Doctoral Researcher (m/f/diverse) - Position No. 2026-B-02

The German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) conducts high-quality research, offers independent policy advice, and facilitates transregional knowledge cooperation and training at the intersection of “development” and “sustainability”, with the aspiration to co-shape a collaborative multipolar world for sustainable futures.

We offer an excellent and support-intensive research environment in the field of development policy with regular research workshops with internationally recognized scientists, international conferences, and the opportunity to participate in research stays abroad.

IDOS Department Transformation of Economic and Social Systems is looking for a

Doctoral Researcher (m/f/diverse) - Position No. 2026-B-02

Part time 65%, 25,4 hours/week,

German public sector tariff, EG 13, TVoeD Bund , according to qualifications

40.000 – 58.000 Euro gross (65%)

The position may be filled as of 01 October 2026 and is limited to three years, with the option to extend for up to 9 more months maximum.

The position is located in the DFG funded Collaborative Research Center CRC 1780 “Food System Diversification for Sustainable Nutrition” (FoodDiverse) and precisely the subproject ‘Behavioral strategies to diversify food consumption’ located at IDOS and the University of Bonn under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Anna-Katharina Hornidge, Jun.-Prof. Dr. Dominic Lemken and Prof. Dr. Monika Hartmann. The CRC overall brings together expertise from the University of Bonn and IDOS to study relationships between diversification at various food system levels (e.g., agriculture, markets, diets) and planetary health in Germany and Ghana, in close cooperation with the University of Ghana. The researchers come from various disciplines (e.g., agronomy, agricultural economics, sociology, environmental sciences, ecology, nutrition, human health) and are integrated into 21 different CRC projects (see ).

We invite candidates who aspire to combine the acquisition of professional experience with the preparation of a PhD dissertation in the context of the IDOS dual PhD Programme. The PhD-research is designed as part of ‘FoodDiverse’ and specifically the sub-project focusing on ‘Behavioural Strategies to diversify Food Consumption’. At its center stands empirical research in Ghana and Germany around plant-based protein intake in different social groups, discourse and policy analyses around transformational consumption behaviour. The PhD will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Anna-Katharina Hornidge at IDOS and the University of Bonn, Faculty of Social Sciences as degree-holding institution.

In its semi-structured PhD program, IDOS combines a focus on both research and policy advice and offers a blend of: a) group mentoring and training activities, b) self-organized peer mentoring among the PhD group, and c) one-on-one mentoring with the PhD supervisors and mentors. The programme ensures excellent working conditions for the successful and timely completion of the PhD studies, as well as an effective combination of project and dissertation work. As a general rule, at least 50% of the working time is envisioned to be dedicated exclusively to working on the dissertation.

If you have obtained a foreign university degree, please attach the database excerpt from Anabin to your application documents as proof of recognition of the degree by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK).

Your tasks:

• Develop an individual PhD-research agenda including research question, conceptual and methodological design in the frame of the sub-project and the work-package ‘Discourse Analysis and Policy Options’; Conduct fieldwork in Ghana and Germany;
• Collaborate closely within the project ‘Behavioural Strategies to diversify Food Consumption’ and in FoodDiverse as a whole in order to jointly ensure the full implementation of the project;
• Collaborate closely with project partners in Germany and Ghana;
• Participate and contribute to IDOS dual PhD-programme, as well as to IDOS as an institute as a whole.

Qualifications and requirements:

• Masters degree in a relevant field of the social sciences (e.g. Human Geography, Sociology, Political Sciences, Anthropology) or in Agricultural and Nutrition Sciences;
• Proven knowledge in and experience with research methodologies in social sciences, esp. qualitative and ethnographic social research methods;
• Strong motivation and commitment towards pursuing a PhD;
• Research or work experience in Africa is an asset;
• Eagerness to work in an interdisciplinary, globally dispersed team;
• Strong writing, communication and organizational skills;
• Fluent written and spoken English, good command of German are an asset;
• Willingness and aptness to travel abroad, including countries with a tropical climate („Tropical suitability required“).

We offer:

• Flexible working hours with a weekly working time of 65%, 25,4 hours/week;
• Possibility of mobile working (“Homeoffice” within Germany up to 60% per week);
• Possibility to use a subsidized Deutschland-Job-Ticket and good access to public transportation;
• Special annual payment in accordance with TVoeD Bund “Collective agreement of the federal government”;
• Up to 30 days annual vacation plus 6 days company vacation;
• Trainings for further professional development;
• Employer's contribution to the company pension scheme at VBLU;
• Many more social and monetary benefits.

We actively promote equality between women and men as well as the diversity of all people in our institute. Therefore, we welcome applications from people of colour, people of all nationalities, religions and beliefs, sexual orientations and gender identities, all age groups and people with disabilities. We are also looking forward to receiving applications from people with a family migration history.

IDOS is certified by the audit workandfamily – Compatibility of work and family.

For further questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Anna-Katharina Hornidge ( [email protected] ).

Applications with the position number 2026-B-02with detailed documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae, relevant certificates) must be submitted exclusively via application portal by 14 June 2026 at 23:59 CET. Interviews are expected to take place in July 2026.