Postdoc Funded Position in Environmental/Sustainability Sciences at ZALF in Germany

Researchers looking for a postdoctoral position in Germany may be interested in a new opportunity at the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF). The institute is offering a Postdoc (f/m/d) position for 2027 as part of the interdisciplinary PLANTH research project. The position is based in Müncheberg, Germany, and is planned as a full-time appointment for two years starting in May 2027.

The ZALF Postdoc Position 2027 is particularly relevant to researchers with a PhD in geography, environmental sciences, sustainability sciences or a related field. The successful candidate will work on research involving landscape transformation, spatial analysis, migration, plants, ethnobotany, land-use change and participatory research.

The application deadline is September 30, 2026, while interviews are expected to take place during the first weeks of November 2026. Candidates interested in this opportunity should therefore begin preparing their application well before the deadline.

ZALF Postdoc Position 2027 at a Glance

The position is offered by the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, commonly known as ZALF, and is connected to the PLANTH research project. The job is based in Müncheberg in Brandenburg, Germany, with an expected starting date of May 2027 and a duration of two years.

The position is advertised as full-time, although part-time employment is possible in principle. The salary classification is according to the collective agreement of the federal states, TV-L up to E13, including a special annual payment.

The reference number for the vacancy is 41-2026, and the application deadline is September 30, 2026.

About the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research

The Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) is a nationally and internationally active research institute that focuses on developing solutions for ecologically, economically and socially sustainable agriculture and landscapes. ZALF is a member of the Leibniz Association and brings together researchers from different academic disciplines to study the relationships between agriculture, landscapes, ecosystems and society.

The institute’s main location is in Müncheberg, Brandenburg, approximately 35 minutes by regional train from Berlin-Lichtenberg. ZALF also maintains other locations in Brandenburg, including Dedelow and Paulinenaue, as well as locations in Hesse, including Giessen, Witzenhausen and Geisenheim.

For researchers considering academic careers in Germany, ZALF provides an interdisciplinary research environment where scientific work is connected to practical challenges involving agriculture, land use, sustainability and landscape transformation.

What Is the PLANTH Research Project?

The PLANTH project examines migration and mobility from a perspective that goes beyond traditional human-centered approaches. The project focuses on the relationships between people, plants and landscapes and explores how these relationships contribute to new livelihoods and the creation of places.

Plants can play an important role in the lives of people who migrate. They may travel with individuals and communities, provide food or other resources, support livelihoods, and remain connected to cultural memories and practices. Plants can therefore become important companions throughout the migration process.

PLANTH investigates how people and plants move together and how these relationships influence landscapes in different locations across Europe and Asia. The project connects research on agriculture, spatial transformation, migration, ethnobotany, history and anthropology.

The project is being conducted through collaboration between the Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient and ZALF. It also incorporates expertise from researchers based at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice in Italy and Cardiff University in the United Kingdom.

What Will the ZALF Postdoctoral Researcher Do?

The successful applicant will contribute to the spatial and landscape research within the PLANTH project. The work will combine geographical analysis with historical, ethnobotanical, visual and participatory research. A major part of the position will involve analysing landscape, land use and land-cover change. The researcher will examine how landscapes develop and transform over time and investigate the relationships between land use, migration, plants and communities. The position is therefore particularly suitable for someone with experience in spatial analysis who is also interested in expanding their research into interdisciplinary areas.

Spatial Analysis of Landscape and Land-Use Change

Spatial analysis will be an important component of the postdoctoral research. The researcher will map and analyse land-use and land-cover changes and investigate what these changes can tell us about the transformation of landscapes. This work may involve combining geographical data with historical information and other forms of evidence. The goal is not simply to produce maps but to understand the social and environmental processes behind landscape change. The position also provides an opportunity to learn and apply innovative approaches to cartography and research communication.

Historical and Archival Research

The postdoctoral researcher will also contribute to historical and archival research in several countries. The research may include Italy, Bangladesh, Bulgaria and Turkey, with potential research related to Syria.

Historical records can provide important information about how people, plants, agricultural practices and landscapes have changed over time. Combining archival evidence with spatial analysis can help researchers understand long-term patterns of migration and landscape transformation. This makes the position particularly interesting for researchers who want to combine geography and environmental research with historical or archival methods.

