SDGnexus Network

Homepage: https://www.sdgnexus.net

The SDG ^nexus Network, based at the Center for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU)
of Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany awards

Two Doctoral Scholarships: Patterns, Causes, and Consequences of Agricultural Transitions, Land Use and Water Nexus within the Research Group “Land Use” (focus on Central Asia, including Mongolia and north-eastern Latin America)

The scholarships will run for four years

Background

The SDG ^nexus Network, consisting of partners from Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
and Uzbekistan, provides a common research framework related to the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) of the United Nations and aims to analyze the nexus of SDGs, i.e., synergies and trade-offs among
individual SDGs. Besides, a particular focus lays on promoting and connecting the next generation of
scientists in the partner regions. The research concentrates on examining the relationships between
individual SDGs, with particular emphasis on land use and water. For this purpose, two SDGnexus Network
Research Groups focusing on “Land Use” and “Water” are established. This call for doctoral scholarship
positions is related to the research group “Land Use” based at ZEU in Giessen, Germany.

The research group “Land Use” aims to advance methods and uncover patterns of agricultural land use
transitions and water nexus. It also seeks to evaluate the state of agricultural infrastructure and its impact
on land change processes; to identify the drivers of shifts in agricultural land-use decisions, agricultural
expansion, farmland abandonment, and underuse; and to assess their implications for society and the
environment. The group employs a mixed-methods approach, combining satellite remote sensing with land
use modeling.

The research group is currently seeking two PhD students. PhD student 1 is expected to focus more on
remote sensing component of land use land cover change studies, while PhD student 2 focuses more on
land use modeling, assessment of drivers of land use change and land-water nexus. The PhD students will
build expertise in the integrative use of satellite remote sensing for land change studies and land use
modeling, with the specific focus and depth of expertise shaped by their individual interests. The PhD
students are expected to mutually exchange ideas with other PhD students in the SDGnexus Network, benefit
from joint seminars, relevant courses, and events, and have opportunities for collaboration and joint
publications. The framework and a short description of the work packages linked to PhD students can be
found in the research concept

For general information on the ZEU and the SDGnexus Network see https://www.uni-giessen.de/zeu and
www.sdgnexus.net

What we offer

• An opportunity to pursue a highly engaging PhD thesis.
• A full-time scholarship (EUR 1,300/ month plus health insurance) for four years, which allows you
  to work on your doctoral dissertation.
• An additional study support of EUR 460 per year for the first three years.
• Family allowances for accompanying spouse or registered civil partner and accompanying children.
• A fully equipped working place at the Center for International Development and Environmental
  Research based at the Justus Liebig University Giessen.
• A research network with partners from Latin America and Central Asia that grant you a close
  collaboration with ongoing research projects.
• Access to an advanced training program that allows you to strengthen your professional as well as
  research skills.
• Comprehensive guidance and supervision.
• Strong ties to the global Land System Science community, providing access to a wide range of
  relevant activities and opportunities.

Applications Requirements

• You have a master’s degree in Geography, Environmental Sciences, Environmental or Agricultural
  Economics (focus on Land Economics), Remote Sensing, Geoinformatics or a discipline related to
  land systems.
• You are experienced in statistical analysis, preferably with a focus on land-use modeling,
  econometric analysis.
• You have experience or wish to extend knowledge in satellite imagery applications or land use
  modeling for Land Use and Land Cover Change studies.
• You have programming experience (i.e., R, Python, STATA) and are skilled or interested in analyzing
  geospatial data using GIS software.
• You have advanced communication skills in spoken and written English and excellent scientific
  writing skills.
• You have some experience or a strong willingness to conduct fieldwork.
• You have a citizenship of an ODA recipient country.
• Your last academic degree should not have been acquired more than six years ago at the point of
  application.
• Applicants should not have been staying in the Federal Republic of Germany for longer than 15
  months at the time of application. This does not apply to applicants who arrived in the Federal
  Republic of Germany in the context of academic studies or research work and have therefore been
  staying in Germany for longer. Additionally, individuals who have been granted refugee status are
  exempt from this regulation.

Application process

Please submit your application until August 20, 2025, using our online platform

Documents supporting the applications must be submitted as a single PDF file. Only complete applications,
with documents in the order listed below, will be accepted:

• A cover letter outlining your motivation for applying to the call.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Academic Certificates.
• List of publications (optional).
• Two recent letters of recommendation from professors, course instructors, or other people
  qualified to assess your academic achievements or at least contact information of these professors,
  including e-mails.

Under equal qualification, applicants coming from SDGnexus Network partner universities will be prioritized.
The SDGnexus Network is seeking a larger percentage of women in academia; therefore, qualified female
applicants are especially encouraged to apply. Please be aware that we will only contact successful
applicants.
The SDGnexus Network is supported by the DAAD with funds from the Federal Ministry for Economic
Cooperation and Development (BMZ).