10 Fully Funded PhD Positions in Urban Health at the University of Bonn, Germany – Urban Future Research Training Group 2027

<p>The <strong>University of Bonn</strong> and <strong>Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences</strong> are inviting applications for <strong>10 doctoral research positions</strong> under the DFG Research Training Group (RTG) <strong>“Urban Future – Managing Transformations for Better Health in Blue Cities.”</strong></p> <p>The interdisciplinary doctoral programme focuses on the relationship between <strong>urbanisation, water, public health, ecological sustainability and social justice</strong>, with particular attention to cities located along rivers and coastlines.</p> <p>Starting in <strong>April 2027</strong>, successful candidates will join a structured four-year doctoral programme that combines individual PhD research with interdisciplinary training, seminars, systems-thinking approaches, transdisciplinary research methods and professional development.</p> <p>The programme is particularly relevant to graduates interested in <strong>urban health, public health, climate change, water-health systems, governance, environmental sustainability, infectious diseases, urban planning, ecological systems, development studies and social sciences</strong>.</p> <p>Successful doctoral researchers will receive a <strong>four-year doctoral support contract with remuneration based on TV-L pay grade 13 (65%)</strong>, according to the German public-sector salary scale. Employment will be at either the University of Bonn or Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences.</p> <p>The application deadline is <strong>19 October 2026</strong>.</p> <h2>About the Urban Future Research Training Group</h2> <p>The DFG Research Training Group “Urban Future” examines how cities can manage urban transformations in ways that improve <strong>public health, ecological sustainability and social equity</strong>.</p> <p>The programme uses the concept of the <strong>“Blue City”</strong> to describe urban areas situated along rivers or coastlines where water is considered more than simply a resource or a potential hazard. Instead, water becomes an integral part of:</p> <ul> <li>Urban planning</li> <li>Infrastructure development</li> <li>Environmental management</li> <li>Public health</li> <li>Social systems</li> <li>Urban identity</li> <li>Climate adaptation</li> <li>Ecological sustainability</li> </ul> <p>The research programme recognises that cities are complex systems in which environmental, social, economic, political and health-related factors interact.</p> <p>Researchers will therefore investigate the connections between <strong>urban transformation, water-related challenges and health outcomes</strong>, particularly in rapidly changing urban environments.</p> <p>A major emphasis is placed on cities in the <strong>Global South</strong>, which serve as important living laboratories for understanding urban transformation and developing solutions that can contribute to healthier and more sustainable cities.</p> <p>However, applicants are not restricted to research sites in the Global South. Candidates are free to propose research sites in <strong>any Blue City worldwide</strong>, provided that the proposed research aligns with the objectives of the programme.</p> <h2>Universities and International Research Network</h2> <p>The Research Training Group is jointly operated by:</p> <ul> <li><strong>University of Bonn</strong></li> <li><strong>Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences</strong></li> </ul> <p>It works in cooperation with the <strong>German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)</strong> and a network of international partner universities.</p> <p>The international partnership includes institutions in:</p> <ul> <li>Ghana</li> <li>Togo</li> <li>Cameroon</li> <li>Brazil</li> <li>Japan</li> </ul> <p>The listed partner institutions include:</p> <ul> <li>KNUST – Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana</li> <li>University of Ghana, Ghana</li> <li>University of Cape Coast, Ghana</li> <li>University of Lomé, Togo</li> <li>University of Buea, Cameroon</li> <li>University of São Paulo, Brazil</li> <li>The University of Tokyo, Japan</li> </ul> <p>This international structure gives doctoral researchers an opportunity to work within a research environment that connects European and Global South perspectives on urban health, sustainability and transformation.</p> <h1>Four Research Themes of the Urban Future PhD Programme</h1> <p>The doctoral programme is organised around four major interdisciplinary research themes.</p> <h2>Research Theme A: Urban Health Resilience</h2> <p>The <strong>Urban Health Resilience</strong> theme examines how urban communities respond to and recover from health pressures associated with water and environmental change.