University of Bonn Research Associate PhD Positions 2027 in Germany: 12 Fully Funded Doctoral Research Vacancies

The University of Bonn in Germany is inviting applications for 12 Research Associate positions within the DFG Research Training Group 3125, “Reconciliation and its Equivalents in a Transcultural Comparison.” These doctoral research positions offer successful candidates an opportunity to undertake a PhD within an interdisciplinary and international research environment while being employed as research associates at the University of Bonn.

The positions are scheduled to commence on February 1, 2027, and will be offered on fixed-term contracts running until January 31, 2031. Successful applicants will be employed at 65% and remunerated according to TV-L pay grade 13 (Entgeltgruppe 13).

The Research Training Group brings together researchers from multiple academic disciplines to investigate reconciliation and related approaches to conflict transformation across different societies, cultures and historical periods. The programme combines doctoral research with structured supervision, interdisciplinary academic exchange, professional development and opportunities for international research networking.

Applications are particularly relevant to prospective doctoral researchers with academic backgrounds in areas including history, law, social sciences, anthropology, cultural studies, peace and conflict studies, Jewish studies, religious studies, heritage and museum studies, and reconciliation studies.

The application deadline is September 17, 2026.

About the University of Bonn Research Associate Positions

The DFG Research Training Group 3125, “Reconciliation and its Equivalents in a Transcultural Comparison,” is seeking 12 Research Associates at 65% employment.

The positions are designed around doctoral research. Successful candidates will be expected to develop and write a doctoral dissertation addressing a subject that falls within the intellectual and thematic scope of the Research Training Group.

The programme offers researchers the opportunity to work within a community dedicated to examining concepts, strategies and practices associated with conflict transformation.

Rather than examining reconciliation solely from the perspective of one discipline, historical period or cultural context, the Research Training Group adopts an interdisciplinary and transcultural approach.

Its research incorporates both synchronic and diachronic comparative analysis. This means that researchers may examine relevant concepts and practices across different societies and cultures as well as across different historical periods.

Research Training Group: “Reconciliation and its Equivalents in a Transcultural Comparison”

The central objective of the Research Training Group is to investigate concepts, strategies and practices of conflict transformation through interdisciplinary and transcultural research.

Reconciliation can have different meanings depending on historical, cultural, political, religious, legal and social circumstances. Consequently, the programme seeks to investigate reconciliation alongside concepts and practices that may function as its equivalents in different contexts.

The Research Training Group therefore provides a framework in which doctoral researchers can contribute subject-specific expertise while participating in broader conversations across academic disciplines.

The interdisciplinary nature of the programme creates opportunities for doctoral candidates to consider questions that might otherwise remain confined to individual academic fields.

Potential doctoral projects must fall within the scope of the Research Training Group. Applicants should therefore ensure that their proposed research has a clear connection to the programme’s focus on reconciliation, equivalent concepts, conflict transformation and transcultural or comparative approaches.

The University of Bonn indicates that examples of potential PhD projects and additional information about the Research Training Group can be found through the programme’s official website.

Number of Available Positions

A total of 12 Research Associate positions are available.

Each position is offered at 65% employment within the DFG Research Training Group 3125.

This recruitment therefore represents an opportunity for a cohort of doctoral researchers from different academic backgrounds to undertake their research within the same interdisciplinary training environment.

Position Duration and Starting Date

Successful candidates are expected to begin their positions on:

February 1, 2027

The contracts will run until:

January 31, 2031

The positions are fixed-term appointments in accordance with § 2 (1) WissZeitVG.

Applicants should therefore consider their availability to relocate to or work on site at the University of Bonn for the duration of the programme, as active on-site participation is explicitly required.

Main Responsibilities of Successful Research Associates

Successful applicants will have two major responsibilities within the Research Training Group.

1. Writing a Doctoral Thesis

Research associates will be expected to undertake and write a doctoral thesis on a topic falling within the scope of the Research Training Group.

