PhD student positions for the Collaborative Research Center CRC-TRR 228

The University of Bonn is an international research university offering a broad range of subjects. With a 200-year history, some 31,500 students, more than 6,000 employees and an outstanding reputation in Germany and abroad, the University of Bonn is one of the leading universities in Germany and has been awarded the status of 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%)

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.

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.

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.

The University of Bonn is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. It is certified as a family-friendly university. The University of Bonn seeks to increase female representation in staffing areas where women are underrepresented and provide special career support. It thus expressly encourages qualified women to apply. Applications will be handled in accordance with the NRW State Gender Equality Act (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz, LGG NRW). Applications from qualified candidates with a certified severe disability or from those of equal status are especially welcome.

We look forward to receiving your complete application quoting reference 2025/286 in one PDF-file, including a 1-page cover letter, CV, Master’s diploma (or if not yet available: latest transcript of your grades), and an example of your writing (a paper, a thesis, work-in-progress), via email to Prof. Dr. David Kaldewey (kaldewey@uni-bonn.de). The deadline for applications is 18 January 2026.