</p> <p>Research may focus on issues such as:</p> <ul> <li>Flooding</li> <li>Drought</li> <li>Urban heat islands</li> <li>Air pollution</li> <li>Unequal access to clean water</li> <li>Food systems</li> <li>Environmental exposures</li> <li>Mental health</li> <li>Social inequalities</li> <li>Climate adaptation</li> <li>Green and blue infrastructure</li> </ul> <p>The research theme combines perspectives from areas such as <strong>epidemiology, sociology, environmental science, urban planning and public health</strong>.</p> <p>Researchers will examine how communities can develop greater resilience while ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind.</p> <h3>Example PhD research topics</h3> <p>Potential research areas include:</p> <p><strong>Urban Food Systems</strong></p> <p>Possible methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Nutritional analysis</li> <li>Dietary surveys</li> <li>Health outcome measurements</li> <li>Intervention studies</li> </ul> <p><strong>Soil Health and Soil Functions</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Soil surveys</li> <li>Soil health indicator measurement</li> <li>Ecosystem measurements</li> <li>Functional measurements</li> </ul> <p><strong>One Health and Planetary Health Resilience</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Human and mental health assessments</li> <li>Environmental exposure measurements</li> <li>Longitudinal studies</li> <li>Spatial analysis</li> <li>Socio-ecological analysis</li> <li>Intervention and transformative studies</li> </ul> <p><strong>Urban Blue and Green Infrastructure</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Health impact assessments</li> <li>Human and mental health assessments</li> <li>Environmental exposure measurements</li> <li>Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) surveys</li> <li>Perception surveys</li> <li>Spatial analysis</li> <li>Ecosystem services accounting</li> </ul> <h3>Potential supervisors</h3> <p>Research Theme A includes supervision from:</p> <ul> <li>Prof. Dr. Ina Danquah</li> <li>PD Dr. Timo Falkenberg</li> <li>Prof. Dr. Martin Hamer</li> <li>Prof. Wiltrud Terlau</li> <li>Prof. Dr. Mariele Evers</li> </ul> <h1>Research Theme B: Urban Disease Ecology</h1> <p>The <strong>Urban Disease Ecology</strong> theme explores how environmental and ecological conditions in urban water landscapes affect disease transmission and human health.</p> <p>The theme is particularly concerned with:</p> <ul> <li>Water-borne diseases</li> <li>Vector-borne diseases</li> <li>Infectious diseases</li> <li>Climate-related health risks</li> <li>Water quality</li> <li>Urban morphology</li> <li>Land-use changes</li> <li>Urban density</li> <li>Pathogen transmission</li> <li>Antimicrobial resistance</li> </ul> <p>The research takes a <strong>One Health</strong> approach, recognising the interconnected relationship between human health, animals and the environment.</p> <p>Researchers may investigate how changes in urban development, water management and environmental conditions affect the spread of infectious diseases.</p> <h3>Example PhD research topics</h3> <p><strong>Antimicrobial Resistance</strong></p> <p>Possible methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Microbiological sampling</li> <li>Cultural analysis</li> <li>Molecular analysis</li> <li>Resistance profiling</li> <li>Surveys</li> <li>Water quality analysis</li> <li>Transmission modelling</li> <li>Impact modelling</li> </ul> <p><strong>Helminth Infections and Non-Communicable Diseases</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Parasitological analysis</li> <li>Microbiological analysis</li> <li>Immunological analysis</li> <li>Clinical examinations</li> <li>Biomarker analysis</li> <li>Mouse models for mechanistic research</li> </ul> <p><strong>Urban Microbiome and Dietary Ecology</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Microbiome sequencing</li> <li>Dietary pattern analysis</li> <li>Metagenomic analysis</li> <li>Computational analysis</li> </ul> <p><strong>Vector-Borne Disease</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Climate monitoring</li> <li>Entomological surveys</li> <li>Temperature mapping</li> <li>Vector modelling</li> <li>Pathogen detection</li> </ul> <h3>Potential supervisors</h3> <p>Research Theme B includes:</p> <ul> <li>Prof. Dr. Christian Borgemeister</li> <li>Prof. Dr. Achim Hörauf</li> <li>Prof. Dr. Marc Hübner</li> <li>Dr. Indulekha Karunakaran</li> <li>Prof. Dr. Nico Mutters</li> <li>PD Dr. Marijo Parcina</li> <li>Dr. Manuel Ritter</li> <li>Prof. Dr. Marie-Christine Simon</li> <li>Dr. Nicole Zacharias</li> </ul> <h1>Research Theme C: Governance and Institutional Change</h1> <p>The <strong>Governance and Institutional Change</strong> theme is particularly relevant to applicants interested in policy, governance, economics, development studies, political science, institutional systems and public-sector transformation.</p> <p>This research theme examines how political, institutional and societal structures influence urban transformation and the ability of cities to respond to health and environmental challenges.