The University of Marburg in Germany is accepting applications for ten Doctoral Researcher/PhD positions within the new DFG Research Training Group 3159, “Gender and Gendering in Contexts of International Criminal Law.”

Hosted by the International Centre for War Crimes Trials (ICWC) at the University of Marburg, the Research Training Group brings together scholars from multiple disciplines to investigate how gender and processes of gendering interact with international criminal law, transitional justice, institutions, societies, and the broader conditions under which international criminal justice operates.

The positions offer selected doctoral researchers the opportunity to complete an independent PhD project in an international, interdisciplinary, and structured research environment while being employed by the University of Marburg.

A total of 10 positions are available.

Successful applicants are expected to begin on 1 February 2027. The positions are offered for up to four years, with contracts running until 31 January 2031, subject to applicable German academic employment regulations.

The positions are 75% part-time appointments and are remunerated according to TV-H pay grade E13 at 75%, the public-sector salary framework used in the German state of Hesse.

Applications must be submitted by 4 October 2026.

About the University of Marburg

The University of Marburg, formally known as Philipps-Universität Marburg, was founded in 1527 and is one of Germany’s historic universities.

Today, the institution serves approximately 22,000 students and conducts research across a broad range of academic disciplines.

The advertised doctoral positions are based within the University’s International Centre for War Crimes Trials, an interdisciplinary institution focusing on international criminal law, transitional justice, accountability, war crimes, and related political, historical, legal, and societal questions.

The doctoral researchers will form part of DFG Research Training Group 3159, creating a structured environment in which PhD candidates can develop individual dissertation projects while participating in a wider collaborative research programme.

About DFG Research Training Group 3159

The Research Training Group is titled:

Gender and Gendering in Contexts of International Criminal Law

Its central research focus concerns the complex relationships between concepts of gender and international criminal law.

Rather than examining international criminal law exclusively as a technical legal system, the programme investigates the wider legal, political, institutional, cultural, social, and historical contexts in which international criminal justice operates.

The Research Training Group asks how:

• Gender shapes international criminal law;
• Processes of gendering influence international criminal justice;
• International criminal law itself constructs or reproduces ideas about gender;
• Gender influences institutions responsible for criminal accountability;
• Gender affects how crimes are understood, categorized, prosecuted, or remembered;
• International criminal law interacts with social and political structures;
• Gender shapes the application, function, and impact of international criminal justice.

The programme is intentionally interdisciplinary.

This means doctoral candidates are not restricted to legal research. Applicants from social sciences, humanities, law, economics, theology, and related fields are encouraged to develop projects that contribute to the Research Training Group’s overarching questions.

Number of PhD Positions Available

The University of Marburg is recruiting:

10 Doctoral Researchers/PhD candidates

for the Research Training Group.

This cohort-based structure gives selected doctoral researchers the opportunity to develop their own dissertations alongside other researchers working on connected questions.

The programme therefore combines:

• Independent doctoral research;
• Structured supervision;
• Interdisciplinary exchange;
• Collaborative research;
• International academic engagement;
• Professional development.

Starting Date

The positions are scheduled to begin on:

1 February 2027

Applicants should therefore be available to commence their doctoral employment and research programme around this date.

Contract Duration

The positions are offered until:

31 January 2031

This corresponds to a maximum period of approximately four years.

However, the announcement notes that previous periods of academic qualification employment may need to be taken into consideration under German academic employment law.

The employment limitation is governed by Section 2(1) of the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act, commonly known as the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz or WissZeitVG.

The contract period is intended to provide sufficient time for candidates to undertake the scientific research necessary to complete their doctoral qualifications.

Salary and Employment Conditions

Successful candidates will be employed under the public-sector salary framework of the German state of Hesse.

The position is classified as:

TV-H E13, 75%

The employment volume is therefore:

75% of regular working hours

Applicants should understand that this is a salaried doctoral researcher position, rather than a conventional scholarship that simply provides a stipend.

