Applications are now open for 24 doctoral researcher positions and 8 postdoctoral researcher positions under the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1780 “Food System Diversification for Sustainable Nutrition” (FoodDiverse), based at the University of Bonn in Germany. The program covers fields such as agricultural economics, soil science, nutrition, epidemiology, agroecology, biodiversity research, systems modeling, and computer science, spread across 19 individual sub-projects.
These are fully paid positions, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), and open to applicants regardless of nationality. There is no application fee. The deadline to apply is 14 June 2026, and successful candidates will begin their contracts on 1 October 2026, or possibly earlier.
Below is everything you need to know about this opportunity, broken down in a simple and reader-friendly way.
What Is CRC 1780 FoodDiverse?:
CRC 1780, known by its short name FoodDiverse, is a large-scale research program looking into how diversifying food systems, whether that means farms, diets, markets, or trade, can support human health and environmental sustainability at the same time. The research work happens in both Germany and Ghana, run in close partnership with the University of Ghana. The center is led by Spokesperson Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim (agricultural economics) and Vice-Spokesperson Prof. Dr. Ute Nöthlings (nutrition epidemiology).
The CRC is structured into several sub-projects, grouped under themes like agricultural production (A-projects), markets and food systems (B-projects), and diet and health (C-projects), along with supporting infrastructure projects. Each sub-project comes with its own supervisors, research focus, and specific vacancies, which we’ve listed further down.
Key Details:
- Program Name: CRC 1780 , Food System Diversification for Sustainable Nutrition (FoodDiverse)
- Funded By: German Research Foundation (DFG)
- Host Institution: University of Bonn, together with partner institutions ZALF Müncheberg, LIB Bonn, DZNE Bonn, and IDOS Bonn
- Host Country: Germany (with fieldwork also taking place in Ghana for several projects)
- Positions Available: 24 doctoral researcher posts and 8 postdoctoral researcher posts
- Degree Level: Doctoral (PhD) and Postdoctoral research positions
- Application Deadline: 14 June 2026
- Contract Start Date: 1 October 2026, or earlier if possible
- Contract Duration: Fixed-term for three years, with the possibility of a one-year extension; postdoctoral contracts may be extended further depending on continued DFG funding
- Salary Scale: TV-L pay grade 13 (65 percent for doctoral researchers, 100 percent for postdoctoral researchers), following the German public sector pay structure
- Open to All Nationalities: Yes, the CRC states it welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, with no nationality restriction mentioned
- Application Fee: None
What This Position Offers:
This is not a scholarship in the traditional sense, it is a paid academic job, which comes with several advantages for someone building a research career.
- A regular salary under the German TV-L pay scale, meaning doctoral researchers are compensated at 65 percent of grade 13 and postdoctoral researchers at the full 100 percent, rather than receiving a fixed stipend
- Employment contracts running for three years, with a realistic pathway to a fourth year
- The opportunity to work as part of a large, well-connected research community made up of professors, fellow doctoral researchers, and postdocs across multiple disciplines
- Access to fieldwork and data collection opportunities in both Germany and Ghana, giving researchers hands-on international exposure rather than desk-based work alone
- Structured training and career development support through the Integrated Research Training Group (IRTG), which is built specifically to guide doctoral and postdoctoral researchers through their time in the CRC
- The chance to work alongside senior academics with strong publication records in fields like agricultural economics, nutrition epidemiology, biodiversity science, and food policy
- Involvement in interdisciplinary projects that combine survey data, remote sensing, biochemical analysis, and computational modeling, which builds a broad and highly transferable skill set
- A clear route into further academic or applied research careers once the position ends, supported by co-authored publications and an established professional network
Eligibility Criteria:
Since this program covers 19 separate sub-projects, the exact requirements shift slightly depending on which position you are applying for. That said, some general conditions apply across the board.