</p> <p>Areas of interest include:</p> <ul> <li>Urban governance</li> <li>Water-health governance</li> <li>Public policy</li> <li>Institutional design</li> <li>Policy instruments</li> <li>Inter-sectoral collaboration</li> <li>Financing mechanisms</li> <li>Participatory decision-making</li> <li>Climate adaptation</li> <li>Population growth</li> <li>Unequal resource distribution</li> <li>Political economy</li> <li>Technological change</li> <li>Healthcare policy</li> <li>Institutional transformation</li> </ul> <p>The research seeks to generate evidence that can support more <strong>inclusive, transparent and adaptive approaches to urban development</strong>.</p> <h3>Example PhD research topics</h3> <p><strong>Biodiversity-Based Bio-Economies</strong></p> <p>Possible methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Economic impact assessment</li> <li>Policy analysis</li> <li>Value-chain analysis</li> </ul> <p><strong>Cross-Sectoral Governance</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Stakeholder mapping</li> <li>Policy analysis</li> <li>Governance framework development</li> <li>Case studies</li> </ul> <p><strong>Urban Transformation and Pharmaceutical Innovation</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Case study analysis</li> <li>Technology assessment</li> <li>Policy evaluation</li> <li>Innovation studies</li> </ul> <p><strong>Political Economy of Health Equity and Technological Change</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Political economy analysis</li> <li>Institutional economics</li> <li>Policy process tracing</li> <li>Case studies</li> <li>Impact analysis</li> </ul> <p><strong>Urban Healthcare Policy Implementation</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Institutional economics</li> <li>Case studies</li> <li>Impact analysis</li> <li>Microeconometric evaluation</li> </ul> <p><strong>Climate-Responsive Health Policy</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Policy mapping</li> <li>Infrastructure mapping</li> <li>Spatial analysis</li> <li>Policy evaluation</li> <li>Implementation research</li> <li>Economic impact assessment</li> </ul> <h3>Potential supervisors</h3> <p>Research Theme C includes:</p> <ul> <li>Prof. Dr. Katja Bender</li> <li>Prof. Dr. Jan Börner</li> <li>Prof. Dr. Anna-Katharina Hornidge</li> <li>Prof. Dr. Simona Helmsmüller</li> <li>Dr. Christoph Strupat</li> </ul> <h1>Research Theme D: Adaptive Urban Ecosystems</h1> <p>The <strong>Adaptive Urban Ecosystems</strong> theme focuses on how cities can plan and manage ecological and blue-green infrastructure in response to climate change and socio-economic transformation.</p> <p>Research areas include:</p> <ul> <li>Urban land-use systems</li> <li>Water infrastructure</li> <li>Nature-based solutions</li> <li>Ecosystem resilience</li> <li>Climate adaptation</li> <li>Circular economy</li> <li>Integrated water-resource management</li> <li>Biodiversity</li> <li>Urban soil management</li> <li>Ecosystem services</li> <li>Sustainable urban development</li> </ul> <p>This theme brings together engineering, ecological and planning perspectives to investigate how urban environments can be designed to provide multiple benefits for both people and ecosystems.</p> <h3>Example PhD research topics</h3> <p><strong>Coupling Mechanisms of Urbanization</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Hydrological modelling</li> <li>System-dynamics modelling</li> <li>Ecosystem-services analysis</li> </ul> <p><strong>Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Biodiversity surveys</li> <li>Spatial data analysis</li> <li>Socioeconomic surveys</li> </ul> <p><strong>Urban Soil Management</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Soil sampling</li> <li>Soil biodiversity surveys</li> <li>Morphological identification</li> <li>Molecular identification</li> <li>Soil health indicators</li> <li>Spatial analysis</li> </ul> <p><strong>Urban Decision Environments</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Coupled ecological-economic systems modelling</li> <li>Collective learning dynamics</li> </ul> <p><strong>One Planetary Health</strong></p> <p>Potential methods include:</p> <ul> <li>Integrated modelling</li> <li>Framework development</li> <li>Systems thinking</li> <li>Commons governance studies</li> </ul> <h3>Potential supervisors</h3> <p>Research Theme D includes:</p> <ul> <li>Prof. Dr. Wolfram Barfuss</li> <li>Dr. Bibiana Betancur</li> <li>Prof. Dr. Lisa Biber-Freudenberger</li> <li>Prof. Dr. Mariele Evers</li> </ul> <h1>What Does the PhD Programme Offer?</h1> <p>Successful candidates will receive a structured doctoral research experience rather than simply conducting an independent PhD project.</p> <p>The programme provides several forms of academic and professional support.</p> <h2>1. Four-Year Doctoral Support Contract</h2> <p>The Research Training Group will begin on <strong>1 April 2027</strong>.</p> <p>Successful applicants will receive a <strong>four-year doctoral support contract</strong>, with remuneration dependent on <strong>TV-L pay grade 13 at 65%</strong>, in accordance with the German public salary scale.