Research Associate position in the project “Sphagnum paludiculture as a sustainable agricultural use of raised bog soils (MOOSland).”

The Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology , Moorland Research Group and Experimental Plant Ecology Group of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Greifswald, is seeking to fill a part-time position (50%) from July 1st, 2026, until March 31st, 2027 , subject to funding approval.

research assistant

The position is to be filled. There is an option to extend the contract for at least 3 years. Remuneration is based on pay grade 13 TV-L Wissenschaft (Collective Agreement for Public Service Employees in the German States). 

The position is located within the project “Sphagnum paludiculture as a sustainable agricultural use of raised bog soils (MOOSland).” MOOSland is a model and demonstration project (MuD) by the University of Greifswald and seven partners from Lower Saxony, funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management (BMLEH). Over its ten-year duration, the project will investigate, using two pilot areas for sphagnum paludiculture – (a) Hankhauser Moor/Ammerland district, (b) Barver Moor/Diepholz district – how the cultivation and utilization of sphagnum moss biomass can be implemented on a large scale. Sphagnum paludiculture combines the rewetting of raised bog soils with the continuation of productive agricultural use and the production of a high-quality, renewable substrate raw material for professional horticulture. Furthermore, MOOSland is part of the PaludiNetz project network, which facilitates a nationwide exchange on the conversion to the management of wet peatlands (paludiculture) as well as on ecological and socio-economic accompanying studies.

We offer you a challenging, diverse, and interesting position in a transdisciplinary, forward-looking research project. At the University of Greifswald, a partner in the Greifswald Moor Centre, you can expect a dynamic working environment with ample opportunity for initiative.

Job tasks:

• Support for the project consortium management
• Administrative coordination of the joint project, including the organization of regular project meetings and coordination of reporting.
• Preparation of scientific findings for knowledge transfer, networking, stakeholder management, public relations
• Professional planning and execution of thematic events
• Supervision of interns, supervision of theses
• Participation in the scientific monitoring of field trials, scientific analysis and publication, including data management.

Hiring requirements:

• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Completed university degree (Diploma or Master’s) in a relevant field, especially in landscape ecology, geosciences, agricultural sciences, or environmental sciences
• Excellent knowledge of German and English
• Independent work with a hands-on mentality, team spirit, helpfulness and reliability

Desired:

• Experience in coordinating large research groups
• Experience in the administrative handling of third-party funded projects
• Experience in public relations and knowledge transfer
• Botanical knowledge
• Experience in data management

This job posting is open to all persons regardless of gender. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference if equally qualified.

According to § 68 para. 3 PersVG MV, the participation of the staff council in personnel matters of the scientific/artistic staff only takes place upon request. 

Unfortunately, the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern cannot reimburse any costs you incur as part of the application process.

Please note that submitting your application constitutes your consent under data protection law to the processing of your application data by us. Further details regarding the legal basis and data usage can be found  here .

Applications with the usual documents should preferably be sent by email (one PDF file) quoting job posting number 26/Wi10 by June 24, 2026 to:

University of Greifswald,
Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology,
Dr. Greta Gaudig,
Soldmannstr. 15,
17489 Greifswald

gaudig@uni-greifswald.de