Apply Now for the Fully Funded TU Dresden Doctoral Fellowship 2027 in Germany & Get up to €1,850 Monthly Stipend for International Politics Researchers

Overview

The Schaufler Lab at TU Dresden offers a doctoral fellowship designed for early-career researchers focusing on international politics, energy transitions, and the connections between technology, society, and culture. Running for an initial two-year period with a potential 1.5-year extension, the fellowship begins on 1 April 2027. The selected researcher will develop an independent doctoral project within the guiding theme of Energy Cultures in Transition, examining how energy systems affect political relationships, social movements, global governance, and geopolitical structures.

Who can apply

Candidates must hold an excellent Master's degree or equivalent qualification in Political Science or a comparable social science discipline. Applicants should possess relevant experience in applying social science research methods along with academic background in International Politics and Social Movement Studies. Strong teamwork skills, an interest in interdisciplinary collaboration, and an English-language proficiency of at least C1 level are required. Candidates wishing to write their dissertation in German must have the necessary German-language skills, though additional German ability is otherwise only desirable.

What you get

The chosen fellow receives a monthly stipend of €1,850, a monthly material-cost allowance of €150, and a family supplement of €315 per child where applicable. Additional support includes a fully equipped office workspace at TU Dresden, access to research infrastructure, Research Studios, writing retreats, structured academic qualification and professional development opportunities, conference travel support, and networking prospects.

Requirements

The fellow must conduct independent academic research, prepare and complete a dissertation in Political Science, International Relations, or Political Sociology, and actively participate in interdisciplinary dialogue with STEM partners. Responsibilities also include collaborating with resident artists, contributing to science communication and public outreach activities, and participating in the mandatory English-language training programme.

How to apply

Applicants must submit a detailed application in either German or English that includes a completed online application form, a motivation letter, a tabular curriculum vitae detailing their academic career, a copy of the most recent university degree certificate, a research project exposé with a work and time schedule of no more than 20,000 characters, and details of their family situation if applicable. All submissions must reference the number s26-003 and should ideally be sent as a single PDF file through the TU Dresden SecureMail Portal, or alternatively mailed by post to the university address provided for Professor Dr. Anna Holzscheiter.

Key dates

The application deadline is 24 November 2026. The fellowship is scheduled to begin on 1 April 2027.