- Applicants for doctoral positions should hold a Master’s degree (or an equivalent qualification) in a field relevant to the specific project they are applying to, such as agricultural economics, soil science, nutrition, ecology, epidemiology, or a related discipline
- Applicants for postdoctoral positions should hold a completed Doctorate in a relevant field, along with a track record of publications
- Some doctoral positions call for specific technical expertise, for example, laboratory skills such as ICP or AAS analysis for the soil and plant nutrient position, or experience with geospatial datasets for biodiversity-focused roles
- A strong academic background matched to the chosen project is expected, and candidates are encouraged to review individual project descriptions carefully before choosing which ones to apply for
- Applicants may apply for up to three preferred projects within the CRC, ranked in order of preference
- Two academic reference persons must be nominated as part of the application
- There is no stated nationality restriction, and the CRC describes itself as committed to diversity across origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and cultural background
Programs Available:
Below is a simple list of the research fields covered under this CRC. Candidates can choose which field matches their background and academic interest.
- Soil and plant nutrient analysis
- Soil ecology and agroecosystem biodiversity
- Bioinformatics and molecular microbial ecology
- Crop science and agronomy
- Biodiversity research (tropical ecosystems)
- Biodiversity research (statistical and geospatial analysis)
- Agroforestry
- Agricultural economics
- Agricultural and environmental economics
- Environmental economics
- Consumer behavior and food economics
- Sociology
- Nutrition and nutrition physiology
- Nutritional epidemiology
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Systems modeling
- Computer science and geoinformatics
- Food systems science (agriculture, nutrition, and environment combined)
- Public health nutrition
How to Apply:
The application process is entirely online, and every document has to be uploaded in PDF format. Here is a walkthrough of the steps involved.
- Visit the official CRC 1780 application portal and create your application profile
- Choose up to three preferred sub-projects from the list above, ranked in order of preference
- Prepare a motivation letter that clearly explains your interest in the CRC generally and in the specific project(s) you are applying for
- Prepare a full CV, and for postdoctoral applicants, include a list of your publications
- Upload your academic certificates and transcripts, Master’s degree documents for doctoral applicants, and Doctorate documents for postdoctoral applicants
- Submit a writing sample, doctoral applicants should upload their Master’s thesis, while postdoctoral applicants should upload a recent research article
- Provide the names and contact details of two academic referees
- Fill in the remaining details requested on the online application form and submit before the deadline
Applications must be submitted before 14 June 2026 through the official portal. Late or incomplete applications, including those missing required documents, may not be considered, so it helps to start gathering your paperwork early rather than waiting until the final days.
Frequently Asked Questions?:
Is this a scholarship or a paid job? It is a paid academic position, not a scholarship or stipend program. Doctoral researchers are paid at 65 percent of German TV-L pay grade 13, and postdoctoral researchers receive the full 100 percent salary under the same pay grade.
Who funds CRC 1780 FoodDiverse? The program is funded by the German Research Foundation, known in Germany as the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft).
Can international applicants from any country apply? Yes. The CRC does not list any nationality restriction and states that it welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.
Is there an application fee? No, there is no cost to apply for any of the doctoral or postdoctoral positions under this CRC.
How many positions are available in total? There are 24 doctoral researcher positions and 8 postdoctoral researcher positions spread across 19 sub-projects.
What documents do I need to prepare? You will need a motivation letter, a CV (with publications for postdoctoral applicants), academic certificates and transcripts, a writing sample, and the contact details of two academic referees.
Can I apply for more than one project within the CRC? Yes, applicants can apply for up to three preferred projects, listed in order of preference, within a single application.
Where will the research take place? Most positions are based at the University of Bonn, with some located at partner institutions including ZALF Müncheberg, LIB Bonn, DZNE Bonn, and IDOS Bonn. Several projects also involve fieldwork in Ghana, since the CRC is conducted in partnership with the University of Ghana.
When does the contract start, and how long does it last? Contracts are expected to begin on 1 October 2026, or earlier where possible, and run for three years initially, with an extension to a fourth year generally possible. Postdoctoral contracts may be extended even further, depending on whether the CRC secures a second phase of DFG funding.
What is the application deadline? The deadline to submit applications is 14 June 2026, through the official online application portal.
