Doctoral researcher position (m/f/x)

In order to fill a fixed-term position in part-time (29,8725 hours/week) at the earliest possible date, we are looking for a

Doctoral researcher position (m/f/x)

The Collaborative Research Centre 1759 “Habitability as a Fundamental Planetary Process: Towards a Paradigm Shift Away from Our Perception of the Uniqueness of Earth” (CRC 1759 https://www.geo.fu-berlin.de/en/geol/fachrichtungen/planet/projects/SFB1759/index.html), funded by the German Research Foundation, investigates planetary habitability as a fundamental process shaped by the physical, geological, chemical, biological, and societal conditions of planetary bodies. By bringing together researchers from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, the CRC seeks to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of habitable environments beyond Earth and of the scientific, ethical, cultural, and societal implications of their exploration. Within project C05, “Colonisation,” a part-time doctoral researcher position in the field of Theology, Religious Studies, Philosophy, Ethics, or a closely related discipline is available. The position is fixed-term until June 30, 2030.

Project C05 investigates the scientific, societal, ethical, philosophical, and religious dimensions of establishing a sustained human presence beyond Earth. The successful candidate (m/f/x) will conduct a doctoral research project within Work Package 3. The project will provide a systematic historical and hermeneutical analysis of religious, theological, philosophical, and ethical thought concerning human space exploration, planetary protection, and settlement beyond Earth. It will investigate how different models of exploration and colonisation have been conceptualised, justified, criticised, and related to broader understandings of humanity, nature, responsibility, and the future of society. On the basis of this analysis, the doctoral project will identify and categorise ethical, philosophical, and theological models that may inform future scenarios of human settlement. The successful candidate (m/f/x) will pursue a doctoral degree on this topic and complete a dissertation in the form of a monograph written either in German or in English.

Scope: part-time
Duration: fixed-term, 30.06.2030
Start: at the earliest possible date
Apply by: 2026-08-10

Your tasks:

• Conducting a doctoral research project on religious, theological, philosophical, and ethical models of human space exploration and settlement
• Preparing a systematic overview of historical and contemporary literature on human space exploration, planetary protection, and human settlements on the Moon, Mars, and potentially exoplanets
• Performing hermeneutical analyses of theological, religious, philosophical, and ethical texts and debates
• Identifying and categorising models of exploration, colonisation, responsibility, planetary protection, and future human societies
• Analysing the historical development of concepts and narratives concerning human space exploration and their underlying religious, philosophical, and ethical values
• Examining current scientific, political, public, and religious debates on space exploration in relation to the historical and conceptual models identified
• Collaborating with other work packages and projects within the CRC
• Contributing to joint publications and other interdisciplinary research outputs
• Presenting research findings at national and international conferences, workshops, and symposia
• Participating actively in the working groups, meetings, and collaborative activities of CRC 1759

Your profile:

• Completed university degree at Master’s level or equivalent in Theology, Religious Studies, Philosophy, Ethics, History of science, or a closely related discipline
• Sound knowledge of at least one of the following fields: ethics of technology, environmental ethics, theological anthropology, philosophy of science, philosophy of technology, religion and science, future studies.
• Strong interest in the ethical, religious, philosophical, and societal dimensions of space exploration and human settlement beyond Earth
• Very good knowledge of hermeneutical and historical research methods
• Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers from the natural sciences, psychology, communication science, and other humanities disciplines
• Excellent written and spoken English proficiency
• Good knowledge of German or willingness to acquire sufficient German-language proficiency for participation in the research environment
• Ability to work independently and systematically as well as collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team
• Flexibility, reliability, strong organisational skills, and a high level of academic commitment
• Since the position is funded exclusively through external third-party funding provided by the German Research Foundation, no regular teaching obligations are associated with the position