Project Staff for Co-Creation, Transfer and Project Management (m/f/d) (50-75%)

The Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy e. V. (ATB) is a pioneer and driver of bioeconomy research. We create scientific foundations for the transformation of agricultural, food, industrial, and energy systems into a comprehensive bio-based circular economy. We develop and integrate techniques, processes, and management strategies, effectively converging technologies to crosslink bioeconomic production systems intelligently. By conducting research in dialogue with society, we aim to create knowledge-motivated and application-inspired solutions.

The Working Group on Innovations in Sociotechnical Systems (ISTS) envisions well-aligned social and technical systems that facilitate innovation and thereby support the transition toward a sustainable biobased economy. Its mission is to contribute to the generation and institutionalization of knowledge on the interplay of subsystems in support of an innovative, circular, inclusive, and cumulative biobased economy. To this end, holistic strategies, processes, as well as structures for collaboration, governance, and learning are co-designed and implemented jointly with stakeholders, employing innovative methods and tools to foster sustainable transformations toward a biobased economy. Within the framework of the Horizon Europe project NEXRUR, the following position is to be filled as part of the ISTS team:

Project Staff for Co-Creation, Transfer and Project Management (m/f/d) (50-75%)

Combined applications for multiple positions within the NEXRUR Project are possible up to a total extent of 100%.

Your responsibilities

• Perform action research in the context of the following project tasks:
  • Lead the administrative, legal, financial, and technical coordination and administration of the project, ensuring ethical compliance, effective data management, and timely delivery of project objectives.
  • Design, implement, and coordinate the Communication, Dissemination, and Exploitation (CD&E) strategy in collaboration with European and Chinese partners.
  • Foster external networking and collaboration to maximize project visibility, future opportunities and long-term impact.
  • Prepare communication and promotional materials and events to collaborate effectively and disseminate project outcomes.
• Contribute to the production of high-quality project deliverables and reports aligned with project milestones and goals.
• Disseminate research findings through scientific publications and conferences; support the development of research proposals for external funding.
• Manage and execute internal and external events.
• Contribute to ongoing research and other activities within the ISTS group and ATB.
• Mentor junior researchers, including PhD, Master’s and  Bachelor’s students and contribute to teaching responsibilities.

Your qualification profile

• General qualifications:
  • An academic degree, preferably a PhD, in project or science management, co-creation and transfer studies, innovation research, sustainability transitions, or a related field.
  • A research-oriented attitude and scientific mindedness, and experience with participatory, action-oriented approaches to research.
  • Excellent English communication skills, demonstrated through scientific publications; proficiency in German sufficient for working in an academic environment is required, while knowledge of Chinese is an asset.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in transdisciplinary and cross-cultural teams, with proven experience in international collaboration.
  • Enthusiasm, self-reliance, strong organizational skills.
• Specific qualifications:
  • Proven experience in coordinating international, cross-cultural teams and building synergies with projects, networks, and initiatives to enhance collaboration, visibility, and impact.
  • Strong project management skills, including financial, legal, and technical coordination, with solid experience in administrative tasks such as budget monitoring, reporting, and ensuring compliance with EU and international regulations.
  • Skills in participatory and co-creative research methods and stakeholder engagement including stakeholder analysis and social network analysis.
  • Experience in the preparation of project reports and research proposals.
  • Experience in coordinating dissemination activities and organizing events (e.g. workshops, webinars, conferences) to share project results with academic, policy, and practice communities.

We offer you

• An interdisciplinary and collaborative working environment at the forefront of research on sustainability transitions and community development.
• The opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in business development and entrepreneurship in rural areas with high societal relevance.
• Mentorship and support in publishing and developing research proposals.
• Family-friendly working conditions and a supportive team atmosphere.
• Participation in the VBB company ticket or Deutschlandticket.
• Access to excellent research infrastructure and a picturesque location in Potsdam.

The part-time position (50-75%) is limited to four years and will be compensated according to TV-L 13. This position is complementary to the position for a research associate advertised as part of the NEXRUR project at Humboldt Universität zu Berlin. The position is expected to begin in June/July 2025, contingent upon the final approval of the project by the funding agency.

For further information, please contact PD Dr. Philipp Grundmann (email: pgrundmann@atb-potsdam.de) and visit our website at www.atb-potsdam.de.

If you would like to contribute your professional competence to our interdisciplinary research, please apply by the following deadline 28.05.2025 using ATB’s online application form for the job advertisement, reference 2025-TA-TPM-8, at https://www.atb-potsdam.de/de/karriere/offene-stellen. Applications received after the application deadline cannot be considered.

The interviews are scheduled for 05^th or 06^th June.

Please make a note of the date.

Equality of opportunity is part of our personnel policy. Disabled applicants with adequate qualification will be preferentially considered.

By submitting an application, you agree that your job application documents will be stored for a period of six months, even in the case of an unsuccessful application. Further information on the processing, storage and protection of your personal data can be found at https://www.atb-potsdam.de/en/services/data-protection-declaration-for-the-application-process.

Published on April 24, 2025