Blog Post

Call for Applications for a Three Months Fellowship

14 December 2021

TRANSECT is looking for a researcher analysing China’s engagement  in agrarian and/or bioeconomy-related developments in our case study region

Maize drying in Kazakhstan © HNEE 2021 / Henryk Alff






Postgraduate 3 months short-term Fellowship

The Junior Research Group TRANSECT (Agrarian Transformations and Social-Ecological Complexities. Local Bioeconomy Scenarios in Central and South Asia) investigates social and ecological implications of agrarian change in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan to identify possible pathways towards a sustainable bioeconomy in the agricultural sector. The research group is part of the Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management at Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, which is concerned with ecosystem functions and services under global change.

As part of their study, TRANSECT seeks to analyse China’s growing interest in partnering with local governments, businesses and research facilities in the three respective countries for gearing up on agricultural production and technology enhancement – with a particular interest on bioeconomy-related developments and questions of social and ecological sustainability. 


Your responsibilities

As a short-term visiting fellow at our department you will

  • conduct independent research concerning China’s engagement and interests in agrarian and/or bioeconomy-related developments in the case study region of TRANSECT that should result in a (joint) publication,
  • actively participate in research collaboration with TRANSECT and the Centre for Econics.
  • Your analysis should ideally build on your previous or ongoing research. It should highlight Chinese perspectives and can focus on agricultural trade and development, biotechnology, bio-based economy, science- and knowledge transfer, research cooperation, development policies, agricultural investment, or green financing, but should be clearly linked to the TRANSECT research topics and objectives. It can include the analysis of (Chinese) policy documents, media, and international trade data, among other research methods and materials.

Your profile

You should be based at a research institute outside of Germany, preferably in China or Central Asia. You need at least a Masters’ degree in related study fields such as area studies, international relations, agrarian studies, human or political geography, development studies, or comparable fields. Candidates should already be engaged in research topics that they can build on or further develop during this fellowship in close collaboration with the TRANSECT team. Fluency in Chinese and good Academic English skills are required. 

What we offer

This fellowship is limited to a 3 months period and granted with a monthly bursary of 2,300 € (for postdoctoral fellow) or 1,800 € (predoctoral fellow), respectively. In addition, we will cover your flight and other transportation costs to and from Eberswalde. Your work place will be at the University for Sustainable Development, Eberswalde, Germany, in close proximity to Berlin. We offer a workplace with well-equipped academic infrastructure and a supportive research network. Candidates will have the opportunity of exchanging ideas with other researchers working on the region from the angle of different disciplines. 


Start of fellowship

The position is available from June 2022, but detailed travel dates need to be coordinated with the team. Application will be accepted until January 20, 2022.

The application should consist of a single PDF document containing

  • a cover letter with a brief description of your earliest possible starting date, your research background and interest, motivation, and particular skills that you would like to highlight
  • CV (with two reference contacts)
  • outline of your proposed topic of research (maximum 1,000 words)


Further information

Dr Michael Spies: Michael.Spies@hnee.de


Please send your application to: transect@hnee.de



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