4-year Doctoral Researcher Positions
Call for Applications for 11 4-year Doctoral Researcher Positions
As part of the Research Training Group 2951 "Cross-border Labour Markets: Transnational Market Makers, Infrastructures, Institutions", funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), a total of 11 doctoral positions are available at Bielefeld University, Faculty of Sociology and Faculty of Economics and University of Duisburg Essen, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Sociology and Faculty of Economics as Doctoral Researchers (Pay group 13 TV-L, 75 %).
The Research Training Group (RTG) "Cross-border Labour Markets" is a joint programme of Bielefeld University and the University of Duisburg-Essen. From April, 1, 2026, it offers a total of 11 positions for doctoral researchers (a maximum of 6 positions at both Bielefeld University and the University of Duisburg-Essen respectively). The positions give successful applicants the opportunity to conduct their own research projects, within the context of the RTG research programme, and complete a doctoral dissertation within an inspiring international and interdisciplinary intellectual environment.
The RTG investigates cross-border labour markets with an emphasis on their transnational embeddedness, with a focus on the conditions for the emergence of cross-border labour markets, encompassing the roles that transnational 'market makers' play in this regard (such as states, multinational corporations, or intermediaries), transnational infrastructures (such as means of transportation, accommodation, job platforms, or social networks), and transnational institutions (rules and regulations, visa and border regimes, recognition of qualifications, or industrial relations). Especially welcome are PhD projects that adopt institutionalist perspectives on cross-border labour markets and employment relations, as well as projects that focus on cross-border platforms or clickwork or other forms of virtual work.
For more details on the application procedure aswell as the RTG, its research programme and participating researchers, please consult the RTG webpage.
Deadline for applications is October 1.
The complete call for positions at University Duisburg-Essen is published here. For supervisors located at the University Duisburg-Essen, please apply through the this application portal: APPLY NOW!
The call for positions at Bielefeld University/ Osnabrück University is published here. For supervisors located at Bielefeld University or Osnabrück University, please apply through this application portal: APPLY NOW!
On August 19, on 2pm (GMT+2) there will be a zoom information session for potential applicants about our Research Programme, Qualification Programme and the Application Process. Please register for this zoom event writing to this email: grk2951@uni-bielefeld.de
Contact:
Dr. Anna Spiegel (academic coordinator of the RTG 2951): grk2951@uni-bielefeld.de