</p> <p>Employment will be at either:</p> <ul> <li>University of Bonn; or</li> <li>Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences.</li> </ul> <h2>2. Funded Research Expenses</h2> <p>The programme states that <strong>fieldwork, travel and related research expenses are fully funded</strong>.</p> <p>This is particularly important for doctoral projects involving international fieldwork or research in different urban environments.</p> <h2>3. Structured Doctoral Training</h2> <p>Doctoral researchers will participate in an interdisciplinary training programme covering areas such as:</p> <ul> <li>Systems thinking</li> <li>Transdisciplinary research</li> <li>Academic communication</li> <li>Interdisciplinary research</li> <li>Research methods</li> <li>Soft skills</li> <li>Professional development</li> </ul> <h2>4. Interdisciplinary Research Environment</h2> <p>The programme brings together researchers from different academic disciplines.</p> <p>This allows doctoral candidates to examine urban health challenges from multiple perspectives rather than approaching them from a single discipline.</p> <h2>5. International Research Network</h2> <p>Researchers will have access to a strong national and international network involving universities and research institutions in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.</p> <h2>6. Career Development Support</h2> <p>The programme also provides <strong>dedicated career development support</strong>, structured supervision and clear progression criteria.</p> <h1>Responsibilities of Selected Doctoral Researchers</h1> <p>Successful candidates will be expected to actively participate in the Research Training Group and contribute to its interdisciplinary research environment.</p> <p>Their responsibilities will include:</p> <ol> <li>Participating actively in the RTG training programme.</li> <li>Taking part in interdisciplinary seminars.</li> <li>Conducting independent doctoral research aligned with one of the four research themes.</li> <li>Developing appropriate research methodologies.</li> <li>Collecting and analysing research data.</li> <li>Publishing research findings.</li> <li>Contributing to the development of Blue City concepts.</li> <li>Participating in transdisciplinary knowledge exchange.</li> <li>Developing systems-thinking and interdisciplinary research capabilities.</li> </ol> <h1>Who Can Apply?</h1> <p>The programme is seeking applicants who have already completed a <strong>Master&#8217;s degree or equivalent qualification</strong> in a relevant discipline.</p> <p>The call specifically identifies a broad range of eligible academic backgrounds.</p> <p>These include:</p> <ul> <li>Agricultural and Food Systems</li> <li>Climate and Earth Sciences</li> <li>Development Studies</li> <li>Ecology and Life Sciences</li> <li>Economics and Management</li> <li>Mathematics</li> <li>Physics</li> <li>Computer Science</li> <li>Environmental Sciences</li> <li>Health Sciences</li> <li>Geography</li> <li>Infectious Diseases</li> <li>Hygiene and Infection Control</li> <li>Medical Microbiology</li> <li>Public Health</li> <li>Urban and Regional Studies</li> <li>Social Sciences</li> </ul> <p>Applicants should also demonstrate:</p> <ul> <li>A strong interdisciplinary mindset</li> <li>A clear interest in urban transformation</li> <li>Interest in the water-health nexus and/or urban health</li> <li>Excellent written English</li> <li>Excellent spoken English</li> </ul> <h2>English Language Requirement</h2> <p>Applicants are required to provide evidence of <strong>English language proficiency at B2 level</strong>, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), or an equivalent qualification such as TOEFL.</p> <h1>Is the Opportunity Open to International Applicants?</h1> <p>Yes. The programme has an explicitly international research orientation and involves partner institutions across <strong>Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe</strong>.</p> <p>The call identifies partner institutions in <strong>Ghana, Togo, Cameroon, Brazil and Japan</strong>, while applicants are permitted to propose research sites in <strong>any Blue City worldwide</strong>.</p> <p>Therefore, the programme is not presented as being restricted to German or European applicants.</p> <p>Applicants should, however, ensure that they satisfy the academic, language and application requirements specified in the official call.</p> <h1>Application Documents Required</h1> <p>The application process consists of <strong>two stages</strong>.</p> <p>Applications will first be assessed by the RTG Selection Committee. Candidates considered among the most qualified will then be invited to participate in a <strong>virtual interview</strong>.</p> <p>Applicants are required to submit the following:</p> <h3>1. Curriculum Vitae</h3> <p>A <strong>tabular-format CV</strong> should be provided, presenting the applicant&#8217;s academic background, professional experience, research experience, skills and other relevant information.