The German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) is inviting applications for a Researcher (m/f/diverse) position within its Research Department “Environmental Governance.” The position focuses on water governance, water security, water politics, environmental governance, and policy advice, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and potentially conflict-affected settings.

The opportunity is particularly suited to researchers with a background in the social sciences, sustainability science, environmental governance, political ecology, or related fields, and with demonstrated research and publication experience on water security issues.

The successful candidate will become part of the IDOS water governance team, contributing to academic research, policy advice, networking, science communication, and potentially third-party funding applications for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects.

The position is based at IDOS in Bonn, Germany, is offered at 50% part-time employment equivalent to 19.5 hours per week, and is initially limited to three years, with a possible extension.

Researcher Position at IDOS: Overview

The German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) conducts research and provides policy advice at the intersection of development and sustainability. Its work aims to contribute to a cooperative and sustainable multipolar world through research, policy engagement, knowledge cooperation, and education.

For this vacancy, IDOS is seeking a researcher who can contribute to its work on water governance and water security, with a particular focus on issues affecting low- and middle-income countries.

Position details

• Position: Researcher (m/f/diverse)
• Position number: 2026-C-02
• Institution: German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
• Research Department: Environmental Governance
• Research area: Water governance and water security
• Location: Bonn, Germany
• Working time: 50% part-time
• Weekly hours: 19.5 hours per week
• Salary: German public sector tariff, EG13 up to EG14 TVöD Bund, depending on qualifications
• Gross salary: Approximately €31,250–€48,000 for a 50% position
• Start date: From 1 January 2027
• Contract duration: Three years, with a possible option for extension
• Potential increase in working time: The position may potentially increase to 60% in 2028 and 2029
• Application deadline: 7 October 2026 at 23:59 CEST
• Expected interview date: 3 November 2026

About the Research Area: Water Security

The researcher will join the IDOS water governance team and conduct research and policy advice on selected questions relating to water politics, water policies, water governance, and water security.

The work will focus particularly on low- and middle-income countries and may include settings affected by conflict or other forms of instability.

Water security is understood broadly as ensuring access to an acceptable quantity and quality of water for:

• Human health
• Livelihoods
• Ecosystems
• Economic and productive activities

It also considers the need to maintain an acceptable level of water-related risks for people, the environment, and economies.

This broad definition means that the successful researcher could work across several interconnected dimensions of water security.

Key Water Security Topics

Research under this position may address one or more of the following areas:

1. Surface and Groundwater Use

The role may examine the governance and political dimensions of surface and groundwater resources, including:

• Overuse of water resources
• Groundwater governance
• Surface-water management
• Competition over water resources
• Institutional arrangements for water management
• Policies governing water use
• Environmental and social impacts of water exploitation

2. Wastewater Treatment and Reuse

The researcher may also investigate issues surrounding:

• Wastewater treatment
• Wastewater management
• Reuse of treated wastewater
• Governance of wastewater systems
• Environmental risks
• Policy frameworks for wastewater reuse
• Sustainable approaches to water resource management

3. Water-Related Extreme Events

Another potential area of research involves water-related risks and extreme events, such as:

• Flooding
• Drought
• Water scarcity
• Climate-related water risks
• Disaster risk governance
• Institutional responses to extreme events
• Policies for adapting to changing water-related risks

4. Access to Sanitation Services

The position may also cover questions related to:

• Access to sanitation
• Sanitation governance
• Public policy
• Inequality in access to services
• Institutional challenges
• Sustainable sanitation systems
• Health and environmental implications of inadequate sanitation

5. Transboundary and Multilateral Water Relations

The researcher may conduct research on water relations that cross national borders, including:

• Transboundary water governance
• International water politics
• Cooperation between countries
• Water-related conflicts
• Multilateral water governance
• International institutions and agreements
• Political dimensions of shared water resources

Main Responsibilities

The successful candidate will have responsibilities spanning research, policy advice, networking, communication, and funding development.

