Student assistant for soil sampling campaigns (f/m/d)

Müncheberg

Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e.V.

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 European Union funded project BENCHMARKS is developing monitoring approaches on soil health. For this purpose, several soil health indicators will be tested and assessed in the field and laboratory, which then also provide information on certain soil functions. The student assistant will be responsible for the 2024 soil sampling campaign to test selected indicator measurements in the patchCROP landscape experiment at ZALF in Müncheberg.

We are offering a student research assistant position starting earliest in September 2025 and temporarily limited for 12 months (with option of extension) for 40 h/month at our location in Müncheberg as

Student assistant for soil sampling campaigns (f/m/d)

39-2025

Your tasks:

• Continuous measurements of undisturbed soil cores using HYPROP system to obtain soil moisture release curves
• Soil water retention and conductivity data processing
• Support of field sampling campaigns in 2026
• Soil database maintenance

Your qualifications:

• Ongoing advanced B.Sc. or early M.Sc. studies in soil, agricultural or environmental sciences and enrolled at German University (please provide and upload enrollment certificate)
• Laboratory skills like systematic organization and meticulous documentation
• Availability to commute and work at ZALF campus Müncheberg
• Knowledge on soil parameter assessment is beneficial
• Driving license advantageous

What we offer:

• Practical work in the exciting research field of soil health and sustainable agriculture
• Interdisciplinary working environment that encourages independence and self-reliance
• Collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic research institution
• Payment according to the usual hourly rates for student/scientific assistants of the state of Brandenburg

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).

Online application 

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 number 39-2025 until 13 July 2025 to (see button e-mail application below).

E-mail application

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Dr. Kathrin Grahmann Kathrin.Grahmann@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.

Contact of Human resource management: personal@zalf.de