Founded in 1607, Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) is a research university rich in tradition. Inspired by curiosity about the unknown, we enable around 25,000 students and 5,800 employees to advance science for society. Join us in breaking new ground and writing success stories - your own and those of our university.
Support us from in part-time (65 %) as a
Research Assistant (m/f/d)
in the field of soil-plant-interactions
The position is to be filled in the project "I-CRO-LIVE – Enhancing the potentials of underutilized local taurine breeds in integrated crop-livestock systems to improve resource efficiency, environmental impact and nutrition security in Benin", funded by third parties (BMLEH) and is limited for the duration of three years at the Chair of Organic Farming, Institute of Plant Production and Plant Breeding II, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding II at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ecotrophology and Environmental Management. If the requirements of the salary scale are met, remuneration will be paid in accordance with the collective labour agreement of the State of Hessen (E 13 TV-H).
I-CRO-LIVE addresses the evaluation and implementation of integrated crop-livestock-systems of local cattle breeds in Benin. The project aims to increase the resilience of the production system to environmental, e.g., climate change induced impact while maintaining or improving food security through qualitatively and quantitatively enhanced food production. In total, three positions are vacant at JLU Giessen.
The scientific work related to this sub-project includes the analysis and evaluation of nutrient fluxes in the plant-soil system on the smallholders' farms. Therefore, agronomic assessments and soil, plant and manure analysis will be conducted. A close cooperation with the project partners at JLU and at the Beninense Universities is expected. This will include also supporting project partners data collection.
Your tasks at a glance
* Collection of soil, plants and dung samples on the small-scale farms in Benin, and analysis in the laboratories of the partners in Benin or Germany
* Analysis and assessing nutrient circulation and environmental impact in the crop-grassland-animal systems of the small-scale farms in Benin according to collected data
* Close collaboration with the project partners of JU and the Beninese Universities
* Supporting household surveys
* Supporting hydrological sampling
* Publication of research results in international, peer-reviewed journals
* There is an opportunity to do a doctorate
The opportunity to pursue a doctorate is available alongside work on the project.
Your qualifications and competences
* Completed university degree (MSc or diploma) in agricultural, environmental or life sciences
* Knowledge of soil sciences and soil – plant interactions
* Good insights into practical agriculture including in-depth knowledge of soil, animal, plant and environmental sciences
* Ability to work in a team and communication skills
* Very good oral and written presentation skills in English
* Basic skills to communicate in French
* The willingness to spend several Month in a row (up to 3 months) for data collection in the study regions in Benin, Western Africa, and to do sampling under extreme (sub-) tropical conditions
Our offer to you
* A varied job with flexible working hours
* Free use of local public transport (LandesTicket Hessen)
* More than 100 seminars, workshops and e-learning opportunities per year for personal development, as well as a wide range of health and sports programmes
* Remuneration according to TV-H, company pension scheme, child allowance and special payments
* Good compatibility of family and career (certificate "Audit familiengerechte Hochschule")
JLU welcomes qualified applications regardless of biological and social gender, disability, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, age as well as sexual orientation and identity. The JLU aims for a higher proportion of women in accordance with the women's promotion plan. We therefore particularly encourage qualified female candidates to apply. JLU is certified as a family-friendly university. Applications from disabled people of equal aptitude will be given preference.
You want to break new ground with us?
Apply via our online formby October 14th, 2025, indicating reference number 474/09. We look forward to receiving your application.
Back
Work Location: In person