PhD student positions for the Collaborative Research Center CRC-TRR 228
Published on: 22.12.2025
The University of Bonn is an international research university with a wide education and research profile. With a 200-year history, approximately 31,500 students, more than 6,000 staff, and an excellent reputation at home and abroad, the University of Bonn is one of the most important universities in Germany and is recognized as a university of excellence.
The Collaborative Research Center CRC-TRR 228 (“Future Rural Africa: Future-making and social-ecological transformation”) brings together expertise from the two Universities of Bonn and Cologne to study newly emerging issues of social-ecological transformation and future-making in Africa (https://crc-trr228.de). Project B05 (“Science Futures: The role of science-policy interfaces in co-producing rural futures“) invites applications for a fixed-term doctoral researcher position from 01.04.2026 to 31.12.2029. The position is based within science studies team (Prof. Dr. David Kaldewey) at the Institute of Sociology.
PhD student position (TV-L 13, 70%)
Department of Political Studies and Sociology
Deadline:
18 January 2026
Reference number:
2025/286
Working time model:
part time
Starting date:
April 1, 2026
Duration:
fixed term
Pay grade:
TV-L EG 13
Applications to:
Your tasks
- contribute to the “Science Futures” subproject, which examines the role of science in shaping and informing decisions about the futures of rural Africa. The empirical focus is on science-policy interfaces (SPIs) in the three domains of agriculture, infrastructure, and education,
- conduct fieldwork in Kenya and Tanzania,
- collaborate closely with project partners in Bonn, Cologne, and various institutions in Kenya and Tanzania,
- develop and complete an indepdent PhD project within the project duration.
We offer
- collaboration with a motivated and team-oriented research group,
- access to all necessary resources, including funds for field work,
- the opportunity to complete a doctoral degree,
- extensive training, supervision, and academic support,
- many options available for university sports in Bonn,
- excellent access by public transport thanks to Bonn’s central location,
- Remuneration in accordance with TV-L pay grade 13.
Your profile
- an outstanding Master degree in Sociology, Political Science, Higher Education Research, Science and Technology Studies, or a related discipline,
- experience with qualitative social research methods,
- strong interest in the university landscapes of Kenya and Tanzania,
- excellent English skills, additional languages (e.g., Swahili) are an asset,
- strong writing and presentation skills.
Diversity and equal opportunity
The University of Bonn is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. It is certified as a family-friendly university. It aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where women are under-represented and to promote their careers in particular. It therefore strongly encourages women with relevant qualifications to apply. Applications will be handled in accordance with the Landesgleichstellungsgesetz (State Equality Act). Applications from suitable individuals with a certified serious disability and those of equal status are particularly welcome.