Conducting Academic Research

The researcher will undertake independent and collaborative research related to water security and governance.

The role requires the ability to identify important research questions, develop appropriate conceptual frameworks, conduct research, analyse findings, and communicate results to academic and policy audiences.

Research may involve studying institutional arrangements, political processes, environmental governance systems, and the relationships between different levels of government and stakeholders.

Providing Policy Advice

An important part of the position is translating research into useful knowledge for policymakers and other stakeholders.

The successful applicant should therefore be comfortable working beyond purely academic research and responding to demands for policy advice.

This could involve:

• Developing policy-oriented research outputs
• Communicating research findings to policymakers
• Contributing to policy discussions
• Responding to emerging policy questions
• Translating complex research findings into accessible recommendations
• Engaging with stakeholders outside academia

Supporting IDOS Networking and Positioning

The researcher will also contribute to the institute’s broader networking and positioning on water security topics.

This involves helping IDOS strengthen its profile and relationships in the field of water governance and security.

The successful applicant is expected to engage with relevant researchers, institutions, policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders.

Supporting Third-Party Funding Applications

The position also provides an opportunity to contribute to the development of externally funded research.

Candidates are encouraged to support third-party funding applications for inter- and transdisciplinary projects related to water security.

Experience with third-party funding acquisition is considered an advantage.

The possibility of increasing the position to 60% in 2028 and 2029 is connected to successful acquisition of third-party funding.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate a strong academic and research background relevant to the position.

Master’s Degree

A Master’s degree is required.

The degree should preferably be in an area such as:

• Social sciences
• Political science
• Economics
• Human geography
• Anthropology
• Sustainability science with a social science focus
• Another closely related field

PhD Preferred

A PhD is preferably expected, although the advertisement does not state that it is an absolute requirement.

Applicants with strong research experience and relevant publications may therefore be considered based on their overall qualifications.

Excellent Academic Performance

The position calls for candidates with excellent grades in their relevant university education.

Research Experience in Water Security

One of the most important requirements is demonstrated social science research experience in one or more of the specified water security fields.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate their research expertise through peer-reviewed academic publications, including submissions.

Relevant research areas include:

• Surface-water governance
• Groundwater governance
• Water overuse
• Wastewater treatment
• Wastewater reuse
• Water-related extreme events
• Sanitation
• Transboundary water governance
• Multilateral water relations
• Water politics
• Water policy
• Water security
• Environmental governance
• Political ecology

Applicants do not necessarily need to have worked across every one of these areas. Experience in at least one of the specified water security topics can be relevant.

Conceptual and Theoretical Skills

The successful candidate should have strong conceptual abilities, particularly in areas such as:

Institutional Analysis

The ability to examine how institutions shape environmental and water governance processes is important for this role.

Multi-Level Environmental Governance

Applicants should understand how water-related decisions and governance operate across different levels, potentially involving:

• Local institutions
• Communities
• Municipal authorities
• National governments
• Regional organisations
• International institutions
• Other relevant stakeholders

Political Ecology

Knowledge of political ecology is also relevant, particularly for understanding the relationships between:

• Environmental resources
• Political power
• Institutions
• Communities
• Economic interests
• Inequality
• Resource access

Research Methodology Requirements

The position requires experience with qualitative research methodologies in the social sciences.

Applicants should therefore be able to demonstrate familiarity with approaches used to investigate complex social, political, institutional, and environmental questions.

Mixed Methods

Experience with mixed-methods research is considered an additional asset.

Candidates who can combine qualitative approaches with quantitative data, statistical analysis, surveys, or other methods may therefore have an advantage.

Experience in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Research or professional experience in a low- or middle-income country context is specifically required.

This is an important aspect of the position because IDOS’s work on water security focuses particularly on challenges and governance systems in such contexts.

Relevant experience could include research, fieldwork, professional work, development projects, policy work, or other substantive engagement with low- and middle-income country settings.