The doctoral project will therefore form a central component of the successful applicant’s work during the appointment.

Applicants are required to submit a five-page project outline as part of their application. This document should enable the selection committee to understand the proposed doctoral research and how it relates to the Research Training Group.

2. Active Participation in Research Training Group Activities

Successful candidates must also participate actively and on site in the activities organised by the Research Training Group.

This participation will take place as part of the group’s study and qualification programme.

Applicants should therefore understand that the position is not structured solely around independent dissertation writing. Researchers will become members of an academic community and are expected to participate in its intellectual, training and collaborative activities.

Academic Qualifications Required

Applicants must possess a university degree completed with above-average results.

Accepted qualifications include:

• A Master’s degree;
• A State Examination; or
• An equivalent university qualification.

The University of Bonn particularly welcomes candidates from disciplines connected with the interdisciplinary work of the Research Training Group.

Preferred Academic Fields

Applicants preferably have academic backgrounds in one or more of the following subjects:

• Ancient History;
• Art History;
• Critical Museum and Heritage Studies;
• Early Modern History;
• English Literature and Cultural Studies;
• Historical Peace and Conflict Studies;
• Peace and Conflict Studies;
• History and Culture of the Islamicate World;
• History Education;
• Jewish Studies;
• Law;
• Modern and Contemporary History;
• Philosophy of Religion;
• Social and Cultural Anthropology;
• Social Sciences; and
• Reconciliation Studies.

Because the Research Training Group is explicitly interdisciplinary, applicants should carefully explain how their previous academic training and proposed doctoral project relate to the programme’s overall research agenda.

Interdisciplinary Research Interest

In addition to formal academic qualifications, applicants must demonstrate an interest in interdisciplinary work.

This requirement is particularly important given the structure of the programme.

Researchers from different disciplines will participate in the Research Training Group, meaning successful candidates should be prepared to communicate their research beyond the boundaries of their own academic specialisation.

Candidates should be interested in exchanging ideas with researchers working with different methodologies, theoretical traditions, geographic regions and historical periods.

English Language Requirements

Applicants must possess sufficient English-language proficiency to participate effectively in the programme.

The minimum requirement is:

English at B2 level

However, candidates intending to write their doctoral dissertation in English must have:

English at C1 level

Proof of English-language proficiency forms part of the application requirements.

Importantly, the announcement states that proof of English proficiency may, if necessary, be submitted after the start of employment.

Applicants who do not currently possess the required certificate should therefore carefully review the official requirements rather than automatically assuming they are ineligible.

Teamwork Requirements

Applicants must also demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a team.

The Research Training Group is designed around interdisciplinary collaboration and academic exchange. Candidates should therefore be comfortable working within a research community rather than pursuing their doctoral research entirely independently.

The ability to communicate ideas, receive feedback, contribute to discussions and cooperate with colleagues from different academic backgrounds will be important.

Benefits of the University of Bonn Research Associate PhD Positions

Successful candidates will receive access to a substantial range of academic, professional and institutional opportunities during their doctoral studies.

Subject-Specific Doctoral Research

The programme offers excellent opportunities to undertake a subject-specific doctoral thesis while simultaneously participating in a broader interdisciplinary environment.

Researchers can therefore maintain the disciplinary depth required for doctoral research while gaining exposure to perspectives from other fields.

International and Interdisciplinary Environment

Successful applicants will become part of an interdisciplinary and international research environment.

This may be particularly valuable for researchers whose projects involve comparative, transcultural or international dimensions.

Intensive Academic Exchange

The programme provides opportunities for intensive academic and interdisciplinary exchange.

Researchers will have opportunities to engage with scholars working on related questions from different disciplinary and methodological perspectives.

International Academic Networking

The Research Training Group also provides opportunities for international academic networking.

This includes the possibility of receiving funding for a research stay abroad lasting several months.

