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.

We are seeking a PhD researcher to join our team for the research projects 'KICS-ZERT' and 'DAKIS.' KICS-ZERT, which stands for 'AI- and Citizen Science-Supported Monitoring of Certified Biodiversity Projects,' is funded by the BiodivKI funding initiative of the BMBF. DAKIS, the 'Digital Agricultural Knowledge & Information System,' is funded by the BMBF through the 'Agricultural Systems of the Future' program. By focusing on AI-based monitoring and decision support systems, both projects aim to enhance the valorization of ecosystem services, fostering connections technologies, scientific research, business and policies.

The visual assessment of biodiversity, usually carried out by experts, can now be enhanced or replaced by AI model and citizen science. The PhD research will contribute on the business model and policy instrument that supports biodiversity assessments and conservation measures with AI in practical, real-world applications.

The position is based within the working group ‘Governance of Ecosystem Services’. The central question of this working group is which governance approaches allow for the targeted provisioning of societally desired ecosystem services and biodiversity objectives. A special focus lies on financial incentives and their interactions with regulative law and voluntary cooperation. Through our inter- and transdisciplinary research projects, we mainly conduct empirical research within case studies spanning Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

We are offering a 65% position, initially limited to 48 months, with the possibility of an additional 12-month extension. The appointment is initially made under funding policy conditions until 30.09.2025. The earliest possible start date is February 2025, and the position is based at our location in Müncheberg as

•   active participation in two research projects
•   development of own research design to analyze the integration of AI technologies to valorize ecosystem services;
•   conducting literature reviews and analysis to inform your research;
•   collect empirical data through interviews and surveys;
•   analyzing quantitative data using R, Stata, or other statistical software;
•   preparing results for communication to stakeholders, such as project workshops, as well as the scientific community, including presentations at national and international conferences and journal publications

•   excellent completion of a master in environmental or (agricultural) economics, nature resource management or related subjects;
•   strong statistical skills and demonstrated experience;
•   familiarity of experimental surveys such as Factorial Survey Experiments is advantageous;
•   extensive knowledge of technologies for biodiversity monitoring and sustainable agriculture is an advantage;
•   strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently are essential;
•   excellent command of the German and English language (oral and written);
•   scientific curiosity and high interest in conducting a doctoral thesis within an interdisciplinary team

•   work in inter-disciplinary and multinational team that encourages independence and self-reliance
•   collaborative and inclusive atmosphere within a vibrant research institution
•   collaboration with leading AI scientists for biodiversity
•   collaboration with business sector, who undertakes analysis of their impact on and dependence on biodiversity
•   project budget to cover data collection and travel costs
•   links to national and international research networks (e.g. , Ecosystem Services Partnership)
•   access to training courses for PhD students (e.g. in-house training, Doctoral Certificate Program in Agricultural Economics, budget for additional training)
•   salary in accordance with the guidelines for public employees according to the German TV-L up to E13, including special annual payment
•   option to conduct up to 40% of your monthly working hours as mobile work
•   support in reconciling work and family life
•   employer subsidized job ticket

Women are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications from severely disabled persons with equal qualifications are favored. Please send your application preferably online. For an 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, including motivation letter, CV, proof of qualification and certificates, stating the reference 103-2024 until December 31, 2024 to (see button e-mail application below).

Job interviews are tentatively scheduled in January, 2025.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Prof. Dr. Bettina Matzdorf, matzdorf@zalf.de, Dr. Cheng Chen, cheng.chen@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.