Candidates will be employees of the University and will combine doctoral research with responsibilities associated with the Research Training Group.

Main Responsibilities

The doctoral researchers will have three principal responsibilities.

1. Complete a Doctoral Degree

The primary purpose of the position is to undertake an independent doctoral research project.

The dissertation topic must fall within the broader research programme of RTG 3159.

Applicants are therefore expected to develop an original research question that connects meaningfully with themes concerning:

• Gender;
• Gendering;
• International criminal law;
• Transitional justice;
• International criminal justice;
• Related institutional, legal, political, historical, economic, cultural, religious, or societal questions.

The exact topic will depend on the applicant’s disciplinary background and research interests.

2. Provide Research Assistance within the Research Training Group

Doctoral researchers will also contribute research assistance to the broader research programme of the RTG.

This reflects the collaborative nature of a DFG Research Training Group.

Candidates should therefore be willing to contribute not only to their individual dissertation but also to the intellectual development of the wider programme.

3. Participate Actively in RTG Activities

Successful candidates must actively participate in the Research Training Group’s activities.

Importantly, on-site participation in the RTG’s core programme is mandatory.

Applicants should therefore not regard the positions as remote PhDs.

While individual research may involve travel, fieldwork, archives, conferences, or international collaboration, doctoral researchers are expected to be physically present for the programme’s central academic activities in Marburg.

Academic Background Required

Applicants must hold an above-average completed university degree equivalent to a:

• Master’s degree;
• State examination; or
• Comparable higher university qualification.

The degree should be in a discipline relevant to the Research Training Group.

The announcement particularly identifies the following fields.

Peace and Conflict Studies

Candidates from peace and conflict studies may develop projects examining areas such as:

• Transitional justice;
• Conflict-related violence;
• Post-conflict accountability;
• Gender and peacebuilding;
• International criminal justice;
• Conflict transformation.

Gender Studies

Gender studies is directly relevant to the programme’s core intellectual agenda.

Potential research could engage with questions involving:

• Gender theory;
• Feminist theory;
• Masculinities;
• Queer theory;
• Intersectionality;
• Gendered institutions;
• Gendered forms of violence;
• Gender and justice.

History

Historians may approach international criminal justice and gender from historical perspectives.

Possible research areas could include the development of international criminal institutions, historical war-crimes trials, changing legal concepts, memory, or gendered understandings of conflict and accountability.

Modern German Literature

The programme also explicitly welcomes relevant applicants from modern German literary studies.

Potential projects may engage with representation, discourse, memory, law, gender, violence, testimony, or cultural responses to international crimes.

Political Science

Political scientists may investigate topics related to:

• International institutions;
• Global governance;
• Transitional justice;
• Conflict;
• Gender politics;
• International organizations;
• Accountability;
• International criminal courts;
• Politics of prosecution.

Law

Applicants from law may be particularly well placed to examine doctrinal and theoretical questions surrounding:

• International criminal law;
• International humanitarian law;
• Human rights law;
• Gender-based crimes;
• Sexual violence;
• International tribunals;
• Transitional justice.

Sociology

Sociological projects may explore how international criminal justice interacts with:

• Social structures;
• Institutions;
• Communities;
• Gender norms;
• Identities;
• Power relations;
• Collective memory;
• Social change.

Theology

Theology is also identified as a relevant discipline, reflecting the programme’s broad interdisciplinary approach.

Possible areas might include religion, gender, conflict, reconciliation, ethics, justice, memory, or post-conflict societies.

Economics

Applicants with an economics background may also be eligible where their proposed project connects convincingly with the RTG’s research agenda.

The list of disciplines is introduced as particularly relevant rather than necessarily exhaustive. Applicants from related fields should therefore assess whether their academic training and proposed project fit the Research Training Group’s central research questions.

Previous Research Knowledge

Prior knowledge of the Research Training Group’s main subject areas is considered advantageous.

