PhD Researcher in Mobility Rights in the Global Context of Multiple Crises

At the University of Göttingen -Public Law Foundation-, RTG 2987 Mobility rights in the Global Context of Multiple Crises, there is a position as

to be filled. Starting date is as soon as possible. The position is limited to 4 years.

Mobility Rights in the Global Context of Multiple Crises

Research Focus: Our RTG examines how mobility rights are being defined, challenged and transformed during a time when migration is often framed as a crisis. We investigate these developments on the basis of diverse regional and thematic perspectives.

Interdisciplinary Approach: As a PhD candidate, you will conduct your own research project related to one of our key research areas (RA), RA 11 „Migration agreements: A bilateral avenue to control mobility at global levels“ (see below). By engaging with different disciplinary perspectives from the Social Sciences, Cultural Science as well as Law Studies, you will learn to understand legal dynamics and complexities in diverse migration policy-related fields. Our goal is to develop an innovative socio-legal framework which recognises how legal systems and societies shape one another.

What we offer:

• Personalised supervision and disciplinary training
• Collaborative interdisciplinary coursework
• Career-development support and mentorship
• Commitment to equal opportunities and diversity
• Exchange with international experts, including two distinguished judges

The University of Göttingen and its Centre for Global Migration Studies, among other bodies, offer a vibrant research environment and access to different networks – from the local level for fieldwork or internship opportunities to international partnerships supporting research stays abroad.

We are seeking highly motivated candidates who wish to conduct their PhD training in a rich interdisciplinary environment. Previous research experience in collaborative contexts is beneficial. Successful applicants are expected to work together with others in this interdisciplinary environment by, among other things, sharing their own disciplinary perspectives, preliminary research insights as well as data with peers. They are also able to convince via excellent critical-thinking and communication skills.

Meeting the following prerequisites is expected:

• Degree: Completed academic university degree (Master’s or equivalent, rated good or very good) in Law Studies
• Language skills: Fluency in spoken and written English, as the RTG’s main working language. German or other language skills when required for the individual research proposal
• Admission to the doctoral programme: Fulfillment of all requirements for doing a doctorate at the Faculty of Law. Please check the requirements for your respective discipline here: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/36726.html
• Research proposal: Must be innovative, feasible and self-designed. Making a relevant contribution to the RTG’s overall foci as well as to RA 11 (see below) should be demonstrated, including via the promising implementation of cross-disciplinary socio-legal perspectives.
• Subject-specific or methodological skills: Fulfillment of all requirements to conduct research in RA 11 (see below).

Supporting material to be submitted (in English or German):

• CV
• Application letter (max. 1 page) stating your motivation for completing a doctorate as part of the RTG
• An outline of the proposed project (max. 2 pages)
• A writing sample (10 pages in length, e.g. an excerpt from a Master’s thesis or other publications)
• A list of publications (if applicable)
• Proof of language skills (if required), such as relevant certificates
• Certificate of the academic university degree (including transcript of records)
• Names and contact information for two references
• Answers to the questions listed in the application portal

Further information:
More information on the RTG 2987 can be found online at: www.uni-goettingen.de/rtg2987.
There you can find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the application process. If you have any further questions regarding the application process, please send an e-mail to: rtg2987@uni-goettingen.de.
If you have any questions regarding the advertised positions or RA 11, please contact the main supervisor involved (see below).

Application deadline and procedures:
Please upload your application as one consolidated PDF file by 30.06.2026 via the University of Göttingen’s application portal (see below).
Depending on geographic distance and practical feasibility, applicants will be invited to attend interviews either in person or online. Travel expenses can be reimbursed up to an amount of 300 euros. 

RTG 2987 is strongly committed to promoting equal opportunities and diversity. We consider diversity and a diversity of perspectives as particularly enriching of our work, especially from among those underrepresented in academia (or some of the disciplines involved in the RTG’s work). We therefore welcome applications from all individuals irrespective of gender, social status, religion, ethnic origin, nationality or migration background.

Research Area (RA) for PhD project proposals
You can find an overview of the RTG’s key research areas here: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/research+areas/696116.html. Applicants are expected to contribute to:

RA 11. Migration agreements: A bilateral avenue to control mobility at global levels
Mobility is the subject of an increasing number of diverse bilateral arrangements such as repatriation agreements, migration partnerships, agreements on labor migration as well as trade agreements. From a global governance perspective, RA 11 will explore the contexts and drivers of these forms of bilateralism and asses their potential to promote or question mobility rights.
Required subject-specific or methodological skills: Doctoral students in this RA are expected to have experience in law, particularly international law and international relations and legal research. In view of the socio-legal and interdisciplinary perspective of the RTG, they should have a demonstrated interest and willingness to engage on the further development of these methodological approaches within the group and to apply them in the project.
Supervisor/contact: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Peter-Tobias Stoll, Institute of International and European Law (Peter-Tobias.Stoll@jura.uni-goettingen.de).

The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply in fields in which they are underrepresented. The university has committed itself to being a family-friendly institution and supports their employees in balancing work and family life. The University is particularly committed to the professional participation of severely disabled employees and therefore welcomes applications from severely disabled people. In the case of equal qualifications, applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preference. A disability or equality is to be included in the application in order to protect the interests of the applicant.

Please upload your application in one pdf file including the usual documents until 6/30/2026 on the application portal of the university using this link: http://obp.uni-goettingen.de/de-de/OBF/Index/76507. For more information get in touch with Jelka Günther directly via E-Mail: Jelka.Guenther@phil.uni-goettingen.de, Tel. +49 551 39 25358 .

Please note:
With submission of your application, you accept the processing of your applicant data in terms of data-protection law. Further information on the legal basis and data usage is provided in the Information General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

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