## The UFZ

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our natural resources.

## The job

UFZ is the lead institution of the eLTER ESFRI process, aiming at the establishment of the Integrated European Long-Term Ecosystem, critical zone and socio-ecological Research Infrastructure (eLTER RI, eLTER-RI.eu) in the context of the high-level strategic platform for the development of priority European RIs (European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures, ESFRI, https://www.esfri.eu/). The UFZ campus in Leipzig hosts the eLTER Head Office, which coordinates related eLTER projects and activities in close collaboration with University Helsinki.

165 scientific institutions in 28 countries collaborate towards the goal to formalise a pan-European distributed research infrastructure consisting of >250 highly instrumented ecosystem research sites as an European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC), an infrastructure-focused limited liability company with countries as shareholders.

Thereby, multi-layered and highly complex processes are to be handled for the elicitation of the needs of diverse user groups, specification and coordination with the community and between the partner countries. The results of these processes have to be fed into the negotiations with the funding stakeholders (usually ministries of science).

## Your tasks

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated team player with experience in project or science management, organisational and communication skills and the readiness for long-term commitment. This call is part of the humarn resources development for the emerging eLTER ERIC Head Office which will permantely operate and mange the eLTER ERIC ([elter-ri.eu](https://elter-ri.eu/)). The successful candidates are expected to cover the following topics:
Project management and liaison:

- Project engagement, management and liaison for UFZ as beneficiary in eLTER related scientific and strategic projects
- Engagement in work packages and tasks with eLTER engagements & representing the emerging eLTER RI
- Technical beneficiary reports to coordinating institutions and/or the European Commission
- Contribute to grant proposal writing

Assist the eLTER Head Office within UFZ and internationally:

- Support the eLTER overall coordination in related high-level activities
- Communication between eLTER Head Office and a wide range of stakeholders (eLTER project consortia, country networks incl. their coordinators)
- Promote eLTER in relevant conferences, meetings, and networking events
- Support the creation of information material for different stakeholder groups

Strategic eLTER ESFRI process:

- Support of the eLTER ESFRI process (co-coordination of the process with national delegations and shareholders towards the eLTER ERIC establishment)
- Communication with high-level representatives from >20 partner countries, science academies and research institutions from all over Europe

## We offer

- The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application
- The chance to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a variety of perspectives
- Firstclass integration into national and international research networks to work together on global challenges
- Excellent research infrastructure and research data management to optimally support your work
- Flexible working hours and a wide range of options for balancing work and care responsibilities through our family office
- Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the 'International Office'
- Special annual payment, capital-forming benefits and subsidised Germany Job Ticket
- A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity

## Your profile

- Master’s degree in natural, social or political sciences (PhD is an asset but not mandatory)
- Experience in project or science management
- Excellent organisational skills
- Excellent communication skills in English
- Experience with MS Office and cloud solutions for collaborative work
- Experience with grant proposal writing is an asset
- Motivation to work in an international and interdisciplinary team
- Experience in the domain of long-term environmental research and/or monitoring would be highly welcome (not mandatory)

## Place of work

Leipzig, mobile working partially possible

## Working time

fulltime position (100%, 39h/week)

The job position is available for full-time or part-time employment.

## Contract limitations

limited contract / March 31, 2028 (subject to the approval of third-party funding)

## Salary

Remuneration according to the TVöD public-sector up to pay grade 13 including attractive public-sector social security benefits.

## Contact

**Your contact for any questions you may have about the job:**
Dr. Ulf Mallast
ulf.mallast@ufz.de

Dr. Michael Mirtl
michael.mirtl@ufz.de

## Your application

Please submit your application via our online portal with your cover letter, CV (please omit your **photo**, age, or marital status) and relevant attachments.

**Application deadline: **02.02.2026

## Diversity and Inclusion

The UFZ has a strong commitment to **diversity** and actively supports **equal opportunities** for all employees regardless of their origin, religion, ideology, disability, age or sexual identity.
We look forward to applications from people who are open-minded and enjoy working in diverse teams.