PhD Position in Urban Health in Blue Cities, University of Bonn, Germany

Summary

The University of Bonn offers ten fully funded PhD positions within the interdisciplinary Research Training Group "Urban Future" focused on urban health in blue cities. Appointed on 1 April 2027, each researcher receives a four‑year contract with remuneration at TV‑L pay grade 13 (65%) and full coverage of fieldwork, travel and related expenses. The programme combines structured doctoral training, interdisciplinary seminars, and transdisciplinary research on water‑health‑governance, especially in Global South contexts. Candidates must hold a master’s degree (or equivalent), possess strong interdisciplinary interest, and demonstrate excellent English skills. Applications require a CV, degree certificates, transcripts, motivation letter, research exposé, interdisciplinary statement, recommendation letter and proof of English proficiency, with a deadline of 2 November 2026.

Key Facts

Employer	University of Bonn
Position Type	PhD
Discipline	Urban Health
Research Area	Urban health, water-health nexus
Degree Required	Master's degree (or equivalent)
Salary	Remuneration according to TV-L pay grade 13 (65%)
Funding	Remuneration according to TV-L pay grade 13 (65%)
Contract Duration	4 years
Language	English
Deadline	2026-11-02
Required Documents	Curriculum vitae (tabular format), Higher education degree certificate(s) and full transcript(s) of records, including an explanation of the grading system of all previous studies, Motivation letter (max. 500 words), Research exposé (max. 1500 words), Interdisciplinary research statement (max. 500 words), Letter of recommendation, English language proficiency certification (B2 level (CEFR, TOEFL or equivalent))
Employer Address	53113, North Rhine-Westphalia

About the Project

The project is part of the DFG‑funded Research Training Group "Urban Future – managing transformations for a better health in blue cities". It investigates how urban transformations in river‑ or coastal‑based "Blue Cities" can be managed to improve public health, social equity and ecological sustainability. The research focuses on the water‑health‑governance nexus, with emphasis on cities in the Global South, and is organized around four themes: Urban Health Resilience, Urban Disease Ecology, Governance and Institutional Change, and Adaptive Urban Ecosystems.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively participate in the RTG training program and interdisciplinary seminars
• Conduct independent, RT‑aligned doctoral research, including method development, data collection, analysis, and publication
• Contribute to the development of Blue City concepts and transdisciplinary knowledge exchange

Required Skills

• Completed Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline
• Strong interdisciplinary mindset and clear interest in urban transformations, water‑health nexus, or urban health
• Excellent written and oral English language skills

Who Should Apply

Applicants who have completed a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, show a strong interdisciplinary mindset, are interested in urban transformations and the water‑health nexus, and possess excellent written and oral English skills should apply.

Benefits

• Stimulating international and interdisciplinary doctoral environment with strong national and global research networks
• Structured supervision, clear progression criteria, and dedicated career development support
• Full funding for fieldwork, travel, and related research expenses
• Comprehensive training in systems thinking, transdisciplinary methods, and academic communication
• Certified family‑friendly university with a commitment to diversity and equal opportunity

About the Employer

The University of Bonn is an international research university with a 200‑year history, about 31,500 students and more than 6,000 staff. It is recognised as a university of excellence in Germany and maintains a strong national and global research profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the position start?

The doctoral support contract starts on 1 April 2027.

What is the employment model?

Part‑time (65%) with a four‑year contract.

Are applications open to all genders?

Yes, the positions are advertised for all genders.