ideology, disability, gender, or sexual identity. 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 a short cover letter, CV, proof of qualification, diplomas and transcripts, stating the reference number 60-2025 until October 22 2025 to (see button e-mail application below).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Sundus Saleemi (sundus.saleemi@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.