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 position will be located in the Research Platform “Data Analysis and Simulation” within the Working Group “Multi-Scale Modelling” under the project “Supporting Agroecological Transitions of Agroforestry Landscapes using an Innovative Transdisciplinary Assessment Framework”- AGRECO4CAST, aiming to co-design a standardized assessment framework for Living Lab (LL) innovations, that fosters a coherent, successful integration of agroecological principles in agroforestry landscapes characterized by perennial cropping systems, such as vineyards, olive- or fruit orchards, across European countries.

We are offering, subject to final confirmation by the funding organization, a temporary 65% part -time position, limited until June 31st, 2028, at our location in Müncheberg, Germany as

• Develop and implement an integrated modelling framework within SIMPLACE (https://www.simplace.net/index.php) for agroforestry landscapes, incorporating perennial cropping systems (e.g., fruit trees, olives, vines) with appropriate input/output formatting and model linkages.
• Assess options for synergies from optimizing spatial configurations of landscape elements across farms and formulate scenarios that account for different climatic and socio-economic future conditions.

The call is addressed to dynamic and highly motivated researchers with a MSc level knowledge in agricultural or hydrological sciences, with sound expertise in Remote sensing applications, big data integration, developing and applying deep learning models, and understanding of hybrid modelling concepts. Strong Java programming skills are mandatory.

• a completed master's degree in the field of Agriculture Science or Forest Science
• programming experience in Java and Python
• as an internationally research institution, located in Germany we require good to very good written and spoken English skills and the willingness to take part in further training as part of the language courses in German offered internally
• experience with Crop models or Forest models, and Machine learning is desirable

• 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
• ZALF offers a company ticket for public transport
• flexible working hours and family-friendly conditions (mobile work of max. 40% monthly working time is possible given reconciliation with the project requirements)
• budget for conferences, meetings
• in-house language courses in German and English

Women are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications from severely disabled persons with equal qualifications are favored. 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 25-2025 until 10th May 2025 to (see button e-mail application below).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Amit Kumar Srivastava, Tel. +49 (0) 33432 82-173.

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.