Job description
About United Nations University (UNU)
The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.
For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU’s expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu
About United Nations University for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES)
UNU-FLORES is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-FLORES develops strategies to resolve pressing issues in the sustainable use and integrated management of environmental resources such as water, soil, waste, energy, and other geo-resources that are of concern to the United Nations and its Member States – particularly in developing and emerging economies. Based in Dresden and Weisswasser, Germany, the Institute engages in research and innovation development, education and capacity development as well as outreach, advocacy and impact to advance the Resource Nexus. For more information, please visit https://flores.unu.edu/.
NEXtra Doctoral Scholarship Programme
Under the EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses) funding programme, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides fully funded scholarships for 42 months (3.5 years), including a two-month German language course, to support doctoral research in the NEXtra Project. Successful candidates will be enrolled in one of the doctoral programmes jointly offered by UNU and TU Dresden, and supervised by experts from UNU-FLORES, Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) and/or the Leibniz Institute for Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) and its Dresden Leibniz Graduate School (DLGS). Candidates will pursue their doctoral research in Germany, on a topic within the overarching thematic focus of the Resource Nexus for sustainability transformations, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while also collaborating with and contributing to the work of the United Nations. Applicants are expected to design their research projects to promote actionable sustainability transformations and address context-specific, evidence-informed needs in their regions.
The NEXtra Doctoral PhD Scholarship Programme offers the opportunity to conduct doctoral studies on one of the topics listed here –
Applicants may apply for up to two topics by submitting a single application package that includes two separate research proposals, each tailored to one of the topics.
Responsibilities
As a Doctoral Researcher in the NEXtra project, you will be an integral member of the partners’ teams, contributing to the advancement of research on the Resource Nexus for sustainability transformations. Your responsibilities are supporting three core pillars:
- Researchand Innovation Development on the Resource Nexus
- Dedicate approximately 80–90% of your time to high-level research and scientific writing;
- Successfully complete the doctoral curriculum including several modules about the Resource Nexus;
- Develop and implement a robust research approach to advance scientific knowledge within your specific topic, ensuring a clear connection to the Resource Nexus and relevant UN frameworks;
- Produce and publish mandatory peer-reviewed scientific articles in line with the applicable TUD faculty’s doctoral regulations;
- Prepare a cumulative dissertation (framework paper) and successfully conclude your oral defense within the specified timeframe;
- Actively participate in activities of the NEXtra doctoral cohort, provide regular progress reports, and maintain up-to-date project information;
- Adhere to the highest standards of research integrity and good academic practices.
- Education and Capacity Development
- Allocate 5–10% of your time to educational initiatives;
- Successfully complete the doctoral curriculum as required by UNU-FLORES and its partner institutions;
- Deliver at least one lecture annually for programs such as CIPSEM, guest lectures at TU Dresden, or other partner institutions;
- Contribute to the development of innovative educational materials;
- Support the lecturing and supervision of Master’s students, to enhance knowledge transfer regarding the Resource Nexus.
- Outreach, Advocacy, and Impact
- Allocate 5–10% of your time to advocacy and outreach activities;
- Identify and engage with key contact persons within the UN system to align research findings with policy needs and facilitate research uptake;
- Translate research findings into actionable insights by publishing policy briefs;
- Present research findings at scientific and implementation-related conferences etc.;
- Promote the Resource Nexus and UNU-FLORES activities through regular social media engagement and/or the creation of communication materials.
- Perform other duties assigned by the supervision team.
Key Performance Indicators
- 1. Research and Innovation Development
- Successful submission and publication of at least three mandatory peer-reviewed scientific articles in line with the applicable TUD faculty’s doctoral regulations;
- A cumulative framework paper completed, and the oral defense successfully concluded;
- Active participation in NEXtra doctoral cohort activities ensured, timely submission of progress reports, and maintenance of up-to-date project information.
2. Education and Capacity Development
- Required doctoral curriculum successfully completed as mandated by UNU-FLORES and partner institutions;
- Mandatory plans and reports are timely submitted;
- At least one lecture or educational session delivered per year (e.g., guest lectures at TU Dresden, CIPSEM, or partner organizations);
- At least one set of educational materials or modules to the KARE platform or similar knowledge-sharing tools delivered;
- Academic development of Master’s students through co-supervision or guest lectures completed.
3. Outreach, Advocacy, and Impact
- Active collaboration with at least one specific UN system contacts person/entity to align research with UN policy needs established and maintained;
- At least one policy brief based on research findings published;
- Represented the institute at a minimum of one major scientific or implementation-related conference;
- A regular advocacy presence maintained with a minimum of 2–3 professional social media posts per cycle promoting the Resource Nexus.
Competencies
Values:
- Inclusion – Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity.
- Integrity – Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour or any other breach of UN standards.
- Humility – Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.
- Humanity – Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.
Behaviours:
- Connect and Collaborate – Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
- Analyse and Plan – Seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
- Deliver Results with Positive Impact – Hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
- Learn and Develop – Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
- Adapt and Innovate – Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways
Qualifications
- Mandatory requirements:
- The candidate must hold citizenship in one of the List of eligible countries for DAAD-EPOS scholarship;
- An excellent academic profile including a Master’s degree with a grade equivalent to 2.5 or better according to the German system;
- Master’s degree relevant to the selected topic (see list above), preferably not to be older than six (6) years at the time of application deadline;
- At least two years of relevant work experience after the first academic degree (typically, a Bachelor’s degree);
- At the time of the application deadline, the applicant must not have stayed in Germany for longer than fifteen (15) months;
- Fluency in English language is required.
