About this opportunity
The University of Bonn and Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences are welcoming applications for ten fully funded doctoral positions under the DFG Research Training Group "Urban Future: managing transformations for a better health in blue cities". The programme looks at how cities built along rivers and coastlines can grow in ways that improve public health, ecological sustainability and social fairness.
Successful candidates start in April 2027 on a four-year doctoral support contract paid at TV-L pay grade 13 (65%) under the German public-sector salary scale, with funding for fieldwork and travel on top. You are employed at either the University of Bonn or Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, and you propose your own research site in any blue city in the world.
The work sits across four research themes: urban health resilience, urban disease ecology, governance and institutional change, and adaptive urban ecosystems. Each theme connects to four research tracks covering land-use systems and food, political economy and water futures, climate and infectious diseases, and decision environments, policy and evaluation. The programme is deliberately interdisciplinary, so applicants from public health, economics, geography, ecology, engineering, social sciences, data fields and development studies all find a home.
This is a strong fit for African graduates and early-career researchers. The network holds partner institutions in Ghana, Togo and Cameroon alongside Brazil and Japan, the research focus leans heavily toward the Global South, and the call states plainly that it is not restricted to German or European applicants.
What you receive
- Ten fully funded doctoral positions on a four-year support contract
- Pay at TV-L grade 13 (65%) under the German public-sector salary scale
- Funding for fieldwork and travel connected to your research
- Structured training: seminars, systems thinking, transdisciplinary research methods and professional development
- Interdisciplinary supervision across natural sciences, health sciences, economics, governance and urban studies
- An international research network with partners in Ghana, Togo, Cameroon, Brazil and Japan
- Freedom to propose research sites in any blue city in the world
Who can apply
- A completed Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline such as health sciences, public health, ecology, climate and earth sciences, economics, geography, urban and regional studies, engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, social sciences or development studies
- A proposed doctoral research topic aligned with one of the four research themes: urban health resilience, urban disease ecology, governance and institutional change, or adaptive urban ecosystems
- Evidence of English at B2 level on the CEFR scale, or an equivalent qualification such as TOEFL
- A strong interdisciplinary mindset and a clear interest in urban transformation and the water-health connection
- Open to applicants of any nationality. The call is not restricted to German or European candidates and keeps a strong focus on the Global South
Who should not apply
- Applications without a complete set of the required documents will not be considered
- Candidates whose proposed research does not align with one of the four research themes are outside the scope of the call
Documents to prepare
- A tabular curriculum vitae covering academic background, professional and research experience and skills
- Higher education degree certificates
- Full academic transcripts, with an explanation of the grading system used
- A motivation letter of no more than 500 words
- A research exposé of no more than 1,500 words
- An interdisciplinary research statement of no more than 500 words
- One letter of recommendation
- An English language certificate at B2 level or equivalent
How to apply
- Read the four research themes on the Urban Future programme page and pick the one closest to your background and proposed doctoral research.
- Shape a research idea that answers a real urban-health challenge and connects clearly to that theme.
- Prepare all eight required documents, keeping the motivation letter to 500 words, the research exposé to 1,500 words and the interdisciplinary statement to 500 words.
- Create your application in the official University of Bonn application portal and name the specific research theme you are applying for.
- Submit the complete application before 19 October 2026 through the portal at https://masterapplication.uni-bonn.de/movein/hosted/online/move/movein/portal/zefb_portal.php.
Selection process
- The RTG Selection Committee assesses every complete application first.
- The most qualified candidates are invited to a virtual interview.
- Successful researchers join the programme from April 2027.
- In line with North Rhine-Westphalia equality law, women are given preference where candidates hold equal suitability, qualifications and professional performance, unless another candidate has overriding reasons.
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Do I need a medical or life-science background?
No. The call lists a very wide range of eligible disciplines, including economics, mathematics, computer science, geography, urban and regional studies and social sciences, as long as your academic background and proposed research connect to one of the four themes.
Can I research a city outside Germany?
Yes. You may propose research sites in any blue city in the world, which means a city shaped by rivers or coastlines, and the network already works with partners in Ghana, Togo, Cameroon, Brazil and Japan.
Is the position paid?
Yes. You receive a four-year doctoral support contract at TV-L pay grade 13 (65%), the German public-sector scale for early-career researchers, with additional support for fieldwork and travel.
What English level is required?
Evidence of B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or an equivalent qualification such as TOEFL, is required for both writing and speaking.
Important disclaimer
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