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 working group Isotope Biogeochemistry and Gas Fluxes (ZALF IBG) is working on the investigation of key processes that significantly regulate the flow of substances and water within the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC) of agricultural used landscapes. For this purpose, isotope techniques, methods for measuring gas fluxes and plant physiological studies are combined. The targeted combination of these approaches and their further development within the framework of interdisciplinary and multiscale projects enables the integrative analysis and quantification of material fluxes along the SPAC as well as the elucidation of their regulation.

Currently we are looking for a motivated PhD researcher joining our team to completing a dissertation within the joint research project NemGem. In vegetable production, high nitrous oxide (N2O) and ammonia (NH3) emissions occur after harvesting, since a high proportion of harvest residues with mostly high nitrogen (N) content remains in the field. The aim of the project NemGem is to reduce these N2O and NH3 emissions in field vegetable production. In order to achieve this goal, processing (composting, ensiling and anaerobic digestion) and recycling of crop residues will be investigated within field trial as well as 15N and incubation studies. Within NemGem, ZALF IBG will be partly responsible for the working packages 2 “Quantify the mitigation of N emissions in the field and N transfer to the succeeding crop by enhancing crop residues” and 4 “Assessment of measure efficiency and measurement of N fluxes in incubation trials”. The particular focus for the dissertation will therefore be on N dynamics and transformation processes in field vegetable production.

We are offering a part-time position (65% full-time equivalent) for three years, starting earliest 1st of January 2024, located at ZALF in Müncheberg as

• implementing (e.g., IoT sensor network) and conducting measurements (supported by the project technician) to monitor gaseous N-emissions (mainly N2O and NH3; closed chamber measurements) and N-dynamics at two measurement sites in Brandenburg
• independent planning and execution of the necessary field work
• planning and conducting soil incubation experiments at ZALF as well as a 15N field experiment in cooperation with the IGZ
• use and further development of low-cost DIY (Arduino/raspberry pi based) gaeous N-emission measurement devices (developed by ZALF IBG and e.g. used in Ghana, Benin and the Philippines) for in-situ measurements of inter-alia NH3
• on-time data analyses using pre-developed calculation and evaluation scripts in R (a further development of those in R, Julia and/or Python is encouraged)
• close cooperation and exchange with project partners and local partners as well as preparation of results for communication to stakeholders (e.g. project workshops) and the scientific community (e.g. presentations at national and international conferences, journal publications)

• excellent completion of a Master (or equivalent) in the field of electronics, agriculture, horticulture, biology, geo-ecology or related subjects
• extensive knowledge of biogeochemical cycles and especially N-dynamics
• basic knowledge of at least data processing or programming language (e.g., R) as well as vegetable production is an advantage
• organizational skills, the ability to work independently and willingness for multiday measurement campaigns and travelling to different field sites all over Brandenburg
• fluently in English skills (oral and written; basic German advantageous)
• scientific curiosity and high interest in writing a doctoral thesis

• an interdisciplinary working environment that encourages independence and self-reliance
• classification according to the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L) up to E13 (including special annual payment)
• a collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic research institution
• excellent state-of-science technical facilities and equipment
• access to training courses for PhD students (e.g. in-house training, Doctoral Certificate Program in Agricultural Economics, budget for additional training)
• support in reconciling work and family life
• company ticket

Women are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications from severely disabled persons with equal qualifications are favored. It is generally possible to work in the position on a part-time basis. 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 Cover letter, CV, proof of qualification and certificates, stating the reference number 115-2023 until January, 15 2024 to (see button e-mail application below).

IIf you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Dr. Mathias Hoffmann, Tel. +49 (0) 33432/82-473, mathias.hoffmann@zalf.de  and Dr. Maire Holz, tel. +49 (0) 33432/82-475, maire.holz@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.