Call for Applications for Doctoral Scholarships at the University of Erfurt

The Hans-Böckler-Stiftung awards up to 11 doctoral scholarship for the doctoral programme “De-Globalization and Global Decoupling (DeGlobE)” (PK 062), starting October 2025.

After decades of increasing global interdependence, a process of ‘deglobalization’ appears to be underway. The market-liberal approach characterizing globalization is increasingly being complemented by active industrial policies aimed, for example, at managing economic transformation or enhancing strategic autonomy. In addition, dependencies in foreign trade are increasingly being viewed as problematic. The provision of ‘strategic’ goods such as rare earths, batteries or semiconductors should no longer be left to pure market dynamics, but instead be guided by targeted policies aimed at ‘derisking’ and fostering resilience – which securitizes the provision of these goods. At the same time, trade among political allies seems to be given priority over the principle of global division of labor. The result is disintegration, if not decoupling.

The doctoral programme De-Globalization and Global Decoupling (DeGlobE) investigates how the recalibration of market and state, economic paradigms and regulatory levels and approaches that is emerging under conditions of deglobalization manifests itself. DeGlobE is interested in the specific ‘post-globalization logics’ that unfold in this context. Moreover, it will explore the consequences of deglobalization, disintegration and global decoupling for normative goals such as social justice, the socio-ecological transformation or human rights, and which mechanisms may replace incumbent multilateral approaches.

The doctoral programme will explore the issues within four thematic areas:

• Thematic area 1: Clean transition and green technologies (Lead: Prof. Andreas Goldthau, Public Policy). PhD projects in this thematic field may, for example, address the external dimension of the EU Green Deal, just energy and industrial partnerships, or resource-based development through Critical Transition Materials (CTMs).
• Thematic area 2: Supply chains: human rights and sustainable development (Lead: Prof. Michael Riegner, Law). Doctoral projects in this subject area may, for example, examine the mobilization of supply chain law, co-determination and supply chain law or the management of supply chain risk in companies.
• Thematic area 3: Value creation and state security apparatuses (Lead: Prof. Sophia Hoffmann, International Politics and Conflict Research). Doctoral projects in this thematic field should be primarily dedicated to the topic of ‘Economic Intelligence’, which examines the strategic use of intelligence services in the global economy; or assess how state security actors are linked to value creation processes.
• Thematic area 4: Financial infrastructure policy (Lead: Prof. Oliver Kessler, International Relations). Doctoral projects in this thematic area can cover BRICS pay and currency hierarchies, investment screening, or financial infrastructures.

DeGlobE is institutionally anchored within the Security and Capitalism Research Group at the University of Erfurt, were you will find further information on the objectives, research questions and possible doctoral projects. At the same time, DeGlobE cooperates with two certified graduate centers at the University of Erfurt – C2PO (Center for Political Practices and Orders) and EIPCC (Effective and Innovative Policymaking in Contested Contexts). This ensures a robust and interdisciplinary research environment for doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers in which individual research projects find multiple entry points for pertinent methodological and disciplinary conversations and supervision.

We welcome applications from disciplines related to the above-mentioned thematic areas and field. An interest in interdisciplinary work is required, as is a good command of German (at least B2 level). The doctoral thesis can be written in English.

Application and selection process:

The application deadline is 28.04.2025Promising applicants will receive feedback from the academic leads of the doctoral program and support in revising and amending their exposé to ensure a good fit with the requirements of the program. The exposé will then be reviewed.

Scholarships will start between October 2025 and January 2026 and are awarded for a maximum of three years. This standard funding period can be extended in justified cases/ under extenuating circumstances. Doctoral students receive a monthly scholarship of €1,650 (€1,550 basic scholarship and €100 lump sum for research costs). In addition, a health insurance allowance of up to €100 and, if applicable, family allowances can be paid. An additional increase of the basic scholarship of €100 is planned for the fall of 2026.

Decisions on doctoral scholarships are made in accordance with BMBF guidelines and HBS selection criteria.

Please submit your application including all required documents and your exposé (max. 10 pages) outlining the planned dissertation project and how it relates to the doctoral program. In case you submit your exposé in English, please also include a summary in German. Please find some further information on how to prepare the exposé here. Letters of reference are not required at this stage. Please submit your application via the Hans Böckler Foundation’s online application system. Successful scholarship applications will be announced in September 2025.

For questions on the application process, please get in touch through bewerbung@boeckler.de.