Tenure Track scientist as working group head (m/f/d) on “Co-developing technological innovations for resilient agricultural value networks” [Reference No. IAT-T04-2026]

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Testo originale dell'annuncio (in inglese)

The Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) is a nationally and internationally active research institute and member of the Leibniz Association. ZALF aims for excellent and integrated research with societal impact to support an ecologically, economically and socially sustainable agriculture – together with society. Launched in 2026, ZALF's Innovation Centre for Agricultural System Transformation (IAT) operates as a permanent structural unit with 19 new working groups in Müncheberg, Kassel, Giessen and Geisenheim. The IAT strives to pioneer research in agricultural living lab contexts, working closely with diverse societal actors to co-develop, test and evaluate land use systems, value networks, and innovative solutions for sustainable transformations. Joining the IAT offers a unique opportunity to actively shape its development and contribute to cutting-edge, impact-driven research. The advertised position is embedded in the thematic area of Co-design of value creation networks within the IAT, thereby fostering collaboration across disciplines and research groups in this field at ZALF and with partners. More information: Innovation Centre for Agricultural System Transformation . With its Tenure Track System, ZALF aims to recruit excellent scientists with core expertise aligned with the IAT by guaranteeing a permanent contract upon successful evaluation. We are offering at our IAT campus in Giessen a full-time position as Tenure Track scientist as working group head (m/f/d) on “ Co-developing technological innovations for resilient agricultural value networks” [Reference No. IAT-T04-2026] This Tenure Track Call invites applicants with qualifications to lead a new working group on research for co-developing technological innovations for resilient agricultural value networks. Research should support innovations including (digital and AI-based) technologies to develop adaptive value networks for sustainable and resilient regional farming systems. The resilient value networks should integrate horizontal linkages between different actors of the farming system (producer, processor, retailer, consumer) and thereby expands the value chain concept of a vertical flow from producer to consumer with further cooperation option, therefore supporting diversification of farm and farming system activities. The research will be implemented in living labs, primarily in Germany, but also in other world regions. Research will collaborate with other working groups at Justus-Liebig-University Giessen and ZALF and will be supported by institutionalised living lab structures of the IAT. The successful candidate will: employ quantitative studies to analyze and assess opportunities and risks of technological and AI-based innovations for value creation along the agricultural value chain engage in an open innovation process to co-develop potential technological solutions in alignment with institutional innovations for resilient value chains co-developing strategies for up- and outscaling of successful technological solutions cooperate with the other IAT working groups operating in the five IAT living labs as well as with the socio-economic research groups at JLU Giessen and at ZALF establish the working group within the international scientific community including acquisition of third-party funding and supervision of early career researchers. Qualifications The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in economics or agricultural sciences, or similar, with a focus on technological innovations and value chains. They will have a significant scientific record in value chain research as well as first experience in transdisciplinary research and/or open innovation processes. Basic German language skills and a willingness to improve is required to allow interaction with actors in the living lab regions. Preliminary experience in scientific leadership is e