University of Tübingen Opens Applications for 6 Fully Funded PhD Positions in Global South Studies for 2027 ·Unknown

The University of Tübingen in Germany has announced applications for six fully funded doctoral researcher positions under its DFG Research Training Group (RTG) 3105: “Figurations of the Precarious in the Global South.”

The four-year PhD programme offers an opportunity for outstanding graduates to pursue interdisciplinary research in an international academic environment focused on social, political, cultural, and ecological issues affecting the Global South.

The positions are funded at E13 TV-L (75%) and are scheduled to begin on 1 April 2027. Applications close on 1 September 2026.

University of Tübingen Offers Fully Funded PhD Opportunities in Global South Studies

Hosted by the Interdisciplinary Centre for Global South Studies, the Research Training Group provides doctoral candidates with the opportunity to undertake innovative research while working alongside scholars from multiple disciplines.

The programme explores how people and communities across the Global South experience, interpret, and respond to different forms of precarity. Through collaborative research and international partnerships, the initiative seeks to generate new knowledge that contributes to global academic debates on inequality, resilience, and social transformation.

Successful candidates will receive funding for four years while completing their doctoral research in one of Germany’s leading research universities.

Research Focus: Figurations of the Precarious in the Global South

The Research Training Group investigates the concept of precarity from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Rather than examining precarity as a single condition, the programme explores how it is shaped by interconnected social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental factors across different regions of the Global South.

Researchers will study how individuals, communities, and institutions negotiate uncertain living conditions while developing innovative responses to complex global challenges.

The programme encourages comparative research across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, providing opportunities for international collaboration and cross-regional learning.

Five Interdisciplinary Research Areas

Doctoral candidates will contribute to research organised around five thematic research areas that examine different dimensions of precarity.

These research themes encourage scholars to explore issues such as:

• Social inequalities and marginalisation.
• Political and economic uncertainty.
• Environmental and ecological challenges.
• Cultural responses to precarious conditions.
• Community resilience and adaptation.

The interdisciplinary approach allows candidates to engage with perspectives from multiple academic fields while contributing original research to the growing field of Global South Studies.

Six Doctoral Positions Available

The University of Tübingen is recruiting six doctoral researchers for the programme.

Successful applicants will be employed on temporary research contracts under Germany’s public sector pay scale:

• Position: Doctoral Researcher
• Employment level: E13 TV-L (75%)
• Contract duration: Four years
• Start date: 1 April 2027

The positions provide financial support throughout the doctoral programme, enabling candidates to focus on their research within an internationally recognised academic environment.

Who Should Apply?

The programme is intended for academically outstanding graduates interested in interdisciplinary research on the Global South.

Applicants should have:

• An excellent Master’s degree in a relevant academic discipline.
• Expertise relating to one or more regions of the Global South.
• An innovative doctoral research proposal focusing on figurations of the precarious.
• Strong academic English language skills.
• An interest in interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Willingness to participate actively in the programme’s academic activities.

The university welcomes applicants whose research contributes fresh perspectives to discussions on precarity and global development.

Collaborative International Research Environment

One of the strengths of the programme is its emphasis on collaborative research.

Doctoral researchers will become part of an international academic community where they can:

• Work with scholars from different disciplines.
• Participate in seminars and workshops.
• Engage in international research collaboration.
• Contribute to collective academic activities.
• Develop interdisciplinary research skills.

The programme is designed to support both academic excellence and professional development throughout the doctoral journey.

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Study at One of Germany’s Leading Universities

The University of Tübingen is internationally recognised for its excellence in research and higher education.

Through the Interdisciplinary Centre for Global South Studies, doctoral candidates gain access to:

• Experienced academic supervisors.
• International research networks.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Academic conferences and seminars.
• Professional development opportunities.
• A vibrant international research community.

The programme provides an ideal environment for researchers seeking to address global challenges through innovative scholarship.

What Makes This PhD Programme Unique?

The Research Training Group combines funding, interdisciplinary learning, and international collaboration.

Key highlights include:

• Fully funded four-year doctoral positions.
• Employment under Germany’s E13 TV-L salary scale (75%).
• Research focused on pressing global issues.
• Collaboration across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• International academic environment.
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary research.
• Access to leading scholars in Global South Studies.

The programme encourages doctoral researchers to produce research that advances understanding of contemporary global challenges while contributing to international academic discussions.

Application Deadline

Interested candidates should prepare their application materials before the closing date.

Application deadline: 1 September 2026

Successful applicants will begin the programme on 1 April 2027.

Contact for Enquiries

Applicants seeking additional information about the doctoral programme may contact:

Programme Convenor:
Prof. Dr. Sebastian Thies

Email: sekretariat.ibero@romanistik.uni-tuebingen.de

Employment administration will be managed through the central administration of the University of Tübingen.

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Advance Your Academic Career in Global South Research

The University of Tübingen’s Research Training Group 3105 offers an exceptional opportunity for aspiring researchers interested in interdisciplinary Global South Studies.

With four years of funded doctoral research, international collaboration, and access to one of Germany’s leading universities, the programme provides an excellent platform for developing innovative scholarship on the social, political, cultural, and ecological dimensions of precarity.

Graduates with strong academic records and a passion for Global South research are encouraged to apply before the 1 September 2026 deadline.

APPLY HERE