Junior Professorship “Regenerative Land Systems” (W1)

School and the Leuphana Professional School.

The School of Sustainability at Leuphana University of Lüneburg invites applications for the following junior professorship:

Regenerative Land Systems (W1)

The School of Sustainability at Leuphana University of Lüneburg invites applications for a junior professorship (W1) in “Regenerative Land Systems”. We are seeking an outstanding early-career researcher with a clear interest in terrestrial ecosystems, their use, functionality, and regeneration in the context of a sustainability transformation. The professorship extends existing sustainability approaches by positioning ongoing improvement—not merely the restoration—of system functions through positive feedback loops as a core objective. Suitable candidates may come from disciplines such as environmental sciences, geoecology, physical geography, or agricultural sciences, and possess a strong natural science background related to biophysical and biochemical fundamentals. Ideally, they have experience in inter- or transdisciplinary research that integrates ecological, societal, and technological dimensions, and can situate their work within an international research context. 

The position focuses on the functional relationships within land and resource systems, including the analysis of above- and belowground material and energy flows, with the aim of developing and scientifically supporting regenerative approaches for sustainable land use. Candidates are expected to independently build a research profile closely linked to the Institute for Ecology and the Social-Ecological Systems Institute, while also fostering interfaces with the concurrently advertised junior professorship in “Technology and Regenerative Sustainability”. The position is particularly suitable for early-career researchers who wish to combine biophysical and ecological system understandings with transformation-oriented research with partners inside and outside academia and ideally have first experience in this perspective.

You are expected to have initial research experience in relevant fields, as demonstrated by either a relevant doctoral degree and/or initial relevant publications, as well as a promising research program in the fields of this junior professorship. Ideally you bring – as far as possible – initial experience in submitting research proposal applications (e.g. through independent acquisition of grants, collaboration on larger applications, experience with the handling of third-party funded projects, first own successful third-party funding acquisitions) that indicate a successful approach to acquisition of third-party funding as well as supporting the development of a viable third-party funding strategy during the junior professorship. International applications and applications from adjacent natural science or interdisciplinary backgrounds are explicitly encouraged to apply. 

In teaching, the professorship contributes to biophysical-biochemical foundations of terrestrial ecosystems, provides analytical training, and supports practical exercises. The teaching load is 4 course hours per week (LVS), with an emphasis on providing strategic input to study programs rather than comprehensive course coverage. You can document first teaching experiences in the field of this junior professorship at the B. Sc. level and ideally also at the M.Sc. level and offer high-quality, innovative teaching. Ideally you have supervised theses at B. Sc. and M.Sc. levels and you also have some experience in co-supervising Ph.D. students. 

As most of our courses at the B.Sc. and M.Sc. level are taught in English, we expect an excellent command of written and spoken English. If you do not speak German, you are willing to learn it within a reasonable period.

According to § 30 NHG, formal requirements are a university degree and a doctoral degree in a discipline relevant to the open position (e.g. environmental sciences, geoecology, physical geography, or agricultural sciences), your aptitude for teaching, and your ability to engage in independent academic research as demonstrated by the outstanding quality of your dissertation. 

The junior professorship will be filled in accordance with pay grade W1 and is initially limited to a period of three years. The position will be extended for an additional three years, subject to a positive academic evaluation (in accordance with the guidelines for the mid-term evaluation of junior professors of Leuphana University of Lüneburg).

At Leuphana, you will find an academic community that is open to changes in perspective and cultivates the dialogue among the different disciplines as well as between research and practice. With spirit and initiative, we address the challenges of civil society in the 21st century. Pursuing our idea of liberal education, we enable our students to think, reflect and act upon it. Our professors foster the awareness of gender and diversity aspects in teaching and research.

Leuphana University is an equal opportunities employer. The university aims to increase its number of female professors. Qualified women are especially invited to apply. Severely disabled applicants and applicants with equivalent status will be considered preferentially in accordance with the applicable legal provisions.

For further information, please contact the Dean of the School of Sustainability, Prof. Dr. Sylvia Haider (sylvia.haider@leuphana.de).

Please submit your application (without submission of an application photo) consisting of the following materials in two separate PDF files: a) motivation letter, CV, full publication list, copies of academic degrees and b) three relevant publications. Please enclose the completed application form (as Excel file) with your documents. Guidance on the required application materials can be found here.

Applications should be sent preferably via email using the keyword “Regenerative Land Systems” (W1) to beko@leuphana.de or to the President of Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Post Box 2440, Lüneburg D-21314 by December 09, 2026. Please be aware that we cannot return application documents sent physically.

By submitting your application, you consent to your data being stored and processed for the purpose of the recruitment process. 

Please note our Data Protection Notice for Applicants (in English or in German).

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