</p> <h3>2. Degree Certificates and Transcripts</h3> <p>Applicants must provide:</p> <ul> <li>Higher education degree certificate(s)</li> <li>Full transcript(s) of records</li> <li>An explanation of the grading system used for previous studies</li> </ul> <h3>3. Motivation Letter</h3> <p>A motivation letter of <strong>no more than 500 words</strong> is required.</p> <p>The letter should explain the applicant&#8217;s motivation for joining the programme and demonstrate their interest in the relevant research area.</p> <h3>4. Research Exposé</h3> <p>Applicants must submit a research exposé of <strong>no more than 1,500 words</strong>.</p> <p>This is an important part of the application because candidates are expected to propose doctoral research aligned with one of the programme&#8217;s four research themes.</p> <h3>5. Interdisciplinary Research Statement</h3> <p>Applicants must provide an interdisciplinary research statement of <strong>no more than 500 words</strong>.</p> <p>This should demonstrate their ability to think across disciplinary boundaries and connect their proposed research with the wider objectives of the Research Training Group.</p> <h3>6. Letter of Recommendation</h3> <p>Applicants must submit <strong>one letter of recommendation</strong>.</p> <h3>7. English Language Certificate</h3> <p>Applicants must provide evidence of <strong>B2-level English proficiency</strong>, such as CEFR, TOEFL or an equivalent qualification.</p> <h1>Application Deadline</h1> <p>The deadline to submit a complete application is:</p> <p><strong>19 October 2026</strong></p> <p>Applicants should ensure that all required documents are prepared and submitted through the online application portal before the deadline.</p> <p>Candidates should also indicate the <strong>specific research theme</strong> they are applying for.</p> <h1>Important Information About Gender Equality</h1> <p>The call states that, in accordance with the <strong>Landesgleichstellungsgesetz (LGG) NRW</strong>, women will be given preference in cases where candidates have equal suitability, qualifications and professional performance, unless reasons relating to another candidate prevail.</p> <p>The programme also states that it is committed to <strong>diversity and equal opportunity</strong> and is certified as a <strong>family-friendly university</strong>.</p> <h1>Why the Blue City Concept Matters</h1> <p>The Blue City concept is central to the programme.</p> <p>Rather than treating water solely as something that cities need to control, remove or supply, the programme examines water as an important component of the urban environment.</p> <p>This approach can involve examining:</p> <ul> <li>Rivers</li> <li>Coastlines</li> <li>Flood management</li> <li>Water infrastructure</li> <li>Public health</li> <li>Urban ecosystems</li> <li>Climate resilience</li> <li>Green-blue infrastructure</li> <li>Water quality</li> <li>Urban planning</li> <li>Social equity</li> <li>Disease ecology</li> <li>Governance</li> </ul> <p>The programme therefore recognises that water-related challenges cannot always be addressed through engineering solutions alone.</p> <p>They may also require changes in governance, public policy, community participation, health systems, environmental management and urban planning.</p> <h1>Potential Research Opportunities for Social Science Graduates</h1> <p>One notable aspect of this doctoral programme is its interdisciplinary structure.</p> <p>Applicants from social-science backgrounds can potentially find relevant research opportunities, particularly within <strong>Research Cluster C: Governance and Institutional Change</strong>.</p> <p>Relevant areas include:</p> <ul> <li>Cross-sectoral governance</li> <li>Political economy</li> <li>Health policy</li> <li>Institutional economics</li> <li>Policy implementation</li> <li>Climate-responsive health policy</li> <li>Urban transformation</li> <li>Technological change</li> <li>Stakeholder participation</li> <li>Institutional design</li> </ul> <p>This means that candidates do not necessarily need a medical or laboratory-science background to be relevant to the programme, provided their academic background and proposed research align with one of the eligible areas.</p> <h1>Research Sites Can Be Located Worldwide</h1> <p>Although the Research Training Group places particular emphasis on cities in the <strong>Global South</strong>, applicants are free to propose research sites in <strong>any Blue City worldwide</strong>.</p> <p>This provides considerable flexibility when developing a doctoral research proposal.</p> <p>Applicants could therefore potentially develop projects examining urban health and water-related challenges in different geographical contexts, provided the proposed research fits the programme&#8217;s objectives and one of its four research themes.</p> <h1>Application Process</h1> <p>Applicants should follow these steps:</p> <h3>Step 1: Select a Research Theme</h3> <p>Review the four research themes:</p> <ol> <li>Urban Health Resilience</li> <li>Urban Disease Ecology</li> <li>Governance and Institutional Change</li> <li>Adaptive Urban Ecosystems</li> </ol> <p>Choose the theme that most closely corresponds to your academic background and proposed doctoral research.