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.

The PostDoc will work within the Resource-Efficient Cropping Systems group in the CropCat project on upscaling minor crops with institutional catering within the European agroecology partnership. CropCat aims at developing the cultivation of minor crops in farmers’ fields and the consumption of related products in canteen guest plates following a co-innovation and interdisciplinary approach. We will (i) work in living labs where innovations on minor crops will be developed across stages of the value chain; (ii) characterize the agroecological performance of minor crops and improve cultivation techniques (led by the PostDoc at ZALF); (iii) develop low-tech pre-processing technologies; (iv) capture the value of minor crop food products into new business models; (v) develop nudges to consumers’ choices of dishes based on minor crop food products; (vi) identify policy instruments and governance frameworks supporting the development of minor crops from farmers’ fields to canteen plates (https://www.agroecologypartnership.eu/cropcat)

We are offering a full time position temporarily limited until March 2028 with the option of an extension at our location in Müncheberg as

Your tasks:

• synthesize existing agronomic knowledge on minor crops (e.g. chickpea, lentil, buckwheat, grass pea)
• design agroecological practices and assess the performance of minor crops (on-farm and on-station)
• further develop methodologies for on-farm experimentation
• work within a living lab in Brandenburg with a strong farmer network, canteens and other actors
• conduct workshops with canteen cooks and farmers in collaboration with project partners

Your qualifications:

• PhD degree in agricultural sciences, e.g. with a focus in agronomy, agro-ecology, co-innovation
• skills relevant for co-design processes, especially for working with farmers and canteens
• ability to work in an interdisciplinary and international team as well as independently
• interest to design and analyse on-farm experiments
• motivation to collaborate with international and regional project partners e.g. HNE Eberswalde
• excellent command of English (German is an additional asset but not a requirement)
• strong documented skills in scientific writing

We offer:

• a position in an innovative EU project with high scientific and practical relevance
• an interdisciplinary working environment that encourages independence and self-reliance
• classification according to the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L) up to EG13 with up to 100% of the regular working time (including special annual payment)
• a collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic research institution
• company ticket

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 45-2025 until 30 July 2025 to (see button e-mail application below).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Dr. Moritz Reckling, Tel. 0049-(0)33432 82 257, e-mail moritz.reckling(at)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.