15 PhD Positions in Agri-sciences and Food Systems Resilience at Kiel University

Kiel University is offering 15 PhD positions within the Research Training Group "DIVERSILIENCE – DIVERSification for Food Systems ResILIENCE." These positions focus on agri-sciences and food systems, with research topics spanning agricultural landscapes, food products, dietary patterns, and their impacts on the environment, human health, and society. The program investigates how diversity along the food supply chain can enhance the resilience of food systems to crises, involving principal investigators from agricultural, ecological, nutritional, economic, and social sciences. PhD projects cover a wide range of topics, including aquaculture management, ecological intensification, microbiome resilience, land use impacts, crop diversification, food system policies, economic diversity, dietary diversity, and the link between diversity and consumer resilience. One highlighted project, supervised by Prof. C. Hölzel, focuses on the resilience of diverse microbiomes against agricultural selection of antibiotic resistance genes, using molecular biological and bioinformatic methods. The positions are funded for 3.5 or 4 years, starting April 15, 2026, with remuneration according to the German public-sector pay scale (TV-L E13) at 65% of a full-time position. The working language is English, and applicants must demonstrate C1-level proficiency. Candidates should hold a Master's degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Agrigenomics, or a related field, and possess relevant laboratory and experimental design skills. A strong interest in interdisciplinary research on food systems and willingness to acquire bioinformatics skills are essential. Kiel University encourages applications from women, people with disabilities, and those with foreign backgrounds. Applications should include a letter of motivation, CV, and transcripts, submitted as a single PDF to Dr. Svenja Fedde ([email protected]), clearly indicating the doctoral project(s) of interest. The application deadline is February 20, 2026, with selection days from March 2 to March 20, 2026. More information is available on the university's website.