Up to 3 PhD Scholarships in Germany with €1,650 Monthly Stipend at the University of Vechta

The University of Vechta in Germany is inviting applications for up to three PhD scholarships within the doctoral college “Justice Dimensions of Sustainability-Oriented Transformation Processes in Rural Areas” (PK 060).

Funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation, the doctoral college focuses on understanding the social justice challenges associated with sustainability-oriented transformation processes, with particular attention to rural areas.

The programme brings together research on sustainability, social justice, rural development, environmental change, technological transformation and other related areas. It welcomes researchers from several academic disciplines and supports both qualitative and quantitative research approaches, with quantitative and mixed-methods research explicitly encouraged.

The scholarships are expected to begin between June and September 2027 and can be awarded for a maximum of three years.

The application deadline is November 2, 2026.

About the Doctoral College

The doctoral college is affiliated with the Vechta Institute of Sustainability Transformation in Rural Areas (VISTRA) at the University of Vechta.

Sustainability transformation has become an important subject of scientific, political and social discussion. However, major transformation processes can have different consequences for different groups within society.

While some people may benefit from new technologies, policies and economic opportunities, others may experience negative consequences or what the programme describes as “transformation pains.”

These differences raise important questions about social justice.

The doctoral college seeks to address these questions by investigating how sustainability-oriented transformations affect people and communities and how transformation processes can be designed in ways that are considered fair and socially just.

Particular attention is given to rural areas, where sustainability transformations can have distinctive economic, social, environmental and technological consequences.

The programme aims to make a significant contribution to research in this area through a comparative case study approach across individual doctoral projects.

Research Areas and Possible PhD Topics

The doctoral college provides several examples of research topics that could be explored through doctoral projects. These examples are not intended to represent an exhaustive list.

Transformation of the Energy Sector

Research could examine issues surrounding energy affordability and the emergence of new forms of inequality between urban and rural areas.

Potential areas of investigation include the distribution of costs and benefits associated with energy transitions and how changes in the energy sector affect different communities.

Spatial Justice

Applicants may explore questions related to fairness and equality across geographical spaces.

Possible topics include:

• Equitable livelihoods
• Social places
• Local resilience
• Rural and urban inequalities
• Access to opportunities and resources

Normative Uncertainty

Another possible area of research concerns uncertainty about what constitutes the appropriate ethical standard for designing just sustainability transformations.

This could involve examining the theoretical and practical difficulties involved in determining what a fair transformation should look like.

Risk, Uncertainty and Perceived Justice

Research may also examine how risk and uncertainty influence people’s perceptions of justice and injustice during transformation processes.

Socio-Technical Transitions and Innovation

The doctoral college is interested in justice-related questions arising from technological and innovation processes.

Potential examples include:

• Digitalisation
• Bio-economy
• Socio-technical transitions
• Innovation processes
• Technological change in rural areas

Nature and Climate Protection Policies

Applicants may investigate the justice-related consequences of policies designed to protect nature and address climate change.

Research could consider issues such as:

• Urban-rural relationships
• Climate protection policies
• Nature conservation
• Relationships between the Global North and Global South

Gender Justice

Another potential area is the role of gender justice in the design and implementation of sustainability-oriented transformation processes.

Trade Unions and Just Transformations

Applicants may also investigate how trade unions contribute to shaping sustainability transformations and ensuring that these processes are socially just.

The programme is open to other research topics where the proposed project clearly contributes to its overall focus on justice, sustainability transformation and rural areas.

Academic Disciplines

The doctoral college welcomes applications from academic fields that are relevant to its research programme.

These include:

• Human geography
• Social sciences
• Applied ethics
• Economics
• Sustainability science
• Psychology

Research proposals from related academic fields may also be considered where they fit the overall objectives of the doctoral college.

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Research Methodologies

The programme supports a range of research methodologies.

Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches are welcome.

Applicants proposing quantitative or mixed-methods research are explicitly encouraged to apply.

The comparative case study approach used by the doctoral college provides an opportunity for individual doctoral projects to contribute to a broader understanding of sustainability-oriented transformation processes.

Language Requirements

Applicants are required to have good knowledge of both German and English.

The minimum language levels specified in the call are:

• German: B2
• English: C1

Although German language proficiency is required for the application, the doctoral thesis may be written in English.

Applicants should therefore ensure that they can meet the required language standards before submitting their application.

Financial Support

Successful scholarship holders will receive a monthly stipend of €1,650.

The monthly funding consists of:

• €1,550 basic stipend
• €100 lump sum for research costs

Additional financial support may also be available.

This includes:

• A health insurance contribution of up to €100
• A family allowance, where applicable

The scholarships are awarded for a maximum of three years.

The standard funding period may be extended in justified cases.

