The University of Konstanz is a dynamic and internationally successful research university with approximately 10,000 students. The campus university’s architecture promotes interdisciplinary cooperation and a sense of community among researchers, lecturers and students. The University of Konstanz has been continuously funded by the German Excellence Strategy since 2006.

The Cluster of Excellence “The Politics of Inequality” at the University of Konstanz brings together researchers who study the political causes and consequences of inequality, focusing on how people perceive inequalities, how these perceptions influence collective mobilisation, and how political actors react. In doing so, we adopt a broad perspective on inequality, examining dimensions such as education, income, wealth, environmental conditions, political and social rights, as well as privileges. The disciplines participating in the Cluster range from political science, sociology, economics, linguistics, and related disciplines.

The Cluster offers doctoral positions to highly motivated graduates with an outstanding Master’s degree or equivalent, obtained in a field which is relevant to the Cluster’s research agenda. PhD candidates will pursue their doctoral research projects independently or as part of a project team in one of the Cluster’ interdisciplinary research projects.

Accepted applicants will be enrolled in the Graduate School of the Social and Behavioural Sciences according to their main discipline and will specialise in “Inequality Research”. More information about the PhD projects, the requirements and the Cluster can be found here: https://www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/ungleichheit/ueber-uns/mit-uns-arbeiten/doctoral-positions/

The deadline for application is 15 April 2026. Candidates interested in applying for the advertised positions should indicate the PhD project they apply for in both the statement of purpose and on the electronic application form.

All applications should be submitted here and include a motivation letter, a CV, a letter of reference, certificates and/or a transcript of records: Online Application Portal

Questions regarding the application can be directed to the Managing Office of the Cluster cluster.inequality@uni-konstanz.de.

Pre-selected applicants for the advertised positions may be asked to submit a 3-4 page research proposal and are invited to an interview in the first half of May.