Relevant background may include experience with:

• International law;
• International criminal law;
• Transitional justice;
• Gender studies.

This knowledge is described as an advantage rather than an absolute standalone eligibility requirement.

Applicants from adjacent disciplines may therefore still be competitive if they can demonstrate a convincing intellectual connection between their existing background and their proposed doctoral research.

English Language Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency of at least:

C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

Proof of English-language proficiency must be included in the application.

Because the programme is international and interdisciplinary, candidates should be capable of:

• Academic reading;
• Academic writing;
• Research presentations;
• Seminar participation;
• Interdisciplinary discussion;
• Professional communication

at an advanced level in English.

Is German Required?

German-language proficiency is not presented as an absolute prerequisite.

However, German skills are considered an advantage.

Candidates who do not currently speak German should demonstrate a:

Willingness to learn German.

This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to international applicants who already possess strong English-language skills but may not yet have advanced German proficiency.

Personal and Professional Qualities

In addition to academic qualifications, candidates should demonstrate:

• Team spirit;
• Strong commitment to academic excellence;
• Interest in interdisciplinary research;
• Willingness to collaborate;
• Capacity for independent scientific research;
• Commitment to completing a doctoral qualification.

The programme is designed for researchers who can work independently while contributing actively to a collaborative academic community.

Interdisciplinary Research Is Central

One of the most important characteristics of RTG 3159 is its interdisciplinary structure.

Applicants should therefore avoid developing a dissertation proposal that is intellectually isolated from the wider programme.

The proposed research should be suitable for dialogue with scholars from other disciplines.

For example, a legal research project may benefit from considering:

• Political institutions;
• Historical developments;
• Gender theory;
• Social structures;
• Cultural narratives.

Similarly, a sociology, political science, history, or gender-studies project should demonstrate a meaningful relationship with international criminal law or the broader systems surrounding it.

Structured Doctoral Supervision

Successful candidates will receive structured doctoral supervision.

Each doctoral researcher will have an individually composed:

Thesis Advisory Committee

This committee is intended to provide structured guidance throughout the doctoral project.

Such supervision can help candidates with:

• Research design;
• Dissertation planning;
• Academic development;
• Research challenges;
• Publication strategies;
• Career planning;
• Interdisciplinary integration.

Individual Qualification and Supervision Programme

The Research Training Group will provide an individual qualification programme tailored to both:

• The doctoral researcher; and
• The individual dissertation project.

This provides an opportunity for candidates to develop not only their thesis but also a broader academic research profile.

International and Interdisciplinary Research Environment

The University emphasizes that the successful doctoral researchers will join an:

• Inspiring;
• International;
• Interdisciplinary

academic environment.

A major objective of the programme is to enable doctoral candidates to build their own independent research profiles.

This can be particularly useful for candidates considering longer-term careers in:

• Academia;
• International organizations;
• Transitional justice;
• Human rights;
• Policy research;
• International criminal justice;
• NGOs;
• Research institutes;
• Legal institutions.

Additional University Support

Doctoral researchers will also have access to support and professional-development structures within the University of Marburg.

These include support from:

Marburg University Research Academy

The Research Academy provides doctoral and early-career researchers with training and professional-development opportunities.

International Office

International doctoral researchers can receive institutional support related to international mobility and integration.

Family Service

The University describes itself as family-friendly and provides services intended to help employees balance professional and family responsibilities.

Higher Education Didactics

Candidates can also access university services related to higher education teaching and pedagogical development.

Research Environment and Inclusion

The University describes the research environment as:

• Collegial;
• Family-friendly;
• LGBTIQ+-inclusive.

The University also explicitly encourages applications from women.

In areas where women are underrepresented, female candidates may be preferred when applicants have equal qualifications.

Applicants with disabilities, as defined under the relevant provisions of Germany’s Social Security Code, may also receive preference in cases of equal qualifications.

Application Documents

Applications may be submitted in:

German or English

Candidates must prepare several substantial documents.