Combining Ethnobotany and Spatial Research

One of the distinctive aspects of the PLANTH project is its focus on human-plant relationships. The postdoctoral researcher will integrate ethnobotanical findings into spatial analyses and explore ways of combining different types of research material.

The project encourages the use of cartographic, ecological, visual and ethnographic information. Bringing these different forms of knowledge together can provide a more detailed understanding of how people and plants interact with changing landscapes.

For researchers interested in ethnobotany, environmental humanities, landscape studies or interdisciplinary sustainability research, this aspect of the position could provide valuable experience.

Critical Cartography and Research Communication

The researcher will also have the opportunity to learn and use critical cartographic methods. Critical cartography considers not only how maps are created but also how geographical knowledge is represented and communicated. Maps can influence how people understand places, communities, resources and environmental change.

The PLANTH project therefore provides an opportunity to explore mapping as both a research method and a way of communicating complex research findings to different audiences.

Participatory Research and Fieldwork

The position also includes participatory research with people and communities. The researcher will explore what landscape change means for people, plants and communities and may be involved in planning and conducting workshops and exhibitions. This means the role combines desk-based research and spatial analysis with fieldwork and community engagement.

Applicants should be able to travel to different field sites in Italy and Turkey and participate in research activities that may involve working directly with communities and local research partners. Researchers who enjoy combining GIS and spatial analysis with qualitative fieldwork may find this particularly attractive.

Who Can Apply for the ZALF Postdoc Position?

The position is intended for candidates who already hold a PhD in geography, environmental sciences, sustainability sciences or a similar discipline. Applicants should have the ability to map and analyse land-use and land-cover change. Experience with GIS, spatial analysis, landscape research or related geographical methods can therefore be highly relevant.

The project is interdisciplinary, so applicants should also demonstrate an interest in working across different academic fields. Experience in migration studies, ethnobotany, environmental research, agriculture, anthropology or related areas may be useful depending on the candidate’s research background.

Language Requirements

Fluent English is required for the position. Applicants should also have basic speaking and/or reading skills in one or more relevant languages. The vacancy specifically mentions Italian, Bengali/Bangla, Bulgarian, Turkish and Arabic.

These language skills may be useful when conducting archival research, communicating during fieldwork and engaging with communities in different research locations. Candidates should clearly mention relevant language skills in their CV and motivation letter.

What Qualities Does ZALF Want in Candidates?

Academic qualifications are only one part of the selection process. ZALF is also looking for a researcher who is deeply curious about human-plant relationships and landscape change.

The successful candidate should be creative and independent in their approach to research while also being comfortable working as part of a collaborative interdisciplinary team.

A strong interest in exploring new research methods will be important because the PLANTH project brings together spatial, ecological, visual, ethnographic and historical materials. Candidates should also be prepared to contribute positively to the project group’s working culture and develop their own research profile within the PLANTH project.

Salary and Benefits

The ZALF postdoctoral position is classified according to the TV-L collective agreement for the federal states up to E13, including a special annual payment. The successful researcher will work in an interdisciplinary environment that encourages independence, creativity and collaboration. The position provides an opportunity to participate in an international research project involving research and community partners in at least two case-study regions.

The researcher will also gain experience with innovative research methodologies in the broader field of landscape studies. In addition, the vacancy lists a company ticket among the benefits. For an early-career researcher, the combination of international collaboration, interdisciplinary research, fieldwork and professional development can be valuable for building a future academic or research career.

Career Development Opportunities

A postdoctoral position can be an important step for researchers who have recently completed their PhD and are developing a longer-term research career. The PLANTH project provides opportunities to develop experience across several areas, including spatial analysis, landscape research, critical cartography, participatory methods, ethnobotany and interdisciplinary environmental research.

Working with researchers from several countries can also help the successful candidate expand their professional network and develop international research collaborations.

These experiences may be useful for future academic positions, research projects, environmental organizations, sustainability institutions and other careers involving environmental and geographical research.

Where Is the ZALF Postdoc Position Located?

