PhD Scholarships in Socioecological Implications of Nuclear Sites at Rachel Carson Center, LMU Munich
The Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society at Ludwig Maximilian University Munich is offering two fully-funded PhD positions as part of a five-year research project, sponsored by the Volkswagen Foundation's Change! funding scheme. The project, titled “(Dis)Empowered Communities,” is a comparative study of nuclear decommissioning experiences in Belgium, Germany, Italy, and the United States. It aims to understand how collective memories, environmental conditions, and technical characteristics of nuclear sites influence decommissioning choices and outcomes. The research will be supervised by Dr. Davide Orsini at LMU Munich. The RCC is a leading center for environmental humanities, hosting international scholars and operating in English. PhD candidates will engage in a year of training and preliminary research, followed by 12 months of fieldwork and archival research, and will participate in team-based research design, workshops, and documentary filmmaking. Applicants must have an MA in anthropology, history, geography, cultural studies, or a related field, fluency in English, and proficiency in a relevant local language. Experience in ethnographic fieldwork, archival research, and video ethnography is preferred. The positions are fully funded, with compensation based on 65% of level E13 public service tariff, 30 days paid vacation, flexible hours, and a family-friendly environment. The RCC assists with work permits and visas, and candidates must have German health insurance and contribute to the social welfare system. Applications are due by November 30, 2025, and should include a cover letter, CV, degree certificates, a writing sample, and references. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom in December 2025.