- Desirable:
- Sound scientific knowledge and methodological skills relevant to the selected topic;
- Experience in conducting trans-/interdisciplinary research (e.g., research-oriented master’s thesis, research, or consultancy-related employment);
- Strong interest and previous academic/ work experience related to at least one of the following three fields: (1) sustainability/ sustainable development; (2) development cooperation and/or (3) the Resource Nexus;
- Capacity to structure complex tasks; strong analytical abilities;
- Excellent writing and presentation skills;
- Strong planning, organization and time management skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and efficiently in different contexts (e.g., academia, UN system);
- Must be flexible with the ability to establish priorities and work within prescribed timeframes;
- An excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills, demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
- Knowledge of German and/or another UN official working language is an asset.
Eligible Countries
The NEXtra Doctoral Scholarship Programme 2027 is funded through the DAAD EPOS programme, which supports professionals from developing and emerging economies listed by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC).
Applicants must be citizens of DAC-listed developing countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and Oceania.
Examples of Eligible Countries
Africa
Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Cameroon, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, Liberia, Madagascar, Côte d’Ivoire, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Niger, Mali, Togo.
Asia & Middle East
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.
Latin America & Caribbean
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, Guyana, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama.
Europe (Emerging Economies)
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, North Macedonia.
Oceania
Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu.
Overall, the programme is open to applicants from over 100 developing countries on the OECD-DAC list, provided they meet other requirements such as a Master’s degree, strong academic performance, and at least two years of professional experience.
Duration and Remuneration
The DAAD-EPOS pays a monthly stipend of EUR 1,400 for the duration of Doctoral Research (up to a maximum of 42 months). The stipend is expected to cover all living and education expenses. While the Doctoral programme is tuition-free, semester fees of approximately EUR 300-350 must be paid directly to TU Dresden for enrollment. The DAAD will also provide health insurance and in-person introductory German classes (in February and March 2027). An additional allowance for travel or research is part of the scholarship offered by DAAD. Details will be shared with the nominated candidates. The successful candidate must be based at the institute in Dresden, Germany for the duration of the doctoral studies.
Start date
01 April 2027.
Please note that the programme includes a mandatory two-month German language course covered by the donor, beginning in February 2027.
How to Apply
To apply to UNU, no account is required. Apply via the link and answer a few position-specific questions.
Please submit one single PDF (in place of the P11 form) that includes all documents listed below and in the EPOS checklist.
The documents must be arranged in the same order as listed below.
- Completed and signed EPOS Checklist
- Filled and signed EPOS application form (use reverse chronological order)
- Link to the Europass CV Template
- Reverse chronological order; ensure there are no gaps in your timeline; if there are (even a few days or a month gap), include a brief explanation of the gap;
- Include date and signature at the end.
- Motivation Letter (should clearly express your motivation for pursuing doctoral research under the NEXtra Programme)
- Copies of University Academic Degree Certificates and Transcripts
- Bachelor’s degree certificate + transcript;
- Master’s degree certificate + transcript;
- Include an official grading system explanation if it is not shown in the transcript.
- Copy of Secondary School Certificate
- Work Certificates (minimum of two years of relevant experience)
- Internship and volunteer experience are not counted toward the two-year requirement;
- Must be on official letterhead with signature, date, and stamp;
- If a signature or stamp cannot be provided, include a written explanation in a separate note immediately following the certificates.
- Letters of Recommendation
- One from your current employer AND one from your academic supervisor;
- Must be on official letterhead with digital signature, date, and stamp;
- If a signature or stamp cannot be provided, include a short-written explanation following the letters.
- Proof of Language Skills (English and/or German)
- Submit recent certificates, or alternatively, include confirmation of language proficiency in a recommendation or work letter, especially if your degree or work was conducted in English or German.
- Research Proposal (maximum 13,000 characters including spaces, plus references)
- Background and Motivation (context, origin of the problem/gap, awareness of related work, importance/significance of addressing problem/gap);
- Review of State-of-the-Art Scientific Knowledge;
- Problem Statement, Research Aim, and Objectives;
- Research Approach and Methods;
- Work Plan;
- References.
- A copy of the full Master’s thesis if written in English. If the thesis is written in another language, please provide an English translation of the abstract or summary only.
- Additional Documents (optional)
- Publications, Internship certificates, additional recommendation letters, or other relevant documentation.
All documents must have an official translation if not in English or German; be complete, signed, and stamped where required. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. The P11 form is not required.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
For more information on the application process, please visit the NEXtra page, which features past webinars and FAQs.
You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information on the organisational culture.
Application Deadline: 12 April 2026, 23:59 CEST.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks, and references.
Special Notice
Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the Rector’s authority. They may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised. UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organisation. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply. UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.
If you have supervisory function you need to have awareness on gender related issues.
Information about UNU rosters
UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Scam Warning
UNU does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
