Embracing Transformation PhD and Scholarship programme

Master's graduates with a passion for transformation processes have the opportunity to participate in a unique university-wide research endeavour that combines both disciplinary and interdisciplinary seminars, workshops and conferences related to international transformation research.

The unique and internationally competitive doctoral programme provides cutting-edge methods and advanced theories in the following six interdisciplinary Key Subject Areas:

• Climate Futures in Digital Cultures
• Companies as Drivers of Sustainability Transformations
• Democratic Resilience
• Organizing in Times of Crises
• Psