Germany: PhD Research Associate in Humanitarian Action and LGBTQI+ Policies

Job Advertisement for a Research Associate (Ph.D. student ‘Humanitarian Action and LGBTQI+ Policies’) Deadline: 31.01.2026 at midnight (CET)

Salary: Monthly PhD Scholarship from the Gerda Henkel Foundation of 1.920 € net (base amount)
plus family allowances and additional top-ups, if applicable

Contract type: Fixed-term (renewable every year for a total of 3 years)
Start date: As soon as possible

Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) is one of Germany’s leading research universities, encompassing the entire range of academic disciplines in a single campus. This highly dynamic setting enables students and researchers to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties in an interdisciplinary manner.

At the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (Institut fuer Friedensicherungsrecht und Humanitaeres Volkerrecht, IFHV), the position of Research Associate (Ph.D. student) is available starting on 1 April 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is based on a grant from the Gerda Henkel Foundation.

The IFHV is an interdisciplinary central research institute at RUB located in Bochumer Fenster (near Bochum main station). With its traditionally strong focus on and expertise in international law, the institute fosters research and teaching in the field of Humanitarian Studies, including the participation of the Faculties of Law, Social Science, Geosciences, and Public Health.

You can expect a multifaceted position in a central scientific institute with diverse cooperation partners in Germany and abroad. The position contributes to a research project entitled ‘Fraught Vulnerabilities – Praktiken der Inklusion und Exklusion von LGBTQI+ Personen in humanitaeren Krisen’/ ‘Fraught Vulnerabilities – Practices of Inclusion and Exclusion of LGBTQI+ Persons in Humanitarian Crises.’ The position involves conducting a social science PhD research project on the inclusion and exclusion of LGBTQI+ persons in humanitarian crises, with a particular emphasis on practices of aid delivery. The research project is part of the interdisciplinary cooperation in the Humanitarian Studies Network of the Universities of Bayreuth, Bochum, and Magdeburg.

Job description:
Conduct research on the inclusion and exclusion of LGBTQI+ persons in humanitarian crises, with the particular focus on practices of aid delivery. This includes desk research, review of academic, gray and policy literature, data analysis and writing of high-quality academic publications as well as communication material for community, civil society, policy and practitioner audiences;

Focus of study:
i. examine how selected international humanitarian organizations operationalize support for LGBTQI+ persons in daily practice;
ii. analyze the dynamics between international humanitarian organizations and their local LGBTQI+ partner organizations, with particular attention to autonomy and decision-making;
iii. investigate how international financing shapes local activities and priorities;
iv. assess the extent to which aid practices reflect the lived realities, needs, and vulnerabilities of LGBTQI+ individuals; and
v. evaluate how these practices influence the vulnerability and resilience of LGBTQI+ communities in crisis settings.

Collaborate on publications within the framework of the research project;

Support current networks and facilitate new connections between the Institute, other relevant academic institutions and practice partners;

Participate in the preparation and teaching of courses in BA programs and in the Network on Humanitarian Action (NOHA) Master’s program in English;

Participate in the application for external funding and the planning, proposal writing, and implementation of research projects, particularly those with an international focus; and

• Profile:
  Essential:
  Master’s degree in either the social sciences or related fields – or equivalent relevant experience;

• Strong knowledge of the international development and/or humanitarian systems, relevant actors and standards, and recent literature and debates;

• Strong interest in issues facing LGBTQI+ people and interdisciplinary, international scientific work;

• Experience in working in multicultural environments, cultural sensitivity, as well as with project planning and implementation;

• Cooperative work style, flexibility, and organizational skills; and

• Very good written and oral knowledge of English, knowledge of French, Spanish, Arabic and/or German an asset.

  Desirable:
  Some record of academic/research publications in relevant fields, including from peer-reviewed journals, or of publications for non-academic audiences;

• Strong networks in the field of humanitarian action in Germany and abroad;

• Ability to apply for and conduct externally funded research projects;

• Experience in designing and delivering advanced training and/or university courses;

• Practical experience in LGBTQI+ activism, research, and/or work in humanitarian crises. RUB is an equal-opportunity employer and seeks to enhance a fair gender distribution in all job categories and at all levels. RUB welcomes applications from female applicants and persons with disabilities.

Further information can be found on our website, www.ifhv.de, or by contacting the Project Manager at IFHV, Prof. Dr. Dennis Dijkzeul (dennis.dijkzeul@rub.de).

How to apply:
Please submit a complete application that includes a letter of motivation and a CV that includes a list of your publications, successfully obtained external funding, and an overview of your teaching experience (including evaluations, if applicable), as well as a 4-5-page research proposal on studying the practices of aid delivery and their effects on the inclusion or exclusion of LGBTQI+ persons in humanitarian action by email to dennis.dijkzeul@rub.de in a single PDF file: NAME_application with the following email subject line: NAME - Application – LGBTQI+ – Aid Practices .

You can also send us your documents by postal mail to: Institut fuer Friedenssicherungsrecht und Humanitaeres Voelkerrecht (IFHV), Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum, Prof. Dr. Dennis Dijkzeul, Massenbergstrasse 11, 44787 Bochum, Germany.

Please note that we can only return your application documents if you provide a post-paid envelope with your address.