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 Ecophysiology of Matter and Water Cycling (ECO) working group at ZALF investigates the movement of substances and water within the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC) across agricultural and managed landscapes. The group combines isotope techniques, gas flux measurement methods, and plant physiological approaches to better understand key environmental processes and support climate-resilient land management.

To support ongoing research activities in the area of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water fluxes, and environmental monitoring, particularly in peatland and grassland systems, we are offering a position of up to 40h/month temporarily limited until 12/2026 at our location in Müncheberg as

• Support the implementation and maintenance of field sites monitoring GHG emissions and water fluxes using automated chamber systems and IoT sensor networks.
• Assist in the calibration, deployment, and maintenance of low-cost DIY (Arduino/Raspberry Pi-based) devices for measuring CO2, CH4, and evapotranspiration (ET).
• Contribute to fieldwork campaigns, including data collection on rewetted peatlands in Brandenburg.
• Support data analysis using pre-developed scripts in R

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program in Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture, Horticulture, Biology, Geo-ecology, or related fields.
• Basic knowledge of biogeochemical cycles and GHG emission dynamics.
• Experience or interest in working with Arduino/Raspberry Pi-based devices and programming (e.g., R, Python).
• Strong organizational skills, reliability, and an ability to work independently.
• Willingness to participate in fieldwork campaigns, including multi-day site visits.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English or German
• Possession of a valid EU Category B driver's license would be advantageous.

• Salary according to the usual hourly rates for student assistants in Brandenburg.
• Opportunities to gain hands-on experience in fieldwork and state-of-the-art GHG and water flux measurement techniques.
• Exposure to interdisciplinary research and collaboration with national and international partners.
• Flexible working hours, including the option for some remote work.
• A collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic research institution.
• An interdisciplinary working environment that encourages independence and self-reliance
• Opportunity to write a Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis as part of the project.

ZALF promotes equality among all employees and welcomes applications regardless of ethnic, cultural, or social background, age, religion, ideology, disability, gender, or sexual identity. 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 05-2026 until 28.02.2026 to (see button e-mail application below).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: **Dr. Mathias Hoffmann mathias.hoffmann@zalf.de or Milan Shay Kretzschmar milanshay.kretzschmar@zalf.de**, Tel. +49 (0) 33432/82-213.

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.