The Zukunftskolleg Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Konstanz is a two-year research fellowship for outstanding early-career postdoctoral researchers who want to develop and carry out an independent research project. The fellowship is open across disciplines represented at the University of Konstanz and emphasizes research independence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of future academic leaders.
Table of Content
Summary
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Benefits
Postdoctoral Fellows profit from all support measures available at the Zukunftskolleg:
- they receive an annual research allowance e.g. for funding research assistants or equipment
- they are eligible to apply for co-funding
- Senior Fellowships and the Mentorship Programme give them the opportunity to invite distinguished colleagues to Konstanz
- they can go on a temporary Research Visit abroad or nominate international early career researchers for a Research Visit at the Zukunftskolleg
- they are eligible to apply for funding for cooperative initiatives or for funding for particular career stages
- they receive non-monetary support like coaching, professional career counseling or in grant proposal writing
- they get financial support to organise and run a scientific retreat
- Further, the Zukunftskolleg provides financial support for one additional fellowship year (2+1) to Postdoctoral Fellows who have submitted an application for external funding / a grant application to cover their own position and are waiting for the results.
Requirements
- You should be in possession of a doctoral degree granted between 30 September 2024 and 1 October 2026. Earlier graduation dates may 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 programme, 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. They are invited to include in their motivation letter a reflection note on how their research relates to the 17 SDGs of the UN
- Applicants should contact potential local host among the researchers at the University of Konstanz in order to ensure appropriate affiliation. Support from a department strengstens the application.
- International experience in teaching or research, and a strong interest in interdisciplinary topics are an asset.
Application Documents
All applications should contain the following supporting materials:
- Letter of motivation (1 page max, eligibility criterion*)
- Research proposal (5 pages max, including references, eligibility criterion*)
- Curriculum vitae
- Writing sample (30 single pages max, eligibility criterion*)
- Two letters of reference
If the length of 1., 2. and 4. exceeds the max. allowed number of pages, your application will be ineligible and will not be considered further.
Application Deadline
October 12, 2026How To Apply
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All applications and supporting materials (letter of motivation, research proposal, curriculum vitae, writing sample and two letters of reference) must be submitted in English via the Online Application Portal. Only the letters of reference can be sent directly by the referees via e-mail to [email protected] by the application deadline.
For more information, kindly visit the University of Konstanz webpage.
