PhD student positions for the Collaborative Research Center CRC-TRR 228 "Future Rural Africa. F[...]

Overview

PhD student positions for the Collaborative Research Center CRC‑TRR 228 “Future Rural Africa” – Future‑making and social‑ecological transformation at the University of Bonn.

Start date: April 1 2026. Duration: 3 years 9 months.

Application deadline: January 18 2026.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct field experiments in Kenya to determine the effect of agricultural management practices on Parthenium hysterophorus (Parthenium) invasion, soil water dynamics and crop performance.
• Link soil and plant data to economic experimental data to quantify the direct impact of interventions (e.g. training, subsidised inputs, or technical support) on the adoption of Parthenium management practices and their effects on soil properties, Parthenium control, and crop performance.
• Take a proactive approach and strive to work increasingly independently in conducting your research.
• Use the opportunity to shape the research based on your own ideas.
• Actively engage with a multidisciplinary research team.
• Present research results at international conferences and workshops.
• Write and publish research articles in peer‑reviewed journals.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in plant, soil, or environmental systems sciences, ecology, or related fields.
• Experience in conducting experimental work – from data collection and laboratory analyses to data analyses using statistical software environment R.
• Excellent oral and written English language and communication skills.
• Enthusiasm for advancing knowledge, open‑mindedness, team spirit, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Meticulous and motivated work attitude, aspiration to keep improving and extending your own skill set.
• Strong interest in plant‑soil interactions, invasion ecology, soil physics, economic experiments, and/or interdisciplinary work is a plus.

Offer

• Stimulating, international research environment.
• Excellent network of multidisciplinary research partners.
• Opportunity to conduct research towards a Ph.D. degree.
• Support in personal career development.
• Salary according to the German Federal pay scale (70% TV‑L E13).

Application Procedure

Please submit your application electronically quoting reference 2025/288, in one combined PDF file, to Jun. Prof. Dr. Janina Dierks ( ) by January 18 2026. Make sure to specify the email subject as “PhD application CRC‑B01”. Application documents must be written in English and include a motivation letter (max. 1 page), names and contact details of two reference persons, CV (no photo and no date of birth), transcript of Master’s degree (and diploma if available), and your Master’s thesis. For further information regarding the position, please contact Jun. Prof. Dr. Janina Dierks via email, with subject as specified above.

EEO Statement

The University of Bonn is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. It is certified as a family‑friendly university. The University of Bonn seeks to increase female representation in staffing areas where women are underrepresented and provide special career support. It thus expressly encourages qualified women to apply. Applications will be handled in accordance with the NRW State Gender Equality Act (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz, LGG NRW). Applications from qualified candidates with a certified severe disability or from those of equal status are especially welcome.