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.

ZALF's research is addressed in three program areas and a research platform. The Impact Assessment of Land Use Change research group analyses changes in agricultural landscapes, their value for people and their impact on sustainable development. As a partner of the Horizon Europe funded project, SOLO- Soils for Europe (https://soils4europe.eu/), we aim to i) analyse the driving forces that induce changes both for soils and land management, to identify and understand emerging opportunities and challenges for soil health, and ii) to develop a typology of soil health drivers. We do this by conducting a systematic literature review and synthesising the data.

To support our work, we are looking for an initial period of 6 month (40 h/month) a:

We seek a motivated Student Research Assistant with a background in environmental sciences, landscape planning, land use transformation, agriculture, agricultural economics or natural resource management, and sufficient knowledge of data management to join our research team. The ideal candidate should have experience conducting reviews of scientific publications and summarising and condensing information to a non-scientific readership. Your task includes:

• Review scientific publications on soil and land use and management
• Support management and synthesis of the collected data on soil and land use and management
• Support the associated analysis and writing required for the project deliverables and scientific publications
• Supporting the creation of tables, graphics and presentations
• Supporting project events and workshops
• Writing and revising texts in English

• Currently enrolled in a Master's program
• Sufficient knowledge in the review of scientific literature
• Efficient in using Excel or other tools and programs for data sorting, management and visualisation
• Proficiency in English (writing and speaking)
• Interest in frameworks and models to capture complex issues related to soil and land use
• Ability to work in a team and contributing your skills in a diverse work environment

• Salary according to the usual hourly rates for student/ scientific assistants in Brandenburg
• The opportunity to gain experience working in an international EU-funded project
• An interdisciplinary research environment.
• Flexible working hours including home office partly and a friendly working environment in the team.

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 motivation letter, CV, proof of qualification and certificates, stating the reference number 32-2025 until 10.06.2025 to (see button e-mail application below).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Shaswati Chowdhury (Shaswati.chowdhury@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.