Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Müncheberg

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). The institute also maintains locations in Dedelow and Paulinenaue.

We are offering a 65% position for 36 months at our locations in Müncheberg and Paulinenaue as

PhD researcher (f/m/d)

The project "BExudation - Integrating exudation into the root economics space to better understand carbon and nutrient cycling in managed grasslands” is part of the DFG Priority Program 1374 "Biodiversity Exploratories”.

The project aims to include root exudation into the existing framework of the root economics space to foster our understanding of carbon and nutrient cycling in managed grasslands. We aim to study the filter effects of soil environmental parameters and land use effects on plant functional biodiversity and investigate the effect of plant-community exudation patterns on ecosystem functions like productivity, carbon and nutrient cycling and greenhouse-gas emissions.

Your tasks:

• perform a multi-species greenhouse experiment
• determine species specific exudation rate and chemical composition
• measure root morphological traits and mycorrhizal colonization to complement the data
• determine interspecific patterns in root exudation
• utilize data from the Biodiversity Exploratories to study how the environment filters for plant functional strategies and how in turn they affect ecosystem functioning
• present your results at national and international conferences
• publish in scientific journals

Your qualifications:

• master in biology, biogeochemistry or comparable studies
• good English speaking and writing skills
• good knowledge in plant and/or soil ecology
• basic understanding in chemistry and lab work
• comprehensive knowledge in statistics and related programs (R-language)
• excitement in learning new concepts and methods
• joy in conceptual thinking and critical discussion

We offer:

• an interesting research project embedded in the Biodiversity Exploratories network and supported by international collaborators
• attendance of annual meetings of the Biodiversity Exploratories as well as national and international conferences
• excellent networking and training opportunities within the Zalf doctoral program and the Biodiversity Exploratories
• supervision by two research groups at ZALF (Sustainable Grassland Systems, Root-Soil Interactions)
• an interdisciplinary working environment that encourages independence and self-reliance
• a collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic research institution
• classification according to the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L) up to E13 (including special annual payment)
• a company ticket
• a welcome center to facilitate the arrival of international colleagues

ZALF promotes equality among all employees and welcomes applications regardless of ethnic, cultural, or social background, age, religion, ideology, disability, gender, or sexual identity. 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 Cover letter, CV, proof of qualification and certificates, stating the reference number 04-2026 until 06 March 2026 to (see button e-mail application below).

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.