The Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network, SUPER (Sustainable Sports and Physical Activity for Equity and Resilience), is offering a PhD fellowship focused on developing solutions for more sustainable grassroots and professional sport events. This position is based at the Department of Sport Science and Sport at Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany, and is part of a network of 17 pioneering fellowships at the intersection of sustainability and sports science.

The research project aims to radically rethink how physical activity is promoted and practised to address climate change. The doctoral candidate will engage in transformative research to strengthen the evidence base on the negative environmental impacts of sports, with a particular focus on travel distances to nature sport sites and league play. The project will confront sport federations with the greenhouse gas emissions caused by their activities and propose structural changes, such as modifications to game schedules and formats, to reduce travel distances and emissions.

Key responsibilities include investigating the drivers of sports' negative impacts on planetary health, analysing how sport federations make decisions regarding game formats and schedules, supporting a sport federation in reducing its environmental footprint, and conducting a systematic literature review of climatic stress and strain indices. The candidate will report findings through scientific publications, present at national and international conferences, contribute to the broader SUPER project, and participate in educational activities within the department and consortium.

The position offers a full-time PhD fellowship for three years, with a fee-free PhD registration. The MSCA programme provides competitive working conditions, including a monthly living allowance (€4010, subject to country correction coefficient), mobility allowance (€710), and family allowance (€660 if applicable). All amounts are subject to tax and contributions. Secondment opportunities in industry and other European academic institutions are available.

Applicants must have or be finalising a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (environmental sciences, social sciences, computer sciences, public health, or sport sciences), possess practical skills in transformative or action research, and have experience in grassroots activism for social and climate justice. Excellent English proficiency is required. MSCA eligibility conditions apply: candidates must not already hold a doctoral degree and must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months before recruitment. Desirable competencies include open-mindedness, self-awareness, collaboration, critical thinking, teamwork, and strong communication skills.

The application deadline is Sunday, 19th April 2026. To apply, send your motivational letter (1-2 pages), BA/MA transcripts, and CV (as PDFs in one file) to [email protected], clearly stating the position you are applying for. Please do not use AI tools to write your motivational letter. Applicants are encouraged to attend information sessions on Monday, 23rd March 2026, for further details about the SUPER Doctoral Network and the application process.

This fellowship is funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network under Horizon Europe and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation. The selection process is open, transparent, merit-based, impartial, and equitable, in line with the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.