Post-doctoral Researcher (f/m/d) for assessing practices of food system actors in the context of alternative food networks

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 position will support the EU Horizon Research and Innovation Project SWITCH: Switching European food systems for a just, healthy and sustainable dietary transition through knowledge and innovation”. The overarching goal of the SWITCH proposal is to improve understanding of knowledge, accessibility and facilitation gaps that limit present large scale adoption of sustainable and healthy diets among European citizens and to develop and demonstrate appropriate innovative solutions and tools to facilitate a just transition towards healthy and sustainable dietary behavior at all levels of the multi-actor food system in EU. Within this project, we are offering a 75% part-time position temporarily for 2.5 years, starting June 1st 2024 at our location in Müncheberg as

Post-doctoral Researcher (f/m/d) for assessing practices of food system actors in the context of alternative food networks
34-2024

Your tasks:

• conducting transdisciplinary research with actors in food hub initiatives, in short food supply chains and diverse public procurement settings to improve the understanding of the barriers and enabling factors affecting people’s food habits
• assessing individual, socio-cultural-economic, institutional, and environmental determinants of healthy, sustainable dietary habits of people by using a framework established in the SWITCH project
• leading and conducting socio-empirical research on the context, mechanisms, and outcomes of alternative food networks connecting agricultural production and dietary shifts
• accounting for equity in the engagement of marginalized or vulnerable groups in the food system transformation
• conducting literature and secondary data surveys
• academic writing (scientific papers, deliverable reports for the EU)
• discussing, integrating, and sharing results with project partners
• attending international project meetings

Your qualifications:

• PhD in health promotion, sociology, human geography, public health or related subjects
• experience in living labs and/or citizen science using participatory research
• experience in applying qualitative and quantitative research methods and techniques
• interest in conceptualizing and applying an interdisciplinary, systems approach to food systems transformation, including nutritional, socio-cultural and environmental dimensions
• strong interest in working with non-science actors
• as an internationally research institution, located in Germany we require good to very good written and spoken English skills and the willingness to take part in further training as part of the language courses in German
• offered internally interest in working in an interdisciplinary and international project team
• commitment to contribute to a positive work environment and learning processes within a dynamic working group
• organizational skills and ability to work independently

What we offer:

• an ambitious working group at ZALF
• a network with food and nutrition experts (and enthusiasts) across Europe through the SWITCH project
• an opportunity to engage with a food hub community in Berlin and other alternative food networks both in Berlin and/or across European cities
• a great deal of freedom to design your postdoctoral research focus within the assigned project tasks
• an interdisciplinary and international working environment that encourages independence and self-reliance
• classification according to the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L) up to EG13 (including special annual payment)
• a collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic research institution
• company ticket
• in-house language courses in German and English

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. 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 34-2024 until May 1, 2024 to (see button e-mail application below).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: Dr. Maria Lee Kernecker, Tel. +49 (0) 33432/82-448; e-mail: maria.kernecker@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.