Head of 'Biodiversity and Agricultural Landscape' Research Group 100%
good food, healthy environment
Biodiversity, the protection of this resource as well as its utilisation and promotion to maintain long-term agricultural production is a core topic of the strategic research division agroecology and the environment at agroscope. The effects of multiple stressors (management, climate change, invasive species, etc.) on biodiversity and its functions in the agricultural landscape require focused research in order to identify solutions for sustainable land use.
The research focuses on: 1) The development of measures to promote biodiversity and its utilisation, 2) An up-to-date inventory of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape, 3) Biodiversity conservation. The basis for this is the development of methods that simplify the evaluation of biodiversity as well as the further development of concepts and indicators for the recording of biodiversity, and the scientific support of research and implementation projects in the field of research in relation to sustainable agri-food production today and in the future.
The expansion of current research activities (e.g. in depth knowledge on above-ground biodiversity) is also to be promoted in collaboration with other research groups towards the soil continuum. As part of a succession plan, we are therefore looking for a new biodiversity expert who will contribute with commitment and scientific expertise to the successful work of the Agricultural Landscape and Biodiversity research group and systems research within the strategic research area and across divisions."
Biodiversity, the protection of this resource as well as its utilisation and promotion to maintain long-term agricultural production is a core topic of the strategic research division agroecology and the environment at agroscope. The effects of multiple stressors (management, climate change, invasive species, etc.) on biodiversity and its functions in the agricultural landscape require focused research in order to identify solutions for sustainable land use.
The research focuses on: 1) The development of measures to promote biodiversity and its utilisation, 2) An up-to-date inventory of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape, 3) Biodiversity conservation. The basis for this is the development of methods that simplify the evaluation of biodiversity as well as the further development of concepts and indicators for the recording of biodiversity, and the scientific support of research and implementation projects in the field of research in relation to sustainable agri-food production today and in the future.
The expansion of current research activities (e.g. in depth knowledge on above-ground biodiversity) is also to be promoted in collaboration with other research groups towards the soil continuum. As part of a succession plan, we are therefore looking for a new biodiversity expert who will contribute with commitment and scientific expertise to the successful work of the Agricultural Landscape and Biodiversity research group and systems research within the strategic research area and across divisions."
Head of 'Biodiversity and Agricultural Landscape' Research Group
Your tasks
- Leading the 'Agricultural Landscape and Biodiversity' Research Group
- Research and evaluation in the following areas: Protection and promotion of biodiversity in the landscape; Evaluation of ecological measures and monitoring of biodiversity; landscape evaluation and development; Databases for biodiversity
- Coordinating a research call in the Work Programme
- Knowledge transfer (participation on committees at Agroscope, exchange with the relevant Swiss federal agencies, mentoring of young scientists)
Your profile
- Completed dissertation in the field of ecology, environmental systems sciences, agricultural sciences or a similar discipline
- Enthusiasm for strategic research planning and for developing research projects. Joined-up-thinking skills between agricultural research areas
- Several years' professional and leadership experience in the subject area. Strong leadership skills, team-oriented, communicative, goal- and results-oriented, creative personality
- Demonstrable experience in the acquisition of third-party funding
- Knowledge of two official Swiss languages and a very good command of written and spoken English
Additional information
If this challenge appeals to you, we look forward to receiving your online application (English is not an official Swiss language, please choose German, French or Italian as correspondence language).
For further information, please contact Dr. Lutz Merbold, Head of the 'Agroecology and Environment' Research Division, Tel. +41 76 231 04 80.
Start date: 1st Jan 2025 or to be agreed. This is a permanent post..
About us
The 'Agroecology and Environment' Research Division investigates the effects of agriculture on the environmental dimensions of climate, air, soil, biodiversity, nutrient cycles and water. Based on the principles of agroecology and using real-world data, we develop solutions for a sustainable agricultural sector. The interconnectedness of the disciplines is essential here for identifying synergies and trade-offs."
Agroscope is the Swiss federal centre of excellence for research in the agriculture and food sector. Its researchers work at a number of sites in Switzerland. Headquartered in Bern-Liebefeld (as of 2026: Posieux), Agroscope is attached to the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER.
We offer you a varied job in an interesting work environment as well as thorough training and a modern research infrastructure. Flexible working hours and good employee benefits are additional perks of the job.
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