Policy and Science Communication Experience

The successful applicant should be willing to engage in:

• Policy advice
• Science communication
• Research dissemination
• Stakeholder engagement
• Communication with non-academic audiences

Previous experience in policy advice or science communication is considered an advantage.

Third-Party Funding Experience

Experience with third-party funding acquisition is an asset.

Candidates who have participated in activities such as:

• Grant proposal development
• Research funding applications
• Consortium development
• Donor engagement
• Fundraising for research projects
• Competitive funding applications

may therefore be particularly well positioned for the role.

Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Collaboration

IDOS is looking for someone who is eager to work in inter- and transdisciplinary teams.

This means the researcher should be comfortable collaborating across disciplinary boundaries and potentially working with people from academia, government, civil society, development organisations, practitioners, and other stakeholder groups.

Communication and Organisational Skills

Strong skills in the following areas are expected:

• Academic writing
• Policy writing
• Professional communication
• Organisation
• Independent work
• Research planning
• Collaboration
• Time management

The advertisement particularly emphasises the ability to work in a self-directed manner.

The researcher should also have the flexibility to respond to changing demands for policy advice.

International Travel and Tropical-Country Work

The position requires a willingness and ability to travel abroad, including to countries with tropical climates.

The advertisement specifically mentions “Tropentauglichkeit,” referring to the ability or suitability to work and travel in tropical-climate environments.

Candidates should therefore be prepared for international research or professional travel where required.

Employment Conditions and Salary

The position is offered on a 50% part-time basis, equivalent to 19.5 hours per week.

The salary follows the German public-sector pay system:

EG13 up to EG14 TVöD Bund, depending on the applicant’s qualifications.

The advertised gross salary range for the 50% position is approximately:

€31,250 to €48,000 gross

The position is initially limited to three years, beginning from January 2027, with a possible option for contract extension.

There is also an opportunity for the position to increase to 60% in 2028 and 2029, depending on successful third-party funding acquisition.

Benefits and What IDOS Offers

IDOS lists a range of employment and social benefits for the successful candidate.

Flexible Working Hours

The role provides flexible working arrangements within the 50% working-time framework.

The standard working week is:

19.5 hours per week

Mobile Working

The position offers the possibility of mobile working from within Germany for up to 60% of the working time per week.

At least 40% of working time per week must be spent in person in Bonn.

This means candidates should be prepared to work from the IDOS workplace in Bonn for the required proportion of their working time.

Public Transportation Benefits

Employees can make use of a subsidised Deutschland-Job-Ticket, supporting access to public transportation.

The institute also highlights good access to public transport.

Special Annual Payment

Employees receive a special annual payment in accordance with the TVöD Bund collective agreement for the German federal government.

Annual Leave

The position includes:

• Up to 30 days of annual vacation
• An additional 6 days of company vacation

Professional Development

IDOS offers training opportunities intended to support employees’ continuing professional development.

These may help researchers strengthen their academic, professional, methodological, and organisational skills.

Pension Scheme

The employer contributes to the company pension scheme through VBLU.

Additional Benefits

IDOS also notes that employees can receive additional social and monetary benefits beyond those specifically listed in the vacancy announcement.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity

IDOS explicitly states that it actively promotes equality between women and men and diversity within the institute.

The organisation welcomes applications from people of different backgrounds and explicitly states that it welcomes:

• People of colour
• People of all nationalities
• People of all religions and beliefs
• People of different sexual orientations
• People of all gender identities
• People across all age groups
• People with disabilities
• People with a family migration history

Therefore, the vacancy is not limited to applicants from Germany or Europe on the basis of nationality.

Qualified applicants from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Oceania, and other regions can apply, provided they meet the academic, research, professional, and other requirements of the position.

Recognition of Foreign University Degrees

Applicants who obtained their university degree outside Germany have an additional documentation requirement.

They should attach the relevant Anabin database excerpt to their application documents as evidence of recognition of the foreign degree by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK).

