Professorship in Co‑Developed Ecological Vegetable Cultivation, University of Kassel, Germany

Summary

The University of Kassel, together with the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), is recruiting a W2 professorship in Co‑Developed Ecological Vegetable Cultivation. The role combines leadership of a research group within ZALF’s Innovation Center for Agricultural System Transformation, experimental and on‑farm research on sustainable, climate‑resilient vegetable systems, and teaching two hours per semester week in ecological vegetable cultivation for bachelor and master programmes. Candidates must hold a doctorate and habilitation or equivalent, have an internationally recognised scientific profile, strong publication record, and experience in third‑party funding. The position is funded by the Leibniz Centre, requires proficiency in German and English, and offers family‑friendly services and support for dual‑career and disabled applicants.

Key Facts

Employer	University of Kassel
Department	Department of Ecological Agricultural Sciences
Position Type	Professorship
Discipline	Ecological Vegetable Production
Research Area	Co‑Developed Ecological Vegetable Cultivation
Degree Required	Doctorate (PhD) and habilitation or equivalent
Funding	Funded by the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research
Language	German and English
Deadline	2026-11-30
Required Documents	Curriculum vitae, Publication list, Proof of teaching experience and teaching evaluations, Evidence of third‑party funding acquisition and/or execution, Method‑oriented research concept (max 3 pages) for co‑developed vegetable cultivation, Copies of certificates and documents
Employer Contact	Prof. Dr. Backes, Uni Kassel (gunter.backes(at)uni-kassel.de)
Employer Address	Mönchebergstraße 19, 34125 (headquarters); 34109 (postal address), Hesse

About the Project

The professorship aims to advance sustainable intensification of organic agriculture by co‑developing experimental vegetable production systems that are climate‑resilient and productive. Research will focus on adapting process engineering, integrating vegetable and arable crops, designing diversified crop rotations, optimizing soil work, fertilisation, water management, pest and disease control, and improving genetic resources. Work will be carried out in controlled research‑station trials and on‑farm experiments, employing a trans‑disciplinary approach with farmers and other stakeholders, and will analyse production chains from community‑supported agriculture to large‑scale and urban systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a research group at ZALF within the Innovation Center for Agricultural System Transformation
• Conduct experimental research and co‑development of climate‑resilient, sustainable vegetable cultivation systems
• Perform controlled experiments at the research station and on‑farm trials
• Develop and evaluate crop rotation, soil management, fertilisation, water management, pest, disease and weed control
• Integrate vegetable cultivation with arable farming, viticulture, energy production and other systems
• Analyse production systems across value chains from CSA to large‑scale and urban agriculture
• Teach two hours per semester week in ecological vegetable cultivation for bachelor and master programmes
• Participate in university self‑administration and departmental duties

Required Skills

• Internationally excellent scientific profile in vegetable cultivation
• Experience in acquiring and managing third‑party research funding
• Publications in leading peer‑reviewed journals on relevant topics
• Didactic competence and teaching experience in German and English
• Experience in trans‑ and interdisciplinary cooperation with non‑academic partners
• Interest in research questions related to ecological agriculture

Who Should Apply

Applicants should have a completed PhD and habilitation or comparable achievements in vegetable cultivation, an internationally excellent research record with publications in leading journals, proven ability to acquire and manage third‑party research funds, didactic competence with teaching experience in German and English, and experience in trans‑disciplinary collaboration with farmers and non‑academic partners. The university encourages applications from women and candidates with disabilities.

Benefits

• Family‑friendly university environment
• Dual‑career service support
• Targeted measures to increase female representation in research and teaching
• Preferential consideration for severely disabled applicants

About the Employer

The University of Kassel is a dynamic institution with about 21,000 students, covering natural sciences, technology, culture and society. The professorship is situated in the Department of Ecological Agricultural Sciences at the ZALF site in Witzenhausen and is linked to the newly founded Innovation Center for Agricultural System Transformation, a permanent expansion of ZALF with five real‑laboratories across Germany.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

30 November 2026

How many teaching hours per week are required?

Two hours per semester week

Where is the position located?

Witzenhausen, at the ZALF site of the University of Kassel

Who can be contacted for further information?

Prof. Dr. Backes at gunter.backes(at)uni-kassel.de