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 project EU BENCHMARKS will develop monitoring approaches for research and knowledge on soil health. For this purpose, several soil health indicators will be tested, among them methods to assess soil hydrological properties which then also provide information on certain soil functions. The student assistant will be trained to become responsible for a new measurement device that will be implemented in BENCHMARKS at ZALF in Müncheberg.

We are offering a 40 hours / month position starting earliest in May 2023 and temporarily limited until December 2023 at our location in Müncheberg as

• implementation of HYPROP 2 instrument for unsaturated soil hydraulic properties
• accurate and precise documentation of method implementation
• support of sampling for undisturbed soil cores
• continuous measurements of undisturbed soil cores with HYPROP to obtain soil moisture release curves
• soil retention and conductivity data processing and database creation

• ongoing advanced B.Sc. or early M.Sc. studies in soil, agricultural, or environmental sciences
• highly capable and motivated to learn new methodologies in the laboratory
• laboratory skills like systematic organization and meticulous documentation
• knowledge on soil-related ecosystem services is beneficial
• driving license advantageous

• an interdisciplinary working environment that encourages independence and self-reliance
• remuneration in accordance with the usual hourly rates for student/scientific assistants in the state of Brandenburg
• a collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic research institution
• company ticket for train
• possibility to use collected project data for own thesis compilation
• this student assistance job will be offered again in 2024 and could therefore be extended

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 CV, proof of qualification and certificates, stating the reference number 26-2023 until 31 March 2023 to (see button e-mail application below).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Frau Dr. Kathrin Grahmann, Kathrin.Grahmann@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.