Deadline: October 12, 2026
Applications are open for the Zukunftskolleg Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026. The Zukunftskolleg offers postdoctoral researchers independence for their research, interdisciplinary and intergenerational exchange as well as intra-university integration and international contacts.
Each fellow is a member of both a university department and the Zukunftskolleg. Additionally, fellows of the Zukunftskolleg can be affiliated to the Clusters of Excellence at the University of Konstanz: “Politics of Inequality” or to the “Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour”. The target group consists of excellent early career postdoctoral researchers who demonstrate scientific excellence, research independence, and a strong capacity for teamwork, indicating high potential for a successful academic career.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement your research project
- Build up your own research profile
- You are expected to participate actively in the regular weekly meetings of the Zukunftskolleg and to contribute to the Zukunftskolleg in creating a team of exciting interdisciplinary postdoctoral researchers
- Have your place of residence in Konstanz or its surroundings
Benefits
Postdoctoral Fellows profit from all support measures available at the Zukunftskolleg:
- they receive an annual research allowance e.g. for funding research assistants or equipment;
- they are eligible to apply for co-funding;
- Senior Fellowships and the Mentorship Programme give them the opportunity to invite distinguished colleagues to Konstanz;
- they can go on a temporary Research Visit abroad or nominate international early career researchers for a Research Visit at the Zukunftskolleg;
- they are eligible to apply for funding for cooperative initiatives or for funding for particular career stages;
- they receive non-monetary support like coaching, professional career counseling or in grant proposal writing;
- they get financial support to organise and run a scientific retreat.
Eligibility
- You should be in possession of a doctoral degree granted between 30 September 2024 and 1 October 2026. Earlier graduation dates may be accepted in case of maternity/paternity leave, or working contracts outside academia.
- Candidates must not hold a permanent professorship, or have a habilitation or equivalent (Venia legendi).
- Candidates with their own position funded by another programme, which can be transferred to Konstanz, are also eligible.
- Applicants must propose a research project that ties in with a discipline represented at the University of Konstanz. They are invited to include in their motivation letter a reflection note on how their research relates to the 17 SDGs of the UN.
- Applicants should contact potential local host among the researchers at the University of Konstanz in order to ensure appropriate affiliation. Support from a department strengstens the application.
- International experience in teaching or research, and a strong interest in interdisciplinary topics are an asset.
- The working language is English. Proficiency in English is required.
Application
All applications should contain the following supporting materials:
- letter of motivation (1 page max, eligibility criterion*)
- research proposal (5 pages max, including references, eligibility criterion*)
- curriculum vitae
- writing sample (30 single pages max, eligibility criterion*)
- two letters of reference
*If the length of 1, 2 and 4 exceeds the max. allowed number of pages, your application will be ineligible and will not be considered further.
For more information, visit Zukunftskolleg Postdoctoral Fellowships.
