Stellenticket Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

The successful candidate will contribute to research and innovation activities in the following areas:

• Analyse social transformation processes in the bioeconomy and sustainability transitions
• Conduct research on innovation systems and ecosystems, including institutional, organizational, and governance innovation
• Perform policy analysis, including assessment of policy frameworks, regulatory instruments, policy coherence, and implications for sustainable bioeconomy development
• Analyse governance arrangements for sustainable resource management in multi-actor contexts
• Contribute to research on sustainable entrepreneurship, business model innovation, value-chain development, and business environment analysis
• Apply participatory and transdisciplinary research methods, including living labs, co-creation, and stakeholder engagement
• Work at the science–policy–society interface and co-develop solutions with actors from science, policy, industry, and civil society
• Conduct social, economic, and sustainability assessments using qualitative and mixed-methods approaches, including value-chain analysis
• Synthesize research results and translate them into actionable insights for policy and practice
• Contribute to coordination and implementation of international research projects, including proposal development and active engagement in the ISTS workgroup and ATB scientific activities
   
  As we are recruiting for multiple positions with complementary responsibilities, successful applicants will contribute to different research tasks and thematic areas. Applicants are therefore not expected to meet all criteria or cover all areas listed here.

• Master’s degree in Sustainability Science, Agricultural Economics, Environmental Economics, Innovation Studies, Governance, Sociology, Geography, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related field
• PhD desirable but not mandatory; applications from early-career researchers and postdoctoral candidates are welcome. The position may also offer opportunities for doctoral qualification
• Research experience in rural development, socio-economic development, innovation, or sustainability transitions; interdisciplinary backgrounds (e.g. behavioural economics, psychology, sociology) are an advantage
• Strong understanding of bioeconomy transformation processes, including socio-technical change and sustainability transitions
• Knowledge of innovation systems and ecosystems, as well as institutional, organizational, and governance frameworks for sustainability
• Experience with sustainable entrepreneurship, business model innovation, value-chain development, and business environment analysis
• Familiarity with science–policy–society interfaces, policy processes, and knowledge exchange mechanisms
• Experience with participatory, transdisciplinary research approaches, including living labs, co-creation, and stakeholder engagement
• Experience with qualitative and mixed-methods research, including socio-economic analysis and sustainability assessment
• Knowledge of environmental and natural resource economics is an advantage
• Strong motivation to work on the social dimensions of bioeconomy development, with a commitment to inclusive, equitable, and just sustainability transitions

Additional Competencies

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills with actors from science, policy, industry, and civil society
• Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary, international research teams
• Excellent written and spoken English; German language skills are an advantage
• Willingness to work in interdisciplinary and international research teams, including international travel and fieldwork in different countries
• Experience in research project proposal development is considered an advantage

• An attractive, research-intensive, and interdisciplinary working environment
• A varied position at the interface of science and practice
• Excellent infrastructure for scientific work
• Access to national and international networks for your scientific development,
• Training and further education opportunities
• Family-friendly working conditions to promote work-life balance
• Financial contribution to the VBB company ticket or Deutschlandticket
• A workplace at the edge of a picturesque landscape, easily accessible by bike or public transport.

The two positions (30-40 hours/week) are based in different research projects within the working group and are initially limited to 3 years. The salary will be based on your qualifications and experience according to TV-L up to pay grade 13.

For further information, please contact PD Dr. Philipp Grundmann (Phone: +49 331 5699-229) and visit our website at www.atb-potsdam.de.

Have we piqued your interest? Then apply by 15.07.2026 with your cover letter, CV (without photo), degrees, employment references and/or contact details of referees via our online application portal for this job posting reference number 2026-TA-2 at https://www.atb-potsdam.de/en/career/vacancies . Applications received after the application deadline cannot be considered. We look forward to your application!

Interviews will take place from 22 to 24 July 2026.

We are committed to equal opportunities. Applications from severely disabled candidates will be given preference if equally qualified.

By submitting your application, you agree that your documents may be stored for up to six months even in the case of an unsuccessful application. Further information on data protection can be found here:
https://www.atb-potsdam.de/en/data-protection-declaration-for-the-application-process