Doctoral Fellowship in the field of International Politics

The guiding theme Energy Cultures in Transition understands energy as a cultural phenomenon deeply inscribed in aesthetic, historical, political, ecological, economic, and socio-technological practices and systems. Building on the dynamically growing research fields of the Energy Humanities, Science & Technology Studies, and the Digital Humanities, the aim is to examine how modern energy regimes—from petromodernity, to nuclear culture, and post-carbon futures—have shaped not only material infrastructures but also subjectivities, power relations, progress narratives, geopolitical orders, ecologies, and knowledge systems, while simultaneously being shaped by them. Interdisciplinary perspectives from the social sciences, cultural studies, humanities, and educational research represented at the Schaufler Kolleg@TU Dresden enable the analysis of the multifaceted entanglements of energy, culture, and society. The focus is on questions concerning the representation, communication, and aesthetics of energy transitions and resource paradigms as well as continuities between resource economies and information economies, the relationships between energy, labor, environment, and consumer culture, and the role of colonialism, gender, nationalism, geopolitics, education, and social justice in deciding energy futures and navigating collective transformation processes.
In the field of International Politics, the following research areas and questions are of particular relevance to the guiding theme:

• Research on the transnational transition of energy cultures by linking Political Science and International Relations with Social Movement Studies, Sociology, or Conflict Studies
• Energy transformation as a political and social distributional conflict in the context of global governance and transnational networks
• Challenges of cross-border labour relations in the context of the energy transition, and as objects of analysis for Global Social Policy, Transnational Advocacy Networks, and international norm research
• Analysis of legitimation strategies for international objectives (e.g., CO2 reduction) at the national and local levels, particularly in the context of labour
• Investigation of global and transnational issues in local contexts, for example through the application of qualitative, comparative, and ethnographic methods

Tasks: Your tasks include independent research and academic further qualification with the goal of completing a doctorate at TUD, as well as writing a dissertation on a topic within the guiding concept "Energy Cultures in Transition" in the discipline of Political Science/International Relations/Political Sociology. The fellowship requires a high degree of willingness to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue, particularly with the STEM partnerships of the Schaufler Lab@TU Dresden, as well as to conduct joint research with artists within the framework of the Schaufler Residency. In addition, engagement in the areas of science communication and outreach is expected. Shared office spaces will be made available to the fellows. Participation in the Kolleg's English-language training program is mandatory.

You hold an excellent university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Political Science or a comparable social science discipline. Furthermore, you have relevant prior experience in the application of social science methods as well as in the fields of International Politics and Social Movement Studies. You have a strong ability to work in teams and enjoy interdisciplinary collaboration. As the training program is conducted in English, you have English skills at a minimum of C1 level. In accordance with the doctoral regulations of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science, the dissertation may be written in either German or English—if you choose to write it in German, corresponding German language skills are required. Beyond this, German language skills are desirable but not mandatory.

The opportunity to pursue a doctorate within the Schaufler Kolleg with a structured qualification program and integration into an interdisciplinary research project. You will receive a fully equipped office workspace on the premises of TUD and access to an excellent research infrastructure, including participation in Research Studios and writing retreats. The Graduate Academy and other central institutions of TUD offer numerous further training and qualification opportunities. In addition, within the limits of the available project funds, the Schaufler Lab will cover the costs of conference travel.

Inclusion and equal opportunities are important to us. We therefore look forward to receiving applications from people regardless of gender, origin, sexual orientation, worldview, or disability. TUD strives to employ more women in academia and research. We therefore expressly encourage women to apply. The University is a family-friendly university. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. If multiple candidates prove to be equally qualified, those with disabilities or with equivalent status pursuant to the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will receive priority for employment. The fellowship does not constitute an employment relationship.

Application: Your detailed application, in German or English, should contain, in addition to the completed online application form (https://tu-dresden.de/gsw/schauflerlab/schaufler-kolleg/phase-3/anmeldung-registration), a letter of motivation, a curriculum vitae in tabular form including an account of your academic career, a copy of your most recent university degree certificate, an exposé of your research project including a work and time schedule (max. 20,000 characters), and, where applicable, details of your family situation.

Please send us your application documents, including the online application form, quoting the reference number s26-003, by November 24, 2026 (stamped arrival date of the university central mail service or the time stamp on the email server of TUD applies), preferably via the TUD SecureMail Portal https://securemail.tu-dresden.de by sending it as a single pdf file to schaufler.lab@tu-dresden.de or to:

TU Dresden,
Schaufler Lab@TU Dresden,
Prof. Dr. Anna Holzscheiter,
Helmholtzstr. 10,
01069 Dresden, Germany.

Please submit copies only, as your application will not be returned to you. Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.

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Reference to data protection: Your data protection rights, the purpose for which your data will be processed, as well as further information about data protection is available to you on the website:
https://tu-dresden.de/karriere/datenschutzhinweis.