The position is based in Müncheberg, Brandenburg, Germany. ZALF’s main institute is approximately 35 minutes by regional train from Berlin-Lichtenberg. This gives researchers the opportunity to work in a specialized agricultural and landscape research environment while remaining within relatively easy reach of Berlin.

Müncheberg can therefore be an interesting location for international researchers looking for a research position in Germany outside the centre of a major city.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

A strong application should be specifically tailored to the PLANTH project rather than being a generic postdoctoral application. The motivation letter should explain why the candidate is interested in the research project and how their previous academic experience connects with the position. Applicants can highlight relevant experience in spatial analysis, GIS, land-use change, landscape studies, migration research, environmental sciences, ethnobotany or fieldwork.

Candidates should also explain how their previous research methods could contribute to the interdisciplinary goals of PLANTH. If an applicant has experience working with communities, conducting workshops, undertaking archival research or communicating research through maps and visual materials, these experiences should be clearly described.

Why This Postdoc Position Is Different

The ZALF PLANTH postdoc opportunity stands out because it combines several areas of research that are not always brought together in a single position. The researcher can work with spatial data and maps while also examining historical documents, ethnobotanical knowledge and community experiences. This creates an opportunity to develop a broad research profile around landscape transformation and human-environment relationships.

The international nature of the project is another important feature. Research activities can involve different countries and research contexts, while collaboration with researchers from European and Asian settings provides an opportunity to gain international experience. For researchers interested in geography, environmental sciences, migration, sustainability, agriculture or landscape studies, this combination could make the position particularly valuable.

Equality and Inclusion at ZALF

ZALF states that it promotes equality among employees and welcomes applications regardless of ethnic, cultural or social background, age, religion, ideology, disability, gender or sexual identity. The institute also states that the position can, in principle, be filled on a part-time basis.

Application:

Applicants should submit a motivation letter, curriculum vitae, proof of qualification and relevant certificates via Online application For email applications, ZALF requests that all documents be combined into one PDF file with a maximum size of 5 MB.

The application deadline is September 30, 2026. Applicants should use the vacancy reference number 41-2026 when submitting their application. Interviews are expected to take place during the first weeks of November 2026, so candidates who apply should make sure they are available during this period if they are invited for an interview.To Online application

Applicants should not submit ZIP or RAR archives. The vacancy information also states that Word documents cannot be processed and therefore cannot be considered. Before submitting an application, candidates should carefully check that all required documents are included and that the final PDF meets the specified size and format requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About the ZALF Postdoc Position

What is the ZALF Postdoc Position 2027?

The ZALF Postdoc Position 2027 is a two-year research position at the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research in Müncheberg, Germany. The position is part of the PLANTH project and focuses on landscape change, migration, spatial analysis, plants and human-environment relationships.

When does the ZALF postdoc position start?

The position is expected to start in May 2027 and will run for two years.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is September 30, 2026.

What is the vacancy reference number?

The reference number for the position is 41-2026.

What PhD degree is required?

Applicants should have a PhD in geography, environmental sciences, sustainability sciences or a similar field.

Is GIS experience required?

Applicants should be able to map and analyse land-use and land-cover change. Experience with GIS and spatial analysis is therefore highly relevant to the position.

Does the position involve fieldwork?

Yes. The successful applicant should be prepared to travel to field sites, including locations in Italy and Turkey, and participate in participatory research.

Which language skills are required?

Fluent English is required. Basic speaking and/or reading skills in Italian, Bengali/Bangla, Bulgarian, Turkish and/or Arabic are also requested.

What salary is offered?

The position is classified according to the TV-L collective agreement up to E13, including a special annual payment.

Is this a full-time position?

Yes. The vacancy is advertised as a full-time position for two years. Part-time employment is possible in principle.

Where is the job located?

The position is located at ZALF in Müncheberg, Brandenburg, Germany.

When will interviews be held?

Interviews are expected during the first weeks of November 2026.

What documents are required?

Applicants should provide a motivation letter, CV, proof of qualification and certificates. For email applications, these documents should be combined into one PDF file of no more than 5 MB.

Can I submit a ZIP file or Word document?

No. The vacancy instructions state that archive files such as ZIP and RAR files and Word documents cannot be processed. Applicants should follow the specified PDF requirements.