Humboldt Postdoc Fellowship in Global Public Health × Media/Visual Arts

The Design and Implementation Research working group at the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University (Germany) is currently looking for one female or gender minority postdoctoral research fellow (fulltime) working at the intersection of public health and any of the following :

• Documentary or nonfiction filmmaking
• Visual or participatory methods
• Media-based or narrative health communication
• Visual arts, storytelling, or creative research dissemination

Existing research can include methodological or empirical work provided it is grounded in public health–relevant research questions. You are a good fit for this postdoctoral fellowship if you:

• have completed a PhD within the past 4 years (or will complete it very soon)
• are at the postdoctoral or early‑career researcher stage
• are currently based outside of Germany
• are open to relocating to Germany for the duration of the fellowship
• have a strong academic profile in global health research and innovative media or visual arts approaches
• have a strong interest or experience in developing and studying narrative, media‑based, and creative dissemination strategies that make research more accessible, inclusive, and impactful
• are fluent in English (other languages are an asset)

The Heidelberg Institute of Global Health & the Design and Implementation Research Group

This fellowship will be hosted by the Design and Implementation Research in Global Health group within the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH) – one of Europe’s leading centers for global public health research. The institute is within the Faculty of Medicine at Heidelberg University. The work of the Design and Implementation Research Group entails:

• Design-oriented and systems‑informed approaches Exploring how design thinking, iterative adaptation, and context‑sensitive innovation can improve the equity, sustainability, and effectiveness of health programs.
• Implementation science and health systems research Studying how policies and interventions are translated into practice in real‑world settings, particularly in low‑ and middle‑income countries.
• Qualitative and participatory methodologies Using in‑depth interviews, ethnography, visual and creative methods, and co‑production approaches to understand lived experience, power, and institutional dynamics in health systems.

Under the leadership of PD Dr. Shannon McMahon with Dr. Mark Renosa and Dr. Jonas Wachinger our work spans collaborative projects in sub‑Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Europe, and is grounded in long‑term partnerships with academic institutions, ministries of health, and health system actors.

What this means for you as a Postdoctoral Fellow

Joining our team, you would:

• Develop an independent but connected research agenda within global public health
• Engage with a vibrant interdisciplinary environment across medicine, social sciences, and creative fields
• Contribute to ongoing projects while shaping new methodological and conceptual directions
• Experiment with visual, media‑based, narrative, or arts‑informed approaches to research and dissemination
• Be actively supported in developing further grants within and beyond Germany (e.g. the DFG, European Research Council, Horizon Europe)

What is the Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers?

This position is funded via a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Widely regarded as one of Germany’s most prestigious and competitive research fellowships, the Humboldt Fellowship enables independence for international early‑career researchers at universities in Germany by offering a stipend, additional allowances for research costs, travel and family members, and access to an extensive alumni network. Further details of the Humboldt Foundation are available here. As a scout for the program, PD Dr. Shannon McMahon is currently tasked with identifying and nominating outstanding female or gender minority international researchers to join the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health as a Humboldt Research Fellow.

How to apply

Interested researchers should first contact our team at: with the subject line: PH & Visual Arts Fellowship.

Please include:

• A short academic CV (max. 2–3 pages)
• A brief research statement (1–2 pages) outlining your proposed project idea at the intersection of Global/Public Health and Media/Visual Arts
• One or two selected publications or work samples (academic and/or creative)