Kiel University, Germany, offers
15 PhD positions within the Research Training Group “DIVERSILIENCE – DIVERSification for Food
Systems ResILIENCE”
With one project interesting for economic geographers: Impact of lock-ins and diversification on resilience of regional agricultural production systems
Duration: 3,5 years
Background
Due to economies of scale some rural and semi-rural regional economies are characterized by a high degree of specialization in certain agricultural products. These regional economies are dominated by so-called specialized regional agricultural production systems, which are prone to path dependenceand lock-ins, which potentially can be overcome by diversification and regionalization.
Objectives
The overall objective is to analyze how path dependence, lock-ins and the relatedly institutional context affect diversification, resilience and regionalization of two specialized regional agricultural production systems, from a multi-scalar perspective.
Employment requirements
Master (or equivalent): Human Geography or related discipline
Knowledge of economic geography and agri-food geographies is desirable
Knowledge about qualitative research methods is considered an advantage
Homepage: https://www.wigeo.uni-kiel.de/en
The deadline for applications is 20.2.26.
The selection days will be held from 02.03. – 20.3.
The program itself starts on April 15, 2026 (a later start date is possible).
Kiel University sees itself as a modern and cosmopolitan employer. We welcome your application regardless of your age, gender, cultural and social origin, religion, worldview, disability or sexual
identity. We support gender equality. You can read more about our values in our Code of Conduct.
The University also supports the employment of disabled persons. Persons with disabilities will, with appropriate qualification and aptitudes, be employed preferentially.
We also support the application of people with a foreign background.
The University strongly encourages women with appropriate qualifications to apply for the position.
Women with equivalent qualifications, competence and expertise will be given preference.
Applications should include: a letter of motivation (max. 1 page), curriculum vitae and transcripts of degree. We explicitly ask you to refrain from submitting photographs/application photos.
Please indicate clearly in your application which of the advertised doctoral projects you are applying for. Please apply with a single PDF via Email to Dr. Svenja Fedde (sfedde@nutrition.uni-
kiel.de).
If you have any questions on the RTG program or individual projects, you may contact Dr. Svenja Fedde.