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Applications are open for the NEXtra Doctoral Scholarship Programme 2026. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Opportunity Details
Under the EPOS (Development-Oriented Postgraduate Courses) funding programme, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) will support doctoral candidates (scholarships for 42 months, plus entitlement for a two-month German language course) in the NEXtra programme. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to conduct research work to advance the Resource Nexus and support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Selected students will be jointly supervised by experts from Technische Universitaet Dresden, UNU-FLORES and the Leibniz Institute for Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) and enrolled in one of the Joint Doctoral Programmes of TU Dresden with UNU-FLORES, and/or the Dresden Leibniz Graduate school of IOER. Additionally, students will collaborate with and support the work of the United Nations. Applicants should design their research so that it contributes to actionable sustainability transformations and SDG achievement. In addition to the academic recruitment criteria, applications will be assessed on responsiveness to regional/sub-regional contexts and evidence-based needs.
The NEXtra Doctoral Scholarship Programme offers the opportunity to study under one of the following topics:
You may apply up to two subject-related topics, by submitting one application document, which includes two separate research proposals.
Technology
Topic 1. Integrating remote sensing and the Resource Nexus for resilient post-mining land use
Topic 2. Geospatial data integration for advancing the Resource Nexus approach
Topic 3. Affective and multi-perspective maps of Resource Nexus indicators for different target groups
Topic 4. Design and usability of a scrollytelling atlas based on Resource Nexus indicators for different target groups
Nature
Topic 1. Biodiversity offsets, ecosystem restoration and net gain in an urban development context: A Resource Nexus perspective
Topic 2. Advancing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Nexus-driven Policy Pathways and Integration at Scale
Topic 3. Optimizing the land, space and materials resource nexus in the gray and green infrastructures of cities of the Global South
Topic 4. Construction follows availability – Resource efficiency potentials in an urban-regional context
People
Topic 1. The foreign policy of global powers towards Sub-Saharan Africa: Forest-mining-land use nexus
Topic 2. Integrating Resource Nexus Thinking into Publicly Financed Transformation Programmes in the Global South
Topic 3. Empowering Farmers, Traders, and Businesses: Citizen Science for Sustainable Finance and Resource Nexus Governance
Topic 4. Data-driven investigation into the spatial relationship between economic restructuring and land consumption in the context of Global South countries: A Resource Nexus perspective.
The DAAD-EPOS pays a monthly stipend of EUR 1,300 for the duration of the Doctoral Research (up to a maximum of 42 months). The stipend is expected to cover all living and education expenses. While the Doctoral programme is tuition-free, semester fees of approximately EUR 250-300 must be paid directly to TU Dresden for enrollment. The DAAD will also provide health insurance and in-person introductory German classes (in February and March 2025). An additional allowance for travel or research will be part of the scholarship offered by DAAD. Details will be shared with nominated candidates. The successful candidate must be based at the institute in Dresden, Germany.
Qualifications
Excellent academic profile including a Master’s degree with an equivalent grade of 2.5 or better according to the German system;
The Master’s degree must be completed at the beginning of the scholarship, but should not be older than six (6) years at the beginning of the doctoral research;
At least two years of related to the selected topic work experience after the first academic degree (typically, a Bachelor’s degree);
At the time of the application deadline, applicants may not have been in Germany for longer than fifteen (15) months;
Sound scientific background knowledge and methodological competencies that specifically relate to the selected topic;
First experiences in conducting preferably trans-/interdisciplinary research (e.g., research-oriented master thesis, research, or consultancy-related employment);
Strong interest and previous academic/ work experience related to at least one of the following three fields: (1) sustainability/ sustainable development; (2) development cooperation and/or (3) the Resource Nexus;
Capacity to structure complex tasks; strong analytical abilities;
Excellent writing skills and presentation skills;
Strong planning, organisation and time management skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and efficiently in different contexts (e.g., academia, UN system);
Must be flexible with the ability to establish priorities and work within prescribed timeframes;
An excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills, demonstrated by the ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
Demonstrated proficiency in English is required;
Knowledge of German and/or another UN official working language is an asset.
Responsibilities
1. Perform research work related to one of the topics listed above
Develop and implement a suitable and robust research methodology to advance the scientific knowledge within the specific topic;
Contribute to advancing the Resource Nexus approach and strategies for sustainability transformations in the context of the specific topic.
2. Collaborate within NEXtra and with the UN system
Actively participate in workshops and other events organized within NEXtra;
Actively engage in information exchange, discussions and strategic collaboration with UN entities related to your topic and region via the Resident Coordinator System as the entry- point;
Collaborate with other students in NEXtra to exchange knowledge and identify and achieve synergies.
3. Contribute to knowledge dissemination
Develop strategies for advocacy and the transfer of knowledge to other regions that face similar challenges;
Research, write and publish papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals;
Present research findings at scientific implementation-related conferences and similar events;
Communicate research findings beyond academia, e.g., by outreach to local communities or by publishing at least one transfer-oriented product, such as a policy brief.
4. Support capacity development and educational development
Contribute to the education/supervision of Master’s students at the NEXtra partner institutions and/or in the target region/country of the research;
Contribute to capacity development activities, such as organizing workshops.
5. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervision team.
Timely and quality development and implementation of the project plan;
Timely submission and successful completion of the final Doctoral Thesis;
Presentation of papers/ posters/briefing notes at conferences, seminars, workshops or similar events;
Contribute to the positive reputation of the NEXtra consortium as reliable and trustworthy partners among the research community, governments, donors, and civil society.
Competencies
Values:
Inclusion - Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity.
Integrity - Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour or any other breach of UN standards.
Humility - Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.
Humanity - Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.
Behaviours:
Connect and Collaborate - Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
Analyse and Plan - Seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
Learn and Develop - Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
Adapt and Innovate - Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways
To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Apply via the link and answer a few position-specific questions.
Submit one single PDF (instead of the P11, including all documents below and in the EPOS checklist; P11 is not required) containing:
Link to the epos_checklist.pdf (daad.de);
Link to the DAAD application form;
Link to the Europass CV Template;
Research proposal (max 13,000 characters including spaces, plus references) with the following sections: a) Background and motivation; b) State of the art and current scientific discussion; c) Research approach and methodology (including problem statement, research aim and objectives); d) Work plan; e) References.
Abstract of your Master’s thesis (max 1 page);
Reference letter from your academic supervisor, including a letterhead and signature;
Copy of higher secondary school certificate (with an official translation if not in English);
Proofs of internships (if any).
All documents must be complete, signed, and stamped where required. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Applicants who submit multiple applications or fail to provide all required documents as specified in the EPOS checklist will be disqualified from the selection process.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Start date
01 April 2026.
Please note that the programme includes a mandatory two-month German language course covered by the donor, beginning in February 2026.
Apply for NEXtra Doctoral Scholarship Programme