Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Potsdam

The Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy is a pioneer and a driver of bioeconomy research. We create the scientific foundation to transform agricultural, food, industrial and energy systems into a comprehensive bio-based circular economy. We develop and integrate techniques, processes and management strategies, effectively converging technologies to intelligently crosslink highly diverse bioeconomic production systems and to control them in a knowledge-based, adaptive and largely automated manner. We conduct research in dialogue with society, policymakers, industry and other stakeholders - knowledge-driven and application-inspired.

The Innovations in Sociotechnical Systems (ISTS) Working Group specializes in transition research focusing on shaping socio-technical pathways to a sustainable biobased economy. Using a transdisciplinary approach, we partner with stakeholders in action-oriented living labs to co-design and assess system innovations. Our analysis of social, technical, and institutional interplay supports the development of a bioeconomy that is circular, inclusive and cumulative.

The Horizon Europe project URSOILL investigates socio-technical innovations that promote soil health and resilience in urban and rural areas. This research involves co-developing, evaluating and institutionalizing novel solutions with stakeholders from policy, business and civil society. It focuses on governance, scientific validity, and practical feasibility to generate actionable knowledge for sustainability transitions.

The ISTS research group is seeking to fill the following position to contribute to the URSOILL project and related research initiatives:

Researcher in co-creation and co-management of living labs (m/f/d) (75 – 100 %)

Your responsibilities

• Lead action research and co-creation processes within living labs, guiding technical and organizational innovations for urban and rural soil health through their full lifecycle - from co-design and implementation to joint assessment
• Analyze the complex interplay of social, technical and ecological factors in co-creation processes
• Contribute to theoretical and applied knowledge on sustainability transitions and publish research findings in high-impact, peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Analyze and engage key stakeholders to analyze the policy landscape and co-develop tools supporting innovations and business solutions
• Coordinate project tasks, ensuring high quality and timely delivery of results and reports
• Develop and implement robust data management and performance monitoring using social, environmental and economic KPIs to identify and analyze key leverage points
• Create and implement measures and tools for capacity development and the replication of successful approaches across different contexts
• Contribute to communication, dissemination and exploitation (CD&E) in collaboration with international partners
• Present research results and project outcomes at national and international scientific conferences
• Contribute to and lead the development of compelling research proposals to secure external funding
• Plan, manage and execute internal and external project events, workshops and meetings
• Mentor and guide junior researchers, PhD candidates and master's/bachelor's students, including undertaking limited teaching responsibilities
• Actively contribute to the broader research agenda, projects and collaborative activities of the ISTS group and ATB

Your qualifications

• An established research profile in participatory and transdisciplinary approaches, with a proven track record of designing and leading co-creation, action research or living lab projects, ideally within the context of rural-urban development or sustainability transitions
• Mastery in the application and strategic combination of research methods, particularly in the facilitation of participatory formats (e.g., workshops, design sprints) and in the collection and analysis of data using qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method designs
• Preferably a PhD in a relevant discipline, such as institutional economics, rural-urban and regional planning and development, policy analysis, sustainability science, transition studies, human- and social geography, organizational sociology or an affiliated field
• A demonstrated ability to build and strategically cultivate networks with actors from academia, practice, business, policy and civil society as a foundation for impactful participatory research
• A strong portfolio of publications in relevant, international peer-reviewed journals in the aforementioned research fields
• Experience in developing research proposals and managing grant-funded projects, including coordination, financial administration and reporting
• Willingness and ideally experience in delivering university-level courses and in co-supervising students (e.g., Bachelor's, Master's and PhD theses)
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential for international scientific collaboration. A good command of German is beneficial.

We offer

• An interdisciplinary and collaborative working environment at the forefront of research on sustainability transitions and collaborative development
• The opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in transition studies, rural-urban integration, circular economies, social innovation, local entrepreneurship, multi-level governance of and knowledge systems
• Mentorship and support in publishing and developing research proposals
• Excellent opportunities for academic career development through active collaboration with our network of partner universities
• Family-friendly working conditions that promote the compatibility of work and family life and a supportive team atmosphere
• Subsidy for the VBB company ticket or Deutschland-Ticket
• A working place located on the edge of a picturesque park-like landscape and accessible by public transport or by bike

The part- or full-time position (75 – 100 %) is limited to four years and will be compensated according to salary group TV-L 13. The position is expected to begin in September 2025, contingent upon the final approval of the project by the funding agency.

For further information please contact PD Dr. Philipp Grundmann (E-Mail: pgrundmann(at)atb-potsdam.de) and visit our website http://www.atb-potsdam.de.

If you would like to participate in our interdisciplinary research, please apply by 15.08.2025 using ATB’s online application form for the job advertisement, code 2025-TA-1, at https://www.atb-potsdam.de/en/career/vacancies.

The interviews are scheduled for 21 and 22 August 2025.

Equality of opportunity is part of our personnel policy. Disabled applicants with adequate qualification will be preferentially considered.

By submitting an application, you agree that your job application documents will be stored for a period of six months, even in the case of an unsuccessful application. Further information on the processing, storage and protection of your personal data can be found at https://www.atb-potsdam.de/en/services/data-protection-declaration-for-the-application-process.