PhD Position in Higher Education for Peace and Conflict Resolution in Constructor University Bremen – Germany

Summary

Constructor University Bremen invites applications for a three-year, part-time PhD position in Higher Education for Peace and Conflict Resolution. The position, supervised by Prof. Dr. Isak Frumin and Prof. Dr. Klaus Boehnke, focuses on how universities develop peace education and constructive conflict resolution skills. The successful candidate will join the 'Innovative Models of Universities' research group and contribute to international Erasmus+ projects. The role includes a full tuition waiver and a modest tax-free stipend. Applicants should hold a Master's degree in a relevant field, possess strong analytical and academic writing skills in English, and have experience in quantitative research and data processing. The starting date is preferably by November 1, 2026, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Required documents include a cover letter, CV, and contact details for academic referees.

Key Facts

Department	Observatory of Higher Education Innovation – Innovative Models of Universities Research Group
Position Type	PhD Position
Discipline	Higher Education Studies, Education Sociology, Political Science, Peace Conflict Studies, Social Political Psychology
Research Area	Higher Education for Peace and Conflict Resolution
Degree Required	Master degree or equivalent education
Experience	Experience in quantitative research data processing, demonstrated capacity to learn web scraping and systematic web-based data collection, experience in survey analysis, program evaluation, mixed-methods research, and working in international EU-funded research projects.
Salary	Full tuition waiver for PhD program together with a modest tax-free stipend.
Funding	Full tuition waiver and a modest tax-free stipend. Eligibility to apply for affiliated fellow status at BIGSSS and external scholarships.
Contract Duration	Three-year PhD position
Language	English (mandatory), German (desirable but not mandatory)
Required Documents	Cover letter (1-2 pages outlining motivation, research interests, methodological experience, and fit for the project), CV (including publications, research experience, relevant technical skills), Contact details of 2-3 academic referees

About the Project

The PhD project will investigate how universities develop peace education and constructive conflict resolution (CCR) skills through teaching, student life, and institutional structures. It aims to explore how higher education institutions foster capacities for dialogue, disagreement, collaboration, and peaceful conflict engagement in diverse and often polarized environments. A central component involves comparative mapping of peace education and CCR skill development in higher education internationally, including systematic analysis of university curricula and institutional initiatives across various countries and higher education systems. The project requires intensive data collection and will involve contributions to ongoing international Erasmus+ projects and broader research on conflict engagement and intercultural skills in higher education.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to joint seminars and group communication activities within the 'Innovative Models of Universities' research group.
• Conduct comparative mapping of peace education and constructive conflict resolution skill development in higher education internationally.
• Identify and systematically analyze university curricula and institutional initiatives across countries and higher education systems.
• Dedicate substantial effort to systematic collection, processing, and management of data.
• Contribute to ongoing international Erasmus+ projects.
• Contribute to broader emerging research agenda on conflict engagement and intercultural skills in higher education.

Required Skills

• Master degree or equivalent education in higher education studies, sociology, political science, peace conflict studies, computational social science, psychology, or related field.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong academic writing skills in English.
• Experience in quantitative research data processing.
• Demonstrated capacity to learn web scraping and systematic web-based data collection.
• Interest in higher education, conflict resolution, and peace education related research.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an international research environment.
• Proficiency in relevant data-analysis environment (preferably Python, R, SPSS) (preferred).
• Background in comparative higher education research (preferred).
• Background in conflict resolution, mediation, peace education, or intercultural education (preferred).
• Experience in survey analysis, program evaluation, or mixed-methods research (preferred).
• Experience working in international EU-funded research projects (preferred).
• Interest in linking theory and practice in higher education contexts (preferred).
• Proficiency in German (desirable, not mandatory).

Who Should Apply

This position is suitable for candidates with a Master's degree or equivalent in higher education studies, sociology, political science, peace conflict studies, computational social science, psychology, or related fields. Ideal applicants will have strong analytical and academic writing skills in English, experience in quantitative research and data processing, and an interest in higher education, conflict resolution, and peace education. The role requires the ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international research environment. Candidates with proficiency in data analysis environments like Python, R, or SPSS, and a background in comparative higher education research or conflict resolution, are particularly encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Full tuition waiver for the PhD program.
• Modest tax-free stipend.
• Opportunity to become an affiliated fellow of the Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS).
• Eligibility to apply for external scholarships programs.
• Membership in the 'Innovative Models of Universities' research group.
• Collaboration with researchers and PhD students from different countries.
• Contribution to joint seminars and group communication activities.

About the Employer

Constructor University Bremen gGmbH is an institution in Bremen, Germany, that invites applications for a PhD position. It hosts the Observatory of Higher Education Innovation and the 'Innovative Models of Universities' Research Group, which brings together researchers and PhD students from various countries. The university is also associated with the Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS) and participates in Erasmus+ projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of the PhD position?

The PhD position is for three years.

What is the starting date for the position?

The starting date is preferably by November 1, 2026.

What are the funding arrangements for this PhD position?

The position includes a full tuition waiver for the PhD program and a modest tax-free stipend. The successful candidate is also eligible to apply for affiliated fellow status at BIGSSS and external scholarships.

Are there any language requirements for this position?

Strong analytical and academic writing skills in English are mandatory. Proficiency in German is desirable but not mandatory.

What documents are required for the application?

Applicants must submit a cover letter (1-2 pages), a CV (including publications, research experience, and relevant technical skills), and contact details for 2-3 academic referees.

What is the focus of the PhD project?

The project focuses on how universities develop peace education and constructive conflict resolution skills across teaching, student life, and institutional structures, exploring how higher education institutions foster capacities for dialogue and peaceful conflict engagement.