Research associate (PhD student) (f/m/d)

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 KoReGio100 is creating a real-world laboratory in Schleswig-Holstein to test and establish innovative approaches for sustainable and socially equitable regional development. Within the region around Heide, Rendsburg, Neumünster, and Kiel, one of the most ambitious transformation projects in Europe for the processing of renewable energies is being created as part of the regional innovation initiative \“Clean Energy Valley.\“ Against this backdrop, KoReGio100 develops a \“co-creative region\“ – a novel governance approach that empowers regional stakeholders to actively shape the transition toward a climate- and resource-friendly society together.

KoReGio100 is a collaborative project of the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Martin Luther Universität Halle-Wittenberg. It combines geoecology, social innovation research, and conflict research within an inter- and transdisciplinary research setting. The subproject at ZALF focuses on land and resource use conflicts that emerge in the context of the “Clean Energy Valley” initiative and aims to institutionalize conflict management practices at the regional level.

As of November 1st, 2025, we are offering a full-time position, subject to the approval of the external funding agency, temporarily limited until October 31st, 2030 at our location in Müncheberg as

Research associate (PhD student) (f/m/d)

Your tasks:

• Supporting research activities in the subproject on conflict management, especially literature analysis, qualitative data collection and analysis, and contributing to publications
• Implementation of an independent research project within the conflict management subproject (e.g., in-depth conflict analyses)
• Participation in transdisciplinary processes with regional practice partners, particularly in the context of building and implementing the real-world laboratory in the Clean Energy Valley
• Involvement in events, workshops, and public formats of the project
• Active participation in internal team processes and work meetings
• Preparation of a doctoral dissertation
• Publication and presentation of research results at various levels (international scientific journals and conferences, practice-oriented formats)

Your qualifications:

• Completed studies in sociology, political science, environmental planning, resource management, geography, environmental psychology, or a related field
• Knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative social science methods
• Strong interest in inter- and transdisciplinary research as well as in socio-ecological transformation processes
• Initial experience with and enjoyment of academic work (ideally including some publication experience)
• High level of cooperation skills and willingness to work with regional practice partners
• Proficient command of German and English, both written and spoken
• Initiative, ability to work in a team, excellent communication skills, and an interest in independently and autonomously developing a qualification topic
• Willingness to undertake regular business trips within Germany and other European countries

What we offer:

• An inspiring research environment and a topic with high social relevance
• Excellent supervision that encourages independent and autonomous work
• Diverse opportunities for collaboration with regional practice partners as well as national and international scientific networks
• Access to qualification programs and further training opportunities
• Remuneration according to the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L) up to E 13 (including annual special payment)
• Company ticket
• A collegial and open working atmosphere in an ambitious junior research group

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. and 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 57-2025 until 21 September 2025 to (see button e-mail application below).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Dr. Meike Fienitz, Tel. +49 (0) 33432/82-179.

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.

Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF),

Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany

Contact of Human resource management: personal@zalf.de

www.zalf.de