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 of Root-Soill Interactions studies how soil properties, environmental factors, and root traits shape rhizosphere processes, with a focus on nutrient cycling, nutrient solubilization, and plant stress adaptation. We use system-based approaches (isotopic tracing, rhizosphere imaging, chemical analyses) to identify traits that improve nutrient uptake and resource-efficient C use from small-scale processes to landscape-level applications in sustainable agriculture. We are seeking a student assistant to support laboratory and field activities, including sample preparation, root phenotyping (washing/scanning), exudate/rhizosphere sampling as well as basic soil and plant analyses. This position can be combined with a Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis aligned with our research.

We are offering for 6 months, starting earliest November 2025 (20h/month) at our site in Müncheberg a position for a

• Support laboratory workflows: sample prep, extractions, weighing/filtration, basic chemical analyses.
• Assist with root–soil experiments: root washing/scanning, rhizosheath/mucilage sampling, exudate collection, imaging support.
• Contribute to field work: soil/plant sampling, in-situ measurements, plot maintenance, sample logistics.

• Enrollment as a B.Sc. or M.Sc. student in agriculture, geo-ecology, or a related field
• Interest in laboratory and field work

• Practical work in the exciting research field of root-soil interactions
• Insight into scientific practice at a renowned, non-university research institute
• Flexible working hours
• Remuneration is based on the standard hourly rates for student/research assistants in the state of Brandenburg

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 CV, proof of qualification and certificates, stating the reference number 59-2025 until 15.10.2025 to (see button e-mail application below).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Dr. Maire Holz, Tel.: 033432/82-127, Email: 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.