Up to 4 postdoctoral fellowships for an on-campus research stay at the Zukunftskolleg are available for up to 3 months. The on-site ZUKOnnect fellowships are complemented by a digital membership that extends them to a duration of 12 months. The start date for the digital membership is summer 2023. The preferred start date for the on-site ZUKOnnect scholarships is between 15 September 2023 and 15 October 2023.

Objective

The Zukunftskolleg Konnect Fellowships support early-career researchers from Africa, Asia and Latin America doing research that fits into one of the thirteen departments at the University of Konstanz. As a ZUKOnnect Fellow, you can use this time to broaden your research networks and get to know the research environment at the University of Konstanz, while maintaining your position at home. As these scholarships can build a first bridge to the German and European academic system, we also encourage doctoral students in their final year to apply. The Zukunftskolleg will not offer employment contracts to ZUKOnnect Fellows.

The Zukunftskolleg is an Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS). It offers scholarships as well as a diverse support network to promote the independence of early career researchers. Postdoctoral researchers can work with minimal administrative restrictions, and enjoy the freedom to engage in meaningful exchange with other early career colleagues, as well as with distinguished senior researchers. Researchers in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences come to Konstanz from all over the world to carry out first-class research. The Zukunftskolleg is a keystone in the University of Konstanz's institutional strategy and the University of Konstanz is one of Germany's eleven Universities of Excellence.

The "Manfred Ulmer-Stiftung für Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft" foundation at the University of Konstanz has been funding early career researchers since it was founded in 1979. Since 2021, the foundation has been supporting the "ZUKOnnect Fellowship" with the Manfred-Ulmer scholarship - a scholarship programme they have been running for several decades - to the tune of 6,000 euros and thus funding one of the four scholarships. The Manfred Ulmer Foundation is looking forward to the opportunity to play an even more active role in attracting international early career researchers in the future by supporting this innovative format of the Zukunftskolleg at the University of Konstanz.

We offer:

• During the research stay on campus, a grant of 1,200 euros/month for doctoral students and 2,000/month for post-doctoral researchers (following DAAD guidelines).
• Standard expenses for an economy class journey to Konstanz and back.
• The opportunity to take part in events organised by the Zukunftskolleg.
• Access to library resources.
• Access to IT services.
• Access to research support services (by Research Support).
• ZUKOnnect Fellows will benefit from a digital membership, extending the total period to 12 months. The digital membership will be supported with up to 900 euros (lump sum).

Your responsibilities:

• You will live in or near Konstanz for the duration of the ZUKOnnect Fellowship on site (the University of Konstanz Welcome Centre will support you in all organisational aspects of your move to Konstanz).
• During your digital affiliation and research stay on campus, you will actively contribute to the interdisciplinary dialogue in the Zukunftskolleg, for example during the weekly Jour fixe meetings (in the semester).
• You will interact with fellows and researchers in relevant departments at the University of Konstanz.
• You will give a presentation at a seminar or public lecture.
• You will recognise the support of the Zukunftskolleg in any publications resulting from the stay.
• You will write a short report on your activities and achievements (within 6 months of completing your ZUKOnnect Fellowship).

The requirements:

• He is trained and currently working in Latin America, Asia and/or Africa.
• You have a doctorate (max. 2 years, doctorate awarded after 15 February 2021) OR you are a doctoral student in your final year.
• Your doctorate was/will be completed at a university in Latin America, Asia or Africa.
• He does not hold a permanent professorship, nor does he have an equivalent qualification (Venia legendi).
• Her research project falls under one of the disciplines represented at the University of Konstanz.
• You should nominate a researcher at the University of Konstanz - possibly a current Fellow of the Zukunftskolleg - with whom you want to collaborate.

Application
Please submit your application documents in English as separate PDF files via our online application portal.
The reference number is 2022/289. Applications must include:

• A letter of motivation (including your objectives for the research stay at the Zukunftskolleg and an explanation of how your research relates to the research landscape at the university; maximum 2 pages).
• Brief summary of your current research project (maximum 3 pages including references)
• A detailed work and time plan for your research project on campus at the Zukunftskolleg (maximum 2 pages)
• Your CV
• Relevant certificates (doctoral certificate OR a letter from your doctoral supervisor confirming the status of your doctoral thesis)
• A letter of academic reference, ideally on official letterhead and signed by the respective reviewer.

Other certificates and additional documents uploaded to the application platform will not be considered and will be removed manually during the eligibility check.

More information is available onlinewhere you will also find an extensive FAQ document. Further questions can be addressed by e-mail: zukonnect@uni-konstanz.de. We are also offering an online information session on 1 February 2023 at 13:00.

If the budgetary situation allows it, the Zukunftskolleg may grant financial support to family members accompanying ZUKOnnect Fellows during their scholarship.

We expect to receive your application, including all the necessary documents, by 13 February 2023, 15:00.

Apply here.