Tätigkeitsprofil:

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 maintains further locations in Brandenburg (Dedelow, Paulinenaue) as well as in Hesse (Giessen, Witzenhausen, and Geisenheim).

The Coordination Project Food Systems Research Hub (FSRH): Resilient Agricultural Production Systems – Basis for Nutrition and Security of Supply (FoodBase) is establishing a long-term research infrastructure for resilient and sustainable agricultural and food systems. The objective is to make a decisive contribution to food and supply security through strategic research programming and networked infrastructures. In doing so, we integrate climate adaptation, pesticide reduction, and healthy nutrition along the entire value chain to provide evidence-based decision-making foundations for policy and society. Together with the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), ZALF coordinates the activities of the FSRH.

We are seeking to fill the position at the earliest possible date (the position is available immediately), with a fixed-term contract until 31.12.2029 with the possibility of continued employment, a full-time position in Müncheberg for a:

Research Associate in Living Lab Infrastructures (m/f/d)

52-2026

Living labs are increasingly recognised by research institutions as a long-term infrastructure for developing and testing innovative solutions for resilient and sustainable agricultural and food systems under real-world conditions. Research conducted in living labs inherently requires inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, frequently spanning multiple institutions and disciplines. Within this context, the FSRH will systematically review both ongoing and planned activities related to living lab infrastructures in agricultural, food, and nutrition research, with the aim of developing a coordinated and synergistic approach.

This position combines scientific expertise with coordinating responsibilities. The successful candidate will systematically map the diverse living lab initiatives across Germany, develop concepts for their shared and efficient utilisation, and establish a platform for exchange between science, practice, and policy. In doing so, they will make a decisive contribution to strategic research programming and foster bidirectional knowledge transfer between research and application.

Your tasks:

Mapping & Analysis: Systematically identify, document, and compare existing living labs and comparable initiatives across Germany – spanning the entire value chain from primary production to end consumers. This includes reviewing initiatives from other policy domains (Ressorts) and incorporating international experience and best practices.
Synthesis & Evaluation: Develop structured overviews of the research questions, methodological approaches, and evaluation frameworks employed within these living labs, with particular attention to assessing their scientific and societal impact.
Networking & Transfer: Establish a central contact and coordination point for prospective projects involving FSRH members and external stakeholders. Actively foster connections between research institutions engaged in living lab research, both nationally and internationally. Provide internal and external advisory services on living lab methodologies and co-design processes.
Reference Function: Position the FSRH as the national reference centre for living lab research in agricultural, food, and nutritional sciences. Facilitate the integration of national living lab infrastructures into European and international research initiatives and networks.

Anforderungsprofil:

Your qualifications:

The successful candidate will hold a university degree (ideally a doctorate) in agricultural, food, or nutritional sciences, data sciences, or a related discipline. They will demonstrate extensive professional and network experience in transdisciplinary research formats, preferably within living lab contexts. Substantive expertise in research infrastructures and participatory research methodologies is expected. A comprehensive understanding of current debates and initiatives in living lab research is essential. The role requires proven capacity for independent project management – including planning, coordination, and implementation – combined with a strong interdisciplinary perspective on agricultural, food, and nutritional systems.

What we offer:

A collegial and open work climate within a dynamic research institution
Salary classification according to the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Länder (TV-L) up to E13, including annual special payment
Support for subject-specific and cross-disciplinary training, continuing education, and qualification measures
Support for work-life balance, certified by the "Audit Beruf und Familie" (Work and Family Audit)
Climate-conscious organisational practices (procurement, vehicle fleet, energy management)
Company ticket (additional discount on the Deutschlandticket)
Mobile working options

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. 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 number52-2026 until 09.12.2026 to (see button e-mail application below).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Julia Schiller [], Tel. +49 (0) 33432/82-647.

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: