Freiburg

Jobs in

Freiburg

in the area of planning & geography jobs

As a green city, Freiburg offers ideal career opportunities for geo-specialists in environmental protection, GIS and sustainable urban planning.

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Freiburg
Federal state:
Baden-Württemberg
Population:
230,000
Known for:
Green City, University of Freiburg, Black Forest
Economy:
environmental technology, solar industry, tourism
Quality of life:
High quality of life, sun & nature, bicycle city

Working and living in Freiburg

Working and living in Freiburg: Your career location for environment, planning and geodata

An overview of the city

Freiburg im Breisgau, the southernmost major city in Germany with around 230,000 inhabitants, is considered the environmental capital and solar city of Germany. Located at the foot of the Black Forest and close to France and Switzerland, Freiburg combines ecological awareness with joie de vivre, student flair with economic dynamism and Baden comfort with international flair. As home to the renowned Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, a pioneer in sustainability and as one of the sunniest cities in Germany, Freiburg impresses with its unique mix of environmental awareness, high quality of life and urban vibrancy. Freiburg stands out as a place of work with Albert-Ludwigs-University as a University of Excellence, the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and a green tech economy. Living in Freiburg means quality of life in the Black Forest, wine culture, a cycling city atmosphere and a city that lives sustainability. For professionals who want to combine a career in Freiburg with ecological awareness and a Baden lifestyle, the Breisgau metropolis is a first-class choice.

Labor market for environmental and planning occupations

The Freiburg job market offers outstanding prospects for specialists in the environmental, planning and geodata sectors. As an environmental and sustainability city par excellence, Freiburg City Planning is working on ambitious projects ranging from sustainable district development (Vauban, Rieselfeld, Dietenbach) to climate-friendly urban development and innovative mobility concepts. Freiburg is pursuing ambitious climate goals and focusing on renewable energy, sustainable public transport, bicycle traffic and the development of green infrastructure.

GIS Jobs Freiburg benefit from the modern geodata infrastructure: The Geodata Management Unit operates FreiGIS as the city's geoinformation platform with comprehensive geodata on urban and construction topics, land benchmarks, nature/environment and education/social issues. The Freiburg Geoportal offers interactive maps and GIS services. Environmental planners Freiburg find a wide range of tasks in the environmental capital of Germany, which combines ecology and economy in an exemplary manner. The city's Department of Environmental Planning (Landscape Ecology) is responsible for landscape planning and landscape ecological tasks.

Freiburg's particular strength lies in the green tech and environmental sector: The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE is the largest solar research institute in Europe. Green City Freiburg GmbH coordinates the environmental economy. Geodata jobs in Freiburg are created by the city, by engineering firms such as TABERG ISB, IBA Environmental Planning and numerous GIS service providers. Freiburg surveyors are in demand for projects in the growing city and region.

Vacancies in Spatial Planning Freiburg include positions at the city, at renowned planning offices such as faktorgrün and ö:konzept, and at the university. Geoinformatics Freiburg is in an excellent position: The Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg offers excellent research and teaching with the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, the Institute of Environmental Social Sciences and Geography. The unique combination of University of Excellence, green tech clusters, environmental awareness and Black Forest quality of life makes Freiburg one of the most attractive locations for environmental and planning professionals.

Freiburg is one of the most livable cities in Germany

Quality of life and infrastructure

Working in Freiburg means living in one of the most livable cities in Germany with the highest level of environmental awareness. The cost of living is in the upper range, and rental prices in particular are high. High demand from students, tourists and immigrants is driving prices. Living in Freiburg offers a wide range of options: From central districts such as the Altstadt and Wiehre to the eco-districts of Vauban and Rieselfeld to suburbs in the Black Forest, the city offers attractive but expensive residential areas. The housing market is very tight.

The transport connections are good: Freiburg is on important rail lines to Basel, Karlsruhe and Offenburg. Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport (EuroAirport) is 60 km away. The location in the border triangle of Germany-France-Switzerland enables fast connections. The light rail network is well developed. Freiburg is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in Germany with excellent infrastructure for cyclists. Freiburg's work-life balance benefits enormously from the location: The Black Forest right on the doorstep, vineyards, the Schlossberg, numerous parks and the Dreisam offer top-level relaxation. With over 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, Freiburg is the sunniest city in Germany.

Freiburg is culturally lively: The historic cathedral, the Bächle in the old town, Freiburg Theatre, Philharmonic Orchestra, museums, a lively bar scene and student life characterize the city. Baden's wine culture, wine taverns and proximity to France create a special flair. For families, Freiburg offers good schools, international educational institutions and a family-friendly, ecologically oriented environment. Alsace, Vosges, Lake Constance and Switzerland are right on the doorstep.

career prospects

Freiburg's job opportunities for environmental, planning and geospatial professionals are among the best in Germany. Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg is a university of excellence (5th place nationally in the Shanghai ranking 2024) and offers first-class research and teaching with its Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources. The Institute of Environmental Social Sciences and Geography researches human-environment systems, global change, climate change, land use and sustainable development. The Geography of Global Change (Master) degree program focuses on human geographical society-environmental research.

The Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the Institute of Forest Sciences and other institutes complement the offer. The faculty is one of the top international addresses for research and teaching on human-environment systems. This excellence creates a unique environment for the career of environmental engineer Freiburg and provides access to cutting-edge research.

Vacancies in Spatial Planning Freiburg will continue to increase as Freiburg is continuously growing (new district of Dietenbach) and expanding its role as an environmental capital. Fraunhofer ISE, the green tech clusters and numerous environmental start-ups offer additional career opportunities. For qualified specialists, Freiburg is therefore not only Germany's environmental capital, but also a location of scientific excellence, ecological awareness and a unique quality of life in the Black Forest.

Top employers in Freiburg

Leading employer for environmental, planning and geospatial occupations in Freiburg

Freiburg offers a unique employer landscape for specialists in the environmental, planning and geodata sectors. The environmental capital combines city administration, Albert-Ludwigs-University as a University of Excellence, Fraunhofer ISE, innovative companies Freiburg and specialized planning offices to form a green tech ecosystem. The exceptional concentration of employer Freiburg in the areas of sustainability, environmental research and solar energy as well as the strong demand for environmental jobs Freiburg and GIS companies Freiburg make the Breisgau metropolis a top location for specialists in these industries.

Public employers and authorities

City of Freiburg — City Planning Office
The City Planning Office is shaping the future of Germany's environmental capital. The challenges include sustainable urban development, district development (currently a new district of Dietenbach), climate-friendly planning and the integration of green infrastructure. City planners, spatial planners, architects and urban developers are working on model projects such as the eco-districts of Vauban and Rieselfeld. Freiburg Jobs City Council offers career opportunities in the showcase city for sustainability.

City of Freiburg — Geodata Management Unit/FreiGIS
The Geodata Management Unit operates FreiGIS as a geoinformation platform for the City of Freiburg. FreiGIS provides comprehensive geodata on urban and construction topics, land benchmarks, nature/environment and education/social issues. The staff unit implements the INSPIRE Directive and builds up the geodata infrastructure. Surveyors, geodesists, geoinformatics specialists, GIS developers and cartographers work here on modern geodata infrastructure. The Freiburg Surveying Office offers secure career opportunities.

City of Freiburg — Environmental Planning (Landscape Ecology)
The Department of Environmental Planning (Landscape Ecology) is responsible for landscape planning and landscape ecological tasks. Environmental planners, landscape planners, biologists and landscape ecologists work on environmental impact assessments, green order plans and nature conservation issues. The environmental agency of the environmental capital is actively shaping the ecological transformation.

Freiburg Regional Council
The Freiburg Regional Council is the state authority for South Baden and is responsible for regional planning, environmental protection, water management, nature conservation and transport. Spatial planners, environmental engineers, hydraulic engineers and administrative lawyers process approval procedures and planning approvals. The authority offers secure career prospects in the public sector in Baden-Württemberg.

Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald District — BürgerGIS
The district of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald operates BürgerGIS with geospatial data on the environment (protected areas, biotopes), construction and education. The district offers career opportunities in environmental protection, nature conservation and geodata for the region.

Private companies and research institutions

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg is the largest solar research institute in Europe and a world leader in photovoltaic and solar technology research. The institute employs over 1,300 people and researches photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, energy efficiency, hydrogen technologies, building technology and power grids. Energy engineers, environmental engineers, physicists, electrical engineers, materials scientists and sustainability researchers are working on cutting-edge research for the energy revolution. Fraunhofer ISE offers excellent career opportunities in applied research with social relevance and is the figurehead of Freiburg's Green City.

faktorgrün — landscape architects bdla and consulting engineers
faktorgrün is one of the leading landscape architecture and landscape planning offices in southern Germany with headquarters in Freiburg and locations in Rottweil, Stuttgart, Heidelberg and Speyer. The office was founded in 1983 and employs an interdisciplinary team. The services include landscape planning, open space planning, environmental planning, climate adaptation, urban planning and environmental assessments. Landscape architects, landscape planners, environmental planners, urban planners, biologists and climate adaptation experts are working on demanding projects such as the new Dietenbach district in Freiburg. faktorgrün is one of Baden-Württemberg's most renowned planning offices.

oe:konzept GmbH
oe:konzept is a planning office for environmental planning, landscape planning and ecology based in Freiburg. The office prepares environmental impact assessments, landscape conservation accompanying plans, FFH impact assessments, species protection reports and provides ecological support for infrastructure projects. Environmental planners, landscape planners, biologists and environmental experts Freiburg are working on a wide range of projects in South Baden. The office offers combined expertise for the analysis and evaluation of all protected assets.

IBA Environmental Planning
IBA Umweltplanung is a planning office near Freiburg (Ihringen am Kaiserstuhl) for environmental planning, nature conservation, species protection, soil protection and landscape planning. The office has supervised over 25 wind farm projects with over 150 wind turbines in southern Germany and prepares landscape conservation accompanying plans, Natura 2000 impact assessments, soil protection concepts and species protection reports. Environmental planners, biologists, soil protection experts and landscape planners work on renewable energy and environmental protection using the latest GIS technology.

TABERG Engineering and Expert Office GmbH & Co. KG
TABERG ISB is a planning and consulting company based in Freiburg. The company offers planning and consulting in the range of geoscientific and engineering services as well as expert services for large companies, medium-sized companies and public authorities. Geoscientists, engineers, environmental planners and experts work on a wide range of projects.

badenova AG & Co. KG
badenova is the regional energy and environmental service provider for South Baden based in Freiburg. The company supplies the region with electricity, gas, heat and water and invests heavily in renewable energy. Energy engineers, environmental engineers, sustainability experts and project managers are working on the energy revolution in the Green City. badenova is an attractive employer with regional responsibility.

Research and education

Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg — Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources
The Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources is one of the top international addresses for research and teaching on human-environment systems. The focus is on natural resources (use, protection, security), global change (climate change, ecosystems, land use) and sustainable development. The faculty comprises the Department of Environmental Social Sciences and Geography, the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and the Department of Forest Sciences.

Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg — Institute of Environmental Social Sciences and Geography
The institute combines ecological and sociological approaches and methods. Geography is particularly suitable for studying current trends such as global change, process dynamics and social changes. Research focuses on spatial disparities, environmental degradation, and space-related conflicts. Geographers, environmental scientists, climate researchers and social scientists are working on research on climate change, urban development and sustainability. The University of Freiburg offers academic positions with access to excellence research. A W3 professorship in Geography of Global Change is currently being filled.

Fraunhofer ISE (see above)
Fraunhofer ISE not only offers applied research, but also doctoral opportunities, postdoctoral positions and scientific career paths in solar research and energy transition.

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