</p> <h3>Step 2: Develop Your Research Idea</h3> <p>Prepare a research proposal that addresses a relevant urban-health challenge and demonstrates a clear connection to the selected research theme.</p> <h3>Step 3: Prepare the Required Documents</h3> <p>Prepare:</p> <ul> <li>CV</li> <li>Degree certificate(s)</li> <li>Full transcript(s)</li> <li>Grading-system explanation</li> <li>Motivation letter</li> <li>Research exposé</li> <li>Interdisciplinary research statement</li> <li>Recommendation letter</li> <li>English-language certificate</li> </ul> <h3>Step 4: Submit the Online Application</h3> <p>Submit the complete application through the official University of Bonn application portal.</p> <h3>Step 5: Selection and Interview</h3> <p>The Selection Committee will evaluate applications.</p> <p>Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a <strong>virtual interview</strong>.</p> <h1>Key Facts at a Glance</h1> <table> <thead> <tr> <th>Information</th> <th>Details</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Programme</td> <td>DFG Research Training Group “Urban Future”</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Main focus</td> <td>Urban health and transformations in Blue Cities</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Institution</td> <td>University of Bonn and Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Opportunity</td> <td>Doctoral research positions</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Number of positions</td> <td>10</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Duration</td> <td>4 years</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Start date</td> <td>1 April 2027</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Remuneration</td> <td>TV-L pay grade 13 (65%)</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Research expenses</td> <td>Fieldwork, travel and related research expenses funded</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Degree areas</td> <td>Multiple disciplinary faculties/Promotionskolleg NRW</td> </tr> <tr> <td>English requirement</td> <td>B2 CEFR, TOEFL or equivalent</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Application format</td> <td>Two-stage selection</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Interview</td> <td>Virtual interview for selected candidates</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Application deadline</td> <td>19 October 2026</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Research locations</td> <td>Any Blue City worldwide</td> </tr> <tr> <td>International focus</td> <td>Strong focus on Global South and international partnerships</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h1>Conclusion</h1> <p>The <strong>Urban Future DFG Research Training Group</strong> offers an interdisciplinary doctoral research opportunity for graduates interested in understanding how cities can respond to interconnected challenges involving <strong>water, public health, climate change, environmental sustainability and social equity</strong>.</p> <p>With <strong>10 doctoral positions</strong>, a <strong>four-year support contract</strong>, funding for <strong>fieldwork and travel</strong>, structured doctoral training, interdisciplinary supervision and an international research network, the programme provides a research environment that brings together natural sciences, health sciences, economics, governance, social sciences, environmental research and urban studies.</p> <p>The four research themes—<strong>Urban Health Resilience, Urban Disease Ecology, Governance and Institutional Change, and Adaptive Urban Ecosystems</strong>—provide applicants with several pathways for developing a doctoral research project.</p> <p>Candidates interested in applying should carefully select the research theme that matches their academic background and research interests, prepare the required documents and submit their complete application by <strong>19 October 2026</strong>.</p> <h2>Application Link:</h2> <p><a href="https://masterapplication.uni-bonn.de/movein/hosted/online/move/movein/portal/zefb_portal.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://masterapplication.uni-bonn.de/movein/hosted/online/move/movein/portal/zefb_portal.php</a></p> <h2>Official Website</h2> <p><a href="https://masterapplication.uni-bonn.de/movein/hosted/online/move/movein/portal/zefb_portal.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ukbonn.de/ihph/bereiche/urban-future/</a></p> <p>For more PHD programs,  visit the OFY Website <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=phd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><strong>HERE</strong></em></a></p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/09/27/phd-opportunities/">10 Fully Funded PhD Positions in Urban Health at the University of Bonn, Germany – Urban Future Research Training Group 2027</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>