The University of Konstanz in Konstanz, Germany is inviting applications for seven fully funded doctoral (PhD) positions under its prestigious research initiative, the Cluster of Excellence “The Politics of Inequality”. The positions will begin in October 2026 and run for four years under the German public sector pay scale TV-L E13 (75%).
This opportunity is ideal for highly motivated graduates interested in studying the political causes and consequences of inequality through interdisciplinary research.
About the Cluster of Excellence “The Politics of Inequality”
The Cluster brings together leading scholars investigating how inequalities arise, how they are perceived by societies, and how political actors respond to them. Researchers examine different dimensions of inequality including:
-
Income and wealth
-
Education
-
Environmental conditions
-
Political and social rights
-
Privileges and social advantages
The research initiative adopts an interdisciplinary approach, involving fields such as:
-
Political Science
-
Sociology
-
Economics
-
Linguistics
-
Other related social science disciplines
PhD candidates will work independently or as part of collaborative research teams within the Cluster’s interdisciplinary projects.
Available PhD Positions
A total of seven doctoral positions are available across different research projects:
-
Two Independent PhD Positions
-
PhD Position – Working Group Comparative Political Economy
Supervised by Marius R. Busemeyer -
PhD Position – Inequalities in Climate Finance (ClimFin)
-
PhD Position – Students’ Perceptions of Inequality and Fairness
-
Two PhD Positions – Mobilizing Climate Inequalities: From Perceptions to Participation (MOCLI)
Each project explores different dimensions of inequality and how these dynamics shape political participation, policy responses, and social outcomes.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should:
-
Hold an outstanding Master’s degree or equivalent
-
Have academic training in a discipline relevant to inequality research
-
Demonstrate strong research motivation and academic potential
-
Be interested in interdisciplinary collaboration
Successful candidates will be enrolled in the Graduate School of the Social and Behavioural Sciences at the university and will specialise in Inequality Research.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit their applications through the online application portal of the university.
Required documents include:
-
Motivation letter
-
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
-
Letter of reference
-
Academic certificates
-
Transcript of records
Applicants must clearly indicate the PhD project they are applying for in both the statement of purpose and the online application form.
Selection Process
Shortlisted candidates may be required to:
-
Submit a 3–4 page research proposal
-
Attend an interview in the first half of May 2026
Application Deadline
15 April 2026
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted exclusively via the official application portal of the University of Konstanz.
Interested applicants should prepare their documents early and ensure they specify their preferred research project.
Tip: Applicants interested in competitive doctoral programs should tailor their motivation letter and research interests to the specific project themes, especially around inequality, climate finance, and political economy, to strengthen their chances of selection.
For more information about this PhD Scholarship, click Here.
Explore more PhD Opportunities Here
