DFG Research Training Group Urban Future

The Research Training Group „Urban Future – managing transformations for a better health in blue cities“ examines how urban spaces along rivers and coastlines can be designed and managed to promote public health, ecological sustainability, and social justice. At its core is the concept of the „Blue City“: urban environments where water is not merely a resource or hazard, but an integral component of urban planning, infrastructure, and societal identity. The RTG bridges natural, health and economics & social sciences to decode the complex interactions between urban transformations, water-related challenges, and public health outcomes.

The RTG is operated by the University of Bonn and the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences in cooperation with German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) and various partner universities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The heart of the RTG is the structured, interdisciplinary training program that places strong emphasis on developing systems thinking, transdisciplinary research, and the development of meta-competencies required for the interdisciplinary research of complex urban systems. Four research clusters (Urban Health Resilience, Urban Disease Ecology, Governance and Institutional Change, Adaptive Urban Ecosystems) form the conceptual foundation, operationally linked through four interdisciplinary research tracks.

Call for Applications

DFG-Research Training Group (RTG)

„Urban Future – managing transformations for a better health in blue cities“

10 doctoral research positions

in the interdisciplinary field of urban health

All positions are in TV-L pay grade 13 (65%), employment will be either at the University of Bonn or the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences. Degrees will be obtained from the medical, mathematical-natural science, philosophical or agricultural, nutritional and engineering sciences faculties or the Promotionskolleg NRW, respectively, depending on disciplinary background and research focus. All doctoral researchers will complete the structured doctoral program, which strongly emphasizes systems thinking and transdisciplinary approaches to build meta-competencies for urban health research. Next to overarching interdisciplinary courses, specific disciplinary courses and soft-skills trainings make up the foundation of the program.

The RTG „Urban Future“ investigates how urban transformations in “Blue Cities“ – urban areas situated along rivers or coastlines where water is explicitly integrated into urban planning and holds a central place in societal identity – can be managed to improve public health, social equity, and ecological sustainability. The research focuses on the complex water-health-governance nexus, with a particular emphasis on cities in the Global South as living laboratories. The RTG is a joint initiative of the University of Bonn and the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, in close cooperation with international partner institutions in Ghana (KNUST, UG, UCC), Togo (UOL), Cameroon (UBUEA), Sao Paulo (USP) and Tokyo (UTokyo). While partner networks provide a strong international framework, applicants are free to propose research sites in any “Blue City” worldwide.

The RTG is structured around four overarching Research Themes (RTs):

A) Urban Health Resilience,

B) Urban Disease Ecology,

C) Governance and Institutional Change, and

D) Adaptive Urban Ecosystems

Your tasks:

Actively participate in the RTG training program and interdisciplinary seminars
Conduct independent, RT-aligned doctoral research, including method development, data collection, analysis, and publication
Contribute to the development of Blue City concepts and transdisciplinary knowledge exchange

Your profile:

Completed Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g., Agricultural and Food Systems, Climate and Earth Sciences, Development Studies, Ecology and Life Sciences, Economics and Management, Environmental and Health Sciences, Geography, Infectious Diseases, Hygiene/infection control, (Medical) Microbiology, Public Health, Urban and Regional Studies, and Social Sciences)
Strong interdisciplinary mindset and clear interest in urban transformations, water-health nexus, or urban health
Excellent written and oral English language skills

What we offer:

A stimulating, international, and interdisciplinary doctoral environment with strong national and global research networks
Structured supervision, clear progression criteria, and dedicated career development support
Full funding for fieldwork, travel, and related research expenses
Comprehensive training in systems thinking, transdisciplinary methods, and academic communication
Committed to diversity and equal opportunity; certified as family-friendly university

Application process & documents

The selection process is two-stage. Applications will be evaluated by the RTG Selection Committee, and only the most qualified candidates will be invited to a virtual interview.

Curriculum vitae (tabular format)
Higher education degree certificate(s) and full transcript(s) of records, including an explanation of the grading system of all previous studies.
Motivation letter (max. 500 words)
Research exposé (max. 1500 words)
Interdisciplinary research statement (max. 500 words)
Two letters of recommendation
English language proficiency certification (B2 level (CEFR, TOEFL or equivalent))