1. Doctoral Project Outline

Applicants must submit an outline of their planned doctoral research project.

Maximum length:

10 pages

The page limit includes:

• Research proposal;
• Work schedule;
• Time schedule;
• Bibliography.

The proposal must be based on an:

Innovative research question

that aligns with the topic and research programme of RTG 3159.

The project should also be suitable for interdisciplinary collaboration.

This is likely to be one of the most important components of the application.

What Should the Doctoral Proposal Demonstrate?

Although the announcement does not prescribe a detailed proposal template, the research outline should clearly demonstrate:

• The proposed research problem;
• Central research question;
• Relevance to gender and gendering;
• Connection with international criminal law;
• Original academic contribution;
• Theoretical framework;
• Methodological approach;
• Interdisciplinary relevance;
• Feasibility within the four-year period;
• Planned research stages.

Candidates should ensure that their proposal connects explicitly to the Research Training Group rather than simply submitting a generic PhD proposal.

2. Writing Sample

Applicants must submit a writing sample of no more than:

25 pages

Possible writing samples include:

• Sections from a Master’s thesis;
• Table of contents and selected Master’s thesis chapters;
• Seminar paper;
• Research paper;
• Academic article;
• Blog entry.

The writing sample allows the selection committee to assess the applicant’s research, analytical, and writing abilities.

Candidates should ideally choose work that demonstrates qualities relevant to the proposed PhD.

3. Motivation Letter

Applicants must submit a letter explaining their motivation.

A strong motivation letter should connect:

• Previous academic background;
• Research interests;
• Proposed doctoral project;
• Interest in RTG 3159;
• Interest in interdisciplinary research;
• Career goals.

Rather than simply describing the University as prestigious, applicants should explain why this specific Research Training Group is a strong intellectual fit.

4. Curriculum Vitae

A current CV is required.

Candidates should include relevant:

• Academic qualifications;
• Research experience;
• Employment;
• Publications;
• Conference participation;
• Research projects;
• Teaching;
• Academic service;
• Language abilities;
• Awards.

5. Certificates of Qualification

Applicants must submit certificates documenting their completed qualifications.

This includes evidence of the university degree that qualifies them for doctoral research.

6. Evidence of Academic Activities

Where applicable, candidates should include documentation of relevant academic activities.

These might include research, publications, conference contributions, academic employment, or other scholarly work.

7. Transcript of Records

A complete academic transcript must be submitted.

The transcript should document courses and academic performance from the applicant’s relevant degree programme.

8. Proof of English Proficiency

Applicants must provide evidence demonstrating English proficiency at:

C1 level or higher

Candidates should review the application system carefully to determine which forms of certification are accepted.

9. Academic Recommendation or Master’s Thesis Evaluation

Applicants must provide one of the following:

• One academic letter of recommendation, OR
• The first examiner’s report/evaluation of the Master’s thesis

This flexibility is important for candidates who may find it easier to provide an official Master’s thesis examiner report than request a separate reference.

Application Checklist

Before submitting, applicants should ensure they have:

1. Doctoral project outline, maximum 10 pages;
2. Work and time schedule included in the proposal;
3. Bibliography included within the 10-page limit;
4. Writing sample, maximum 25 pages;
5. Motivation letter;
6. CV;
7. Qualification certificates;
8. Evidence of academic activities where applicable;
9. Transcript of records;
10. Proof of English C1 proficiency;
11. One academic recommendation OR first examiner’s Master’s thesis report.

Selection Interviews

Digital interviews are expected to take place from:

Late October to early November 2026

Applicants shortlisted after the document review should therefore monitor their email closely during this period and be prepared for an online interview.

Candidates may reasonably expect the interview to explore their proposed research, disciplinary background, motivation, interdisciplinary fit, and suitability for the Research Training Group.

Application Deadline

The final deadline is:

4 October 2026

Applicants should submit their complete application by this date.