International applicants should therefore pay particular attention to this requirement before submitting their applications.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is particularly relevant for researchers who have a combination of:

1. A Master’s degree or preferably a PhD in a relevant social science or sustainability field.
2. Strong academic performance.
3. Research experience related to water security.
4. Peer-reviewed publications or submissions demonstrating relevant research experience.
5. Experience with qualitative social science research.
6. Research or professional experience in a low- or middle-income country.
7. Knowledge of institutional analysis, environmental governance, or political ecology.
8. An interest in water politics, water policy, and water governance.
9. Strong academic and professional writing skills.
10. An interest in policy advice and science communication.
11. An ability to work independently.
12. An interest in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research.
13. Willingness to travel internationally, including to tropical countries.

Experience with mixed methods and third-party research funding is an additional advantage.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit their application through the IDOS application portal.

Applications must include the following documents:

1. Cover Letter

A cover letter outlining the candidate’s:

• Motivation for applying
• Interest in the position
• Relevant qualifications
• Research background
• Suitability for the water governance team

2. Curriculum Vitae

The CV should include:

• Academic background
• Professional experience
• Research experience
• Relevant skills
• Publications
• Other relevant qualifications

The CV should contain a full publication list.

Applicants should also provide their relevant academic certificates.

3. Employment References

German employment letters, known as Arbeitszeugnisse, should be provided where available.

4. Two Letters of Reference

Applicants should also provide two letters of reference, preferably together with the application.

If this is not possible at the application stage, shortlisted candidates may be permitted to submit the reference letters at a later stage.

File Submission Requirements

There are specific restrictions on the number and format of files that can be uploaded.

Applicants should note that:

• A maximum of 4 files can be attached.
• All files must be submitted in PDF format.
• Each file can have a maximum size of 10 MB.

Applicants should therefore organise their documents carefully so that all required materials can be submitted within the four-file limit.

Why This Opportunity May Be Valuable for Researchers

This IDOS position provides an opportunity to combine academic research with policy engagement.

Unlike a position focused exclusively on academic publication, the role brings together several dimensions of research and development work, including:

• Water security research
• Environmental governance
• Water politics
• Policy advice
• Science communication
• International research
• Networking
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Third-party funding development

The position may be particularly attractive to researchers interested in understanding how water-related challenges are shaped not only by environmental conditions but also by institutions, political systems, policies, power relations, and governance structures.

The focus on low- and middle-income countries also makes the position relevant for researchers whose academic or professional work has involved development, sustainability, international cooperation, environmental policy, or governance challenges in these contexts.

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Final Summary

The German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) is recruiting a Researcher (m/f/diverse) for its Environmental Governance Research Department, with a focus on water governance and water security.

The researcher will contribute to research and policy advice on issues including groundwater and surface-water governance, wastewater treatment and reuse, water-related extreme events, sanitation, and transboundary or multilateral water relations. The work will particularly focus on low- and middle-income countries and potentially conflict-affected settings.

The position is offered at 50% part-time employment, equivalent to 19.5 hours per week, with a salary of approximately €31,250–€48,000 gross for the 50% position, depending on qualifications and the applicable TVöD classification. The contract is initially for three years, with a possible extension and potential increase to 60% in 2028 and 2029 based on successful third-party funding acquisition.

Candidates should have a relevant Master’s degree and preferably a PhD, strong academic performance, demonstrated social science research experience in water security, relevant peer-reviewed publications, qualitative research experience, and experience in a low- or middle-income country context. Knowledge of institutional analysis, multi-level environmental governance, and political ecology is particularly relevant.

The application deadline is 7 October 2026 at 23:59 CEST, and the expected interview date is 3 November 2026.

Overall, this is a strong opportunity for an experienced social science or sustainability researcher seeking to work at the intersection of water security, environmental governance, international development, academic research, and policy advice in an internationally oriented research institution in Germany.

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