Postdoctorial researcher (m/f/d)

The mission of the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) as a nationally and internationally active research institute is to deliver economically, environmentally 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.

We are offering a postdoc position within the FAIR-Sahel project funded by the European Commission under the DeSIRA programme. FAIR-Sahel aims to support smallholders in Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal to improve their living conditions and build their resilience to climatic and other shocks. The project will look specifically at agroecological intensification practices and methods, and how to support their successful application and access by farmers. Supporting the work of various PhD students, this postdoc position will lead efforts to evaluate the response of crops, cropping systems and soil organic carbon to select agroecological intensification practices under a range of climate scenarios using process based modelling at both local and regional scale.The postdoc position will be based in the Cropping System Analysis working group at ZALF at the Müncheberg campus for two years (TVL13) starting from May 2021 (subject to final approval of the funding contract).

Postdoctorial researcher (m/f/d)

Your tasks:

• Creation of a soil, climate and crop management database for use in the project
• Calibration and testing of an intercropping crop model
• Support to PhD students with crop model calibration and scenario impact assessments
• Regional scale climate change impact assessment of agroecological intensification options for cropping systems
• Explore participatory methods to use crop models together with extension agents or NGO staff to support building farming systems’ resilience
• Close collaboration with PhD students and researchers across disciplines from African and European partners
• Frequent travel to partners at CIRAD and WUR, as well as in West Africa
• Publication of results in peer-reviewed scientific journals

Your qualifications:

• PhD in agriculture science, agricultural engineering, soil science, mathematics, physics or similar
• Experience using cropping system simulation models
• Previous experience in computer programing or scripting
• Excellent communication skills in English, with working knowledge of French and German
• Experience working in tropical agriculture
• Good team work skills and willingness to collaborate across disciplines

We offer:

• Interdisciplinary working environment that encourages independence
• Opportunity to collaborate with leading international scientists and networks in cropping system analysis and soil biogeochemical processes
• Strong institutional commitment to a good work-life balance
• Classification according to the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L) EG13 with a 100% weekly working time (including special annual payment)
• A collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic research institution

Women are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications from severely disabled persons with equal qualifications are favoured. Please send your application by e-mail including a cover letter, CV, copy of your MSc degree and transcripts, and the names and contact information for three references stating the reference number 08-2021 as one PDF file, max. 5 MB before January 30, 2021 to: Bewerbungen@zalf.de.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Heidi Webber, webber@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.

You can find further information at: www.zalf.de/en/ueber_uns/Pages/Datenschutzerklaerung.as