Start Date and Duration

The doctoral fellowships are expected to begin between June and September 2027.

Funding can continue for a maximum of three years, subject to the applicable scholarship conditions.

The funding period is intended to provide doctoral researchers with sufficient time to develop and complete their research within the framework of the doctoral college.

Academic and Professional Development

The doctoral college offers more than financial support.

Scholarship holders will participate in an academic environment designed to encourage research development, collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The programme provides:

Thematic Workshops

Scholarship holders will have access to workshops related to the central themes of sustainability transformation and social justice.

Methodological Workshops

Researchers will also have opportunities to strengthen their methodological knowledge and research skills.

Collaborative Research Environment

The doctoral college supports collaboration among scholarship holders and participating researchers.

This is intended to create a motivating and supportive environment where researchers can exchange ideas, discuss challenges and strengthen their individual doctoral projects.

National and International Research Network

The doctoral college has established connections with national and international research institutions.

The network includes:

• Leuphana University Lüneburg
• Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research
• Basque Center for Climate Change
• Lund University
• Copernicus Institute/Utrecht University
• University of Vermont

These partnerships provide an opportunity to complement and deepen the expertise available within the doctoral college.

They may also provide opportunities for academic exchange and engagement with researchers working on sustainability transformation, climate change, rural development and related issues.

Application Requirements

Applicants are required to submit the necessary application documents together with an exposé of no more than 10 pages.

The exposé should clearly outline the proposed doctoral research project and explain how it fits within the research programme of the doctoral college.

The proposal should make clear:

1. The research problem being addressed
2. The main research questions
3. The academic field in which the research is situated
4. The methodology that will be used
5. The sustainability transformation being examined
6. The justice dimensions of the research
7. The relevance of rural areas to the project
8. How the project contributes to the broader objectives of the doctoral college

Applicants should ensure that their research proposal is clearly connected to the central theme of justice dimensions of sustainability-oriented transformation processes in rural areas.

Discuss Your Research Project Before Applying

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the academic leadership of the doctoral college before submitting their application.

The programme indicates that promising applicants may receive support from the academic leadership in revising and adapting their exposé where necessary.

This support can help ensure that the proposed project fits the themes and requirements of the doctoral programme.

Applicants can contact:

Prof. Dr. Jana Zscheischler
Email: jana.zscheischler@uni-vechta.de

Prof. Dr. John Oliver Engler
Email: john-oliver.engler@uni-vechta.de

The exposé will subsequently undergo academic review.

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How to Apply

Applications must be submitted exclusively through the Hans Böckler Foundation’s online application portal.

Applicants should prepare the required documents and research exposé before submitting their application.

The application deadline is:

November 2, 2026

Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline and allow enough time to prepare a well-developed research proposal.

For information about the doctoral college and its research programme, applicants can consult the University of Vechta’s VISTRA doctoral college information.

Selection Process

Doctoral fellowship decisions will be made according to BMBF guidelines and Hans Böckler Foundation selection criteria.

The application process includes academic assessment of the proposed research project.

Promising applicants may be supported in revising their exposé to better align the project with the doctoral college’s research programme and requirements.

The successful scholarship recipients are expected to be announced in May 2027.

Important Dates

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Applicants should pay close attention to how their proposed research connects with the central focus of the doctoral college.

A strong research proposal should clearly demonstrate:

• Why the selected sustainability transformation is important
• Which communities or groups are affected
• What justice-related questions arise
• Why rural areas are important to the research
• What gap in existing research the project will address
• Which research methodology will be used
• Why the selected methodology is appropriate
• How the project contributes to discussions on sustainability and social justice

Applicants proposing quantitative or mixed-methods projects should clearly explain how their methodological approach will help answer their research questions.

It is also advisable to contact the programme leadership before submitting the application, as the doctoral college specifically encourages prospective applicants to discuss their projects in advance.

Conclusion

The University of Vechta’s doctoral college “Justice Dimensions of Sustainability-Oriented Transformation Processes in Rural Areas” provides an opportunity for doctoral researchers to investigate some of the most important questions surrounding sustainability, social justice and rural transformation.

Up to three PhD scholarships will be awarded, with successful researchers receiving a €1,650 monthly stipend, possible additional support for health insurance and family costs, and access to thematic and methodological workshops.

The programme also offers an academic network involving national and international research institutions, providing opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Researchers working in areas such as economics, sustainability science, social sciences, human geography, applied ethics and psychology may find the programme particularly relevant, especially those developing quantitative or mixed-methods research projects.

Prospective applicants should carefully develop an exposé of no more than 10 pages and clearly demonstrate how their research fits within the doctoral college’s focus.

The application deadline is November 2, 2026. Fellowships are expected to begin between June and September 2027 and may run for up to three years.

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