The University of Freiburg is going to launch the “Young Academy for Sustainability” in spring 2021 with the objective of hosting the world’s finest post-doctoral talents to undertake frontier research in the field of sustainability at the University of Freiburg. The “Young Academy for Sustainability Research” is funded by the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation and provides two 2-year anchor junior fellowships, including an attractive salary, a research cost contribution and conference grants as well as other benefits.

The fellows will have the opportunity to live in a vibrant city, work at a leading global university, and conduct research in an academic community that strives for excellence and impact. The Fellowships offer a unique opportunity for outstanding junior researchers who wish to make major contributions to the emerging field of sustainability science and related grand societal challenges.

The fellowships are addressed to post-doctoral scholars who wish to make major contributions to the emerging field of sustainability science. Specifically, the proposed projects should address one, but preferably several of the following cross-cutting thematic areas: (1) environmental risks; (2) adaptation, vulnerability, and resilience; (3) innovations for sustainability; (4) systemic transitions to sustainability; (5) power, responsibility, and sustainability. In their proposals, applicants are asked to briefly describe how their interdisciplinary research can lead to internationally recognized impact and how it contributes with new impulses to the above-mentioned thematic areas.

Typical candidates will be exceptional postdoctoral scientists who must have demonstrated outstanding intellectual quality. Original and innovative ideas to tackle emerging, complex problems and the courage to open new research frontiers are essential. The all-important selection criteria are the academic excellence of both the applicant and the project proposal.  Applicants must have a completed PhD plus one to six years post-doctoral experience at the time of the application deadline.

Successful applicants will become FRIAS fellows with all the corresponding rights and obligations for the requested funding period. Fellowships include a two-year full time employment contract with the University of Freiburg. Selected candidates will receive a salary according to grade TV-L E13 (the standard rate for junior scientific staff at German universities, approximately 70,000 € per year pre-tax (depending on personal conditions around 30-35 % tax and social security payments will be deducted)). As part of their employment contract, the fellows are covered by national insurance (unemployment, pension, health and accident insurance).

Each fellow will receive a travel allowance to cover the costs of the inbound and outbound journey, an annual research cost contribution of € 4,500 and conference support of € 1,800 per year.

Career guidance is offered to each Junior Fellow. Since one of the aims of FRIAS is to foster cross-disciplinary communication, full-time presence at FRIAS is mandatory.

FRIAS unites research in the humanities and social sciences, the natural and life sciences, engineering, and medicine. The Institute supports academic exchange across existing boundaries: between disciplines, between different cultures and countries, between established and younger researchers. Furthermore, FRIAS engages in activities opening the research community to society and politics. Fellows will be part of this community and profit from the lively research environment of the university and its eleven faculties. Each successful fellow will join a research team of his/her choice at the University of Freiburg.

The Institute provides its fellows with modern office space and an up-to-date infrastructure. Fellows have full access to all library services from one of the leading German university libraries. Special attention is given to fellows who plan to come to Freiburg together with their families. FRIAS makes every effort to provide tailor-made solutions with regard to suitable accommodation, child care and educational facilities.

Electronic applications (Formatting: font Arial, 11 pt, line spacing 1.5, all margins 2.5 cm)

in English including

• a short motivation letter (max.1 page)
• a research proposal detailing the specific aims to be pursued (max. 6 pages)
• a CV (max. 2 pages)
• a list of publications (max. 2 pages)
• a list of references (no letters of recommendation are required at this stage)

in one single PDF-file should be sent to application@frias.uni-freiburg.de by March 14, 2021; 24.00 h CET.