Job posting
 
The Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) is a pioneer and a driver of bioeconomy research. We create the scientific foundation to transform agricultural, food, industrial and energy systems into a sustainable bio-based circular economy. We develop and integrate techniques, processes and management strategies, effectively converging technologies to intelligently crosslink highly diverse bioeconomic production systems and to control them in a knowledge-based, adaptive and largely automated manner. We conduct research in dialogue with society, policymakers, industry and other stakeholders - knowledge-driven and application-inspired.
 
For our working group Digital Monitoring of Animal Welfare in the (Department Sensors and Modelling), subject to project approval and expected to be filled on 1st February 2026, we are looking for a
 
Scientest (m/f/d)
 
In the BLE project BreedyTrack (Innovative tracking system for dairy cows for the optimisation of genomic and phenotypic predictions for heat tolerance, health and milking robot suitability) you will be responsible for data collection and analysis within the project. The development and evaluation of a tracking system will take place in close cooperation with project partners. This will be used for the simultaneous recording of animal characteristics, relevant environmental gradients and other external data that are important for later breeding applications with regard to the improvement of functional trait complexes and for the assessment of stress levels (e.g. heat stress).

Your tasks

- Conducting scientific research on dairy farms
- Supervising, organising and analysing practical trials
- Data collection, analysis and technical application
- Preparation of scientific publications and project reports, as well as participation in conferences
- Support with organisational tasks (communication with project partners, planning of project meetings and events).

Your qualifications

- Successfully completed university degree (diploma/master's/state examination), preferably in agricultural sciences or veterinary medicine
- Very good knowledge of animal husbandry, data analysis and data management
- In-depth knowledge and experience in the fields of ethology, animal physiology, stress assessment or barn climate assessment are an advantage
- Confident use of MS Office programmes and of a statistics software (such as SAS, R, JMP)
- Confident command of written and spoken English
- Willingness to travel, class B driving licence
- Independent working, personal commitment, reliability, flexibility, teamwork and willingness to cooperate are required.

We offer

- The opportunity to pursue a doctorate/PhD (Biomedical Science)
- 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
- Participation in the VBB company ticket or Deutschlandticket
- Company-owned e-bikes and cars for business trips
- A workplace at the edge of a picturesque landscape, easily accessible by bike or public transport.
 
The position is part-time (75%) and limited to 5 years in line with the project duration. Remuneration is based on your qualifications and professional experience up to pay grade 13 TV-L tariff area East.
 
For further information, please contact** Dr. Gundula Hoffmann (Tel: 0331/ 5699-520, E-Mail: ghoffmann@atb-potsdam.de (https://mailto:ghoffmann@atb-potsdam.de) ) and visit our website at www.atb-potsdam.de (http://www.atb-potsdam.de) . Please apply online by 10th December 2025** via our application portal (reference number 2025-SM-1):
https://www.atb-potsdam.de/en/career/vacancies (https://www.atb-potsdam.de/en/career/vacancies) . Applications received after the application deadline cannot be considered.
 
Interviews will take place on 15th December 2025 in the afternoon.
 
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 (https://www.atb-potsdam.de/en/data-protection-declaration-for-the-application-process) .