Such research stays may enable doctoral researchers to undertake archival work, field research, institutional visits, academic collaborations or other activities relevant to their dissertations, depending on their individual projects.

Structured Doctoral Supervision

Successful candidates will benefit from a structured supervision framework for doctoral studies.

Structured supervision can be particularly valuable during a PhD because it provides researchers with an organised framework for receiving academic guidance and progressing through different stages of their doctoral projects.

Study and Qualification Programme

Researchers will have access to a comprehensive study and qualification programme.

Importantly, participants will also have opportunities to help shape the programme themselves.

This creates scope for doctoral researchers to contribute to the academic and professional development environment in which they participate.

Collegial and Family-Friendly Working Environment

The University of Bonn states that successful researchers will work within a collegial and family-friendly environment.

This is intended to support researchers as they undertake the demanding combination of doctoral research, academic development and participation in the activities of the Research Training Group.

Salary and Employment Conditions

The positions are remunerated according to:

TV-L Pay Grade 13 / Entgeltgruppe 13

Each Research Associate position is offered at 65%.

Applicants should note that the vacancy announcement identifies the applicable German public-sector pay classification rather than stating a single fixed salary amount.

Actual remuneration may therefore depend on the applicable employment and salary rules.

Required Application Documents

Candidates interested in applying should prepare a complete application.

The required materials include:

1. References
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Two-page cover letter
4. Five-page project outline
5. Proof of English-language proficiency
6. Letters of recommendation

Applicants should pay careful attention to the special instructions concerning the English-language certificate and recommendation letters.

Proof of English Proficiency

Proof of English-language proficiency is requested as part of the application documentation. However, according to the vacancy announcement, it may be submitted after the start of employment if necessary.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation may be submitted if the candidate is invited to an interview.

Applicants should nevertheless identify potential referees early enough to ensure that recommendation letters can be provided if requested during the selection process.

Five-Page PhD Project Outline

One of the most significant elements of the application is the required five-page project outline.

Because successful candidates will spend the appointment working toward a doctoral thesis, the project proposal is likely to play an important role in demonstrating the candidate’s academic preparation and the relevance of their proposed research to the Research Training Group.

Applicants should ensure that their proposed project falls within the scope of “Reconciliation and its Equivalents in a Transcultural Comparison.”

The University of Bonn has indicated that information about the Research Training Group, the group of applicants and examples of potential PhD projects are available through the programme’s website.

Candidates should consult these resources when developing their proposals so they can understand the broader intellectual environment in which their doctoral research would be situated.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by email.

Candidates should send their complete applications to:

ckrueger@uni-bonn.de

The application must include the following application code:

2026/333

Applicants should ensure that the application code is correctly included so that their submission can be associated with the appropriate recruitment process.

There is also an important technical requirement concerning the format of applications.

Applications may only be submitted by email as a single PDF file.

Candidates should therefore combine all application documents that are required at the initial application stage into one PDF rather than sending several separate attachments.

Before submitting, applicants should check that:

• All required documents are included;
• The documents appear in a logical order;
• The PDF opens correctly;
• All pages are readable;
• The CV is current;
• The cover letter does not exceed the requested two pages;
• The project outline follows the requested five-page length;
• The application code 2026/333 is included; and
• The application is sent before the deadline.

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Application Deadline

The deadline for submitting applications is:

September 17, 2026

Candidates should aim to submit their applications ahead of the deadline whenever possible. Because applications can only be submitted electronically as a single PDF, applicants should allow enough time to combine and review their documents before sending them.

Late applications should not be assumed to receive consideration unless the University of Bonn explicitly states otherwise.

Calls for Application PDF file

Selection Interviews

The University of Bonn states that selection interviews will take place during the first half of October 2026.

Applicants who progress beyond the initial application stage should therefore be prepared for an interview during this period.

Candidates invited to interview may also be required to submit their letters of recommendation, as indicated in the vacancy announcement.

