The Berlin Graduate School for Global and Transregional Studies (BGTS) at Freie Universität Berlin is inviting applications for three fully funded PhD positions starting September 1, 2026. The program is part of the Cluster of Excellence "Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS)", an interdisciplinary research consortium funded by the German Research Foundation. BGTS offers a rigorous, English-language doctoral program focused on global development, transregional studies, and the contestations of liberal models of society from historical, global, and comparative perspectives.

PhD students will join a vibrant academic environment, collaborating with top institutions including Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and the Hertie School. The program encourages applications from candidates with backgrounds in social sciences, humanities, law, area studies, economics, philosophy, and education studies. Research at BGTS addresses the structures, risks, and opportunities of cross-regional interaction and the resilience of liberal scripts worldwide.

Applicants must have or be about to complete a Master’s degree with excellent grades in a relevant field and demonstrate English proficiency at the C1 level. The application requires a CV, degree certificates, proof of English proficiency, a letter of motivation, a research proposal (up to 5000 words), and two academic references. The selection process values interdisciplinary collaboration and diversity, following the SCRIPTS Diversity Rules & Guidelines.

The positions are funded for three years at 75% TV-L 13, with possible acceptance of additional third-party funding (e.g., DAAD). The program provides comprehensive training in theory, research methods, and soft skills, as well as individual supervision by senior scholars. Successful candidates will conduct independent research and write a doctoral thesis aligned with the SCRIPTS research agenda.

The application deadline is January 15, 2026. For more information, visit the FU Berlin job page or the BGTS website. Applications must be submitted via the BGTS online portal. For queries, contact [email protected].