Given that the research proposal alone can be up to 10 pages and requires an innovative project aligned with the RTG research programme, prospective candidates should begin preparing significantly before October.

Important Dates

Applications: Open

Application deadline: 4 October 2026

Expected interviews: Late October to early November 2026

Employment and PhD start: 1 February 2027

Contract end: 31 January 2031

Maximum duration: Approximately four years

Registration Number

Applicants should note the official vacancy registration number:

ZE-0063-ICWC-wmz-2026

This reference may be useful when communicating with the University about the vacancy.

Contact for Further Information

Questions concerning the doctoral positions or Research Training Group may be directed to:

Prof. Dr. Stefanie Bock

Telephone: +49 6421-28 23119

Email:

rtg3159@uni-marburg.de

Further information about the Research Training Group is available HERE.

 

Tips for Preparing a Competitive Application

Start With the Research Training Group, Not Just Your Existing Interests

Read the RTG research programme carefully before finalizing your proposal.

A strong application should demonstrate that the candidate understands what the programme is trying to investigate.

Make Gender Central to the Research Question

The programme is specifically concerned with gender and gendering.

Gender should therefore be analytically important to the project rather than appearing only as a secondary variable added to an otherwise unrelated proposal.

Establish a Strong Connection to International Criminal Law

Applicants from non-law disciplines should explain clearly how their project interacts with international criminal justice.

This connection could be:

• Institutional;
• Political;
• Historical;
• Sociological;
• Cultural;
• Economic;
• Religious;
• Legal.

Demonstrate Interdisciplinary Potential

The application should show how the project could benefit from conversations with researchers outside the applicant’s own field.

Develop a Realistic Four-Year Timeline

Candidates should show that the proposed research can reasonably be completed within the employment period.

The time plan should account for major stages such as:

• Literature review;
• Theoretical development;
• Data gathering where applicable;
• Archival or field research;
• Analysis;
• Chapter writing;
• Revision;
• Dissertation submission.

Choose Your Writing Sample Carefully

The strongest writing sample is not necessarily the longest or most prestigious piece.

Choose work that best demonstrates:

• Independent thinking;
• Clear argumentation;
• Research ability;
• Methodological competence;
• Academic writing.

Explain Why Marburg and RTG 3159

Your motivation letter should make clear why this programme provides a particularly strong environment for your project.

Specificity is more persuasive than generic praise.

Conclusion

The 10 Doctoral Researcher/PhD positions at the University of Marburg’s DFG Research Training Group 3159 offer a substantial opportunity for emerging researchers interested in the intersections of gender, gendering, international criminal law, transitional justice, conflict, institutions, society, and accountability.

Successful applicants will join an international and interdisciplinary doctoral cohort at the International Centre for War Crimes Trials and receive structured supervision through an individually composed Thesis Advisory Committee.

The appointments run for up to four years, beginning 1 February 2027 and ending 31 January 2031, and are paid according to TV-H E13 at 75% employment.

The programme welcomes applicants from a broad range of relevant disciplines, including peace and conflict studies, gender studies, history, modern German literature, political science, law, sociology, theology, and economics.

Applicants need an above-average relevant university degree, at least C1-level English, a strong research profile, and an original doctoral project aligned with the RTG’s interdisciplinary research agenda. German is advantageous but applicants who are willing to learn German may also be considered.

The application requires a substantial doctoral proposal, writing sample, motivation letter, academic records, proof of English proficiency, and either an academic recommendation or the first examiner’s report on the applicant’s Master’s thesis.

The application deadline is 4 October 2026, with online selection interviews expected from late October through early November.

For researchers seeking a salaried PhD position combining international criminal justice with gender-focused interdisciplinary research, this opportunity provides a particularly structured pathway to developing an independent academic profile in Germany.

For further information about this opportunity, VISIT HERE.

For more doctoral, research, and international opportunities, visit www.opportunitiesforyouth.org.