Important Dates at a Glance

Prospective applicants should keep the following timeline in mind:

• Vacancy announcement published: July 21, 2026
• Application deadline: September 17, 2026
• Selection interviews: First half of October 2026
• Employment and doctoral research start date: February 1, 2027
• Contract end date: January 31, 2031

Contact for Further Information

Candidates who need additional information about the positions may contact Prof. Dr. Christine Krüger or another member of the team of principal investigators.

The programme also provides the following general contact information:

Email: reconciliation@uni-bonn.de
Telephone: +49 228 73690-36

Applicants can obtain additional information about the Research Training Group through its official website at www.reconciliation.de.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the official Research Training Group information and available examples of potential PhD projects before preparing their applications.

Who Should Consider Applying?

These positions may be particularly attractive to early-career researchers who have completed a Master’s degree, State Examination or equivalent qualification with strong academic results and now wish to pursue doctoral research.

They may also appeal to researchers interested in studying reconciliation and conflict transformation from historical, social, cultural, political, legal, philosophical, religious or anthropological perspectives.

Because the programme emphasises interdisciplinary and transcultural comparison, candidates should be willing to engage with perspectives beyond their primary discipline.

Applicants should also be comfortable participating actively in an academic community and attending Research Training Group activities on site.

Why This Doctoral Research Opportunity Is Significant

The University of Bonn’s recruitment of 12 Research Associates creates an opportunity for doctoral researchers to undertake individual research projects while participating in a structured cohort.

Doctoral research can often involve highly specialised individual work. The Research Training Group supplements that process with structured supervision, interdisciplinary exchange, qualification activities and international networking.

Another notable feature is the potential support for research stays abroad lasting several months. International research experience can be particularly important for doctoral projects involving transcultural comparison, international archives, field research or engagement with research communities outside Germany.

The combination of doctoral research, salaried employment, structured supervision and academic development makes these positions particularly relevant for candidates seeking to pursue a PhD within an organised research environment.

Application Checklist

Before sending an application, candidates should confirm that they have addressed the following requirements:

• Hold a Master’s degree, State Examination or equivalent university qualification;
• Have completed the qualification with above-average results;
• Have a proposed doctoral project relevant to the Research Training Group;
• Have an interest in interdisciplinary research;
• Meet the English-language requirement of at least B2;
• Have C1 English if planning to write the dissertation in English;
• Be able to work effectively within a team;
• Be prepared for active on-site participation;
• Prepare references;
• Prepare an updated CV;
• Write a two-page cover letter;
• Prepare a five-page doctoral project outline;
• Arrange proof of English-language proficiency, subject to the stated possibility of later submission;
• Be prepared to provide recommendation letters if invited to interview;
• Combine the required initial application materials into a single PDF;
• Include application code 2026/333;
• Submit the application by email to ckrueger@uni-bonn.de; and
• Submit the application no later than September 17, 2026.

Conclusion

The University of Bonn Research Associate PhD positions for 2027 provide an opportunity for prospective doctoral researchers to pursue advanced research on reconciliation, conflict transformation and related concepts within the DFG Research Training Group 3125, “Reconciliation and its Equivalents in a Transcultural Comparison.”

With 12 Research Associate positions available, the programme brings together researchers from a wide range of academic disciplines and provides a structured setting for doctoral research, interdisciplinary collaboration and international academic engagement.

Successful candidates will undertake a subject-specific doctoral thesis while participating actively in the Research Training Group’s study and qualification programme. They will also benefit from structured doctoral supervision, intensive interdisciplinary exchange, international networking opportunities and potential funding for research stays abroad lasting several months.

The positions begin on February 1, 2027, run until January 31, 2031, are offered at 65% employment, and provide remuneration according to TV-L pay grade 13 / Entgeltgruppe 13.

Interested applicants should prepare their documentation carefully, particularly the two-page cover letter and five-page doctoral project outline. The complete initial application must be submitted by email as a single PDF file, using application code 2026/333.

The final deadline to apply is September 17, 2026.

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