PhD Position in Rural Africa Livelihoods, Economics, and Agricultural Policy at University of Bonn University of Bonn in Germany

The University of Bonn is offering a PhD position within the Collaborative Research Center CRC-TRR 228 "Future Rural Africa. Future-making and social-ecological transformation". The research focuses on how livelihood choices affect the resilience of households’ welfare in rural Africa, with a specific emphasis on rural Kenya and the impact of invasive plant species, soil fertility, and land-use transitions. The successful candidate will join Prof. Thomas Heckelei’s group in Economic and Agricultural Policy and contribute to multidisciplinary research on social-ecological transformation and future-making in Africa.

Key tasks include planning and conducting household surveys in rural Kenya, contributing to a four-country survey on future-making in rural Africa, presenting research at international conferences, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. The position is ideal for candidates with a Master’s degree in economics, agricultural economics, or a related field, strong econometric skills, experience in primary data collection, and excellent English communication abilities.

The University of Bonn provides a stimulating international research environment, a strong network of research partners, and support for personal career development. The position is salaried at 70% TV-L E13 according to the German Federal pay scale. The university encourages applications from women, individuals with disabilities, and those from underrepresented groups.

Applications must be submitted electronically by January 18, 2026, including a motivation letter, CV, transcripts, certificates, Master’s thesis abstract, and references. For further information, contact Prof. Thomas Heckelei at [email protected].