Postdoctoral Fellowship: Postdoc Scientist in Resource-Efficient Controlled Environment Horticulture — IGZ, Germany

About the position

IGZ – Leibniz Institute for Horticultural Sciences invites applications for a Postdoc Scientist (f,m,d) in Resource-Efficient Controlled Environment Horticulture (Reference Number: 12/2026/4). The position is based in Großbeeren, near Potsdam and Berlin, Germany.

Employment is initially for three years, with a three-year extension after a satisfactory evaluation at 2.5 years according to IGZ criteria for postdoctoral careers. The salary follows TV-L, up to pay scale 13, for 100% of the regular working time. Part-time arrangements with a minimum of 32 hours per week are possible.

About IGZ and the research group

IGZ is a member of the Leibniz Association and conducts horticultural research across plant, environmental, and social sciences. The institute addresses challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, pesticide reduction, healthy nutrition, and resource-efficient food systems through fundamental and applied research.

The successful candidate will join the research group “CEA – Controlled Environment Horticultural Systems”. The group develops sensor- and model-based approaches for monitoring, decision support, and optimisation of crop production in greenhouses, indoor farms, and other controlled environments. Its work integrates crop physiology, environmental sensing, process-based modelling, artificial intelligence, and digital twin concepts to improve productivity, sustainability, and resource-use efficiency (RUE).

Your tasks

• Build an independent research portfolio aligned with the group strategy
• Design and conduct controlled-environment horticulture experiments using advanced sensors and imaging
• Investigate plant responses to environmental conditions and resource management in controlled environment agriculture (CEA)
• Develop and apply process-based approaches to analyse, predict, and optimise crop performance and RUE
• Integrate experimental, physiological, and environmental data to improve understanding of production systems
• Publish in international peer-reviewed journals and acquire national and international third-party funding
• Supervise Bachelor, Master, and PhD students
• Contribute to scientific coordination and strategic development of the research group

Your profile

• PhD in horticultural sciences, controlled environment agriculture, plant physiology, biosystems engineering, agricultural engineering, environmental engineering, or a related discipline
• Strong interest in sustainable and resource-efficient controlled-environment horticultural production systems
• Proven ability to conduct independent scientific research
• Experience in designing and conducting experiments under controlled environmental conditions
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Ability to work independently and within interdisciplinary teams
• Motivation to acquire competitive national and international research funding
• Readiness to contribute to an international, collaborative research environment

We offer

• An inspiring, interdisciplinary research environment at one of Europe’s leading horticultural research institutes
• Opportunity to develop an independent research profile in resource-efficient controlled environment agriculture
• Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, including greenhouses, fully climate-controlled plant production chambers, and advanced sensor technologies
• Strong support for scientific career development, publishing, and third-party funding acquisition
• Participation in national and international research projects and scientific networks
• Flexible and family-friendly working time models, including mobile working up to 50% of working time
• VBL Ost company pension scheme, collectively agreed annual bonus, and 30 days of vacation per year

IGZ values equal opportunities and diversity. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference if equally qualified.

How to apply

Please submit a cover letter outlining motivation and research interests, a detailed CV with a list of publications, copies of academic certificates, up to three representative publications, a maximum two-page research statement describing your planned research programme and its alignment with the group’s strategy, and contact details of two references.

Applications quoting the reference number 12/2026/4 should be sent by email to [email protected] in PDF format by 30 September 2026. Alternatively, you may send your application to: Personalbüro, Leibniz Institute for Horticultural Sciences, Theodor-Echtermeyer-Weg 1, D-14979 Großbeeren, Germany.

Original vacancy