UNU-EHS (United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security, Bonn) is seeking a Research Associate for its Well-being and Equity (WE) Division, a science-to-policy research area that assesses the preconditions for well-being, sustainability and equity beyond purely monetary measures. The post is on-site in Bonn, Germany, on a one-year national Personnel Service Agreement (PSA), renewable, and includes enrolment in a doctoral programme being established by the University of Bonn and UNU-EHS.
Responsibilities:
- Contribute to transformation research and theory building on well-being and equity, including research frameworks, alternative socio-ecological models and approaches to assessing well-being, and qualitative, quantitative and creative research methodologies.
- Support strategic engagement and proposal writing: help establish the Well-being Alliance for Research, Policy and Practice, identify and evaluate funding opportunities, and draft project proposals with donors and partners.
- Advance your academic profile: develop a PhD topic and methodology on well-being and equity, enrol in the doctoral programme, carry out PhD research and take part in doctoral training.
- Contribute to scholarly and policy outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, outreach materials, and presentations at scientific and policy conferences.
Requirements:
- Master's degree or equivalent in a scientific discipline relevant to the WE thematic areas that qualifies for doctoral admission.
- Familiarity with transformation, well-being and equity research concepts and with multi-method approaches (qualitative or quantitative).
- Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams; strong communication and academic writing skills.
- Fluency in English; German is an asset.
Desirable: one year of relevant research experience; transdisciplinary and international project experience; familiarity with Futures Literacy, creative methods, indigenous knowledge, multi-actor networks and proposal writing.
The post is open to applicants from all countries; UNU will assist the successful candidate with a German work visa. It is a locally recruited post with no relocation allowances.
Application Deadline: 09 November 2026.
HOW TO APPLY:
Fill out the UNU P11 Form (including a motivation statement), provide a cover letter setting out how your qualifications and experience match the requirements, answer the position-specific questions, and apply via the apply link on the UNU careers page. No account is required. Submissions must be received by 23:59 CET on 09 November 2026.
https://careers.unu.edu/o/research-associate-psa-3-5