Three to five 2-year Postdoctoral Fellowships at the Zukunftskolleg

2-year Postdoctoral Fellowships are for all those in the early stage of their career who plan to develop and implement an independent research project.

Within the Synergy Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme we open the possibility to (academic) partners to apply. This programme allows two researchers with different disciplinary backgrounds to work on a single project, each contributing their own topical or methodological expertise, while having the opportunity to sharpen their individual research profiles. Each researcher will be awarded an individual Postdoctoral Fellowship.

The Zukunftskolleg provides them with a professional infrastructure and an appropriate workplace for conducting research. Each fellow receives an annual research allowance, e.g. for funding research assistants or equipment. Furthermore, the Zukunftskolleg gives financial support for start-up, consumables and travel costs, and assists in developing academic skills.

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"and the "Centre for the Advanced Study of CollectivA Behaviour". Furthermore, one Cluster-Zukunftskolleg Fellowship related to the study of collective behaviour can be funded by the "Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour" directly. An additional Cluster-Zukunftskolleg Fellowship can be funded by the Cluster of Excellence “Politics of Inequality” for projects investigating the political causes and consequences of inequality.

A mentoring committee supports each fellow in her/his career development. This committee consists of an experienced researcher from the Fellow’s research field within the university department, as well as an advanced Research Fellow of the Zukunftskolleg.

Fellows have a work contract with the University of Konstanz and are expected to have their place of residence in Konstanz. They participate actively in the regular weekly meetings (Jour Fixe) of the Zukunftskolleg and have an opportunity to teach.

In order to be eligible, candidates must fulfill all eligibility criteria:

• Applicants should be in possession of a doctoral degree granted between October 16, 2018 and December 31, 2020. Earlier graduation dates can 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 program, 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. Applicants should contact potential mentors (Local Academic Partner) among the researchers at the University of Konstanz in order to ensure appropriate affiliation. Support from a department strengthens the application;
• International experience in teaching or research, and a strong interest in interdisciplinary topics are desirable.

The following documents are required to submit the application:

• A complete application form;
• Motivation letter (1 page max);
• Project outline (5 pages max);
• Curriculum vitae;
• Copies of all relevant degree certificates;
• Writing sample (30 pages max);
• Two letters of reference.