Research Associate (PhD position) for the DFG project (65%)

The University of Bonn is an international research university offering a broad range of subjects. With a 200-year history, some 31,500 students, more than 6,000 employees and an outstanding reputation in Germany and abroad, the University of Bonn is one of the leading universities in Germany and has been awarded the status of a University of Excellence.

The Department of Southeastasia is looking to fill the following position from January 1st, 2027, or as soon as possible, initially on a fixed-term contract according to § 2(1) WissZeitVG until December, 31, 2029.

Research Associate (PhD position) for the DFG project (65%)

Department of Southeastasia

Working the Plantationocene. Ecological Labour Regimes of the Palm Oil Value Chain (PALMWORK)

PALMWORK examines the relationship between labour and the environment along the palm oil value chain, particularly in the areas of production (plantations and oil mills) and social reproduction. The project is designed as a qualitative comparative analysis of case studies from Northeast India, Ghana and Colombia. It builds on research from the fields of labour regime analysis, (feminist) labour geography, environmental labour studies and political ecology on the materiality of nature and the society–nature metabolism. The project is being carried out as part of the DFG Priority Programme 2575 ‘Sustainability and Resilience of Agri-Food Chains’ and consists of three sub-projects located at the University of Bonn, the Free University of Berlin and the University of Kassel. The position is for the sub-project in Northeast India, and is based at Bonn University.

Deadline: 22th November Reference number: 2026/447 Working time model: part time Starting date: 01.01.2017/as soon as possible Duration: December 31, 2029 Pay grade: TV-L EG 13

Your tasks

• Field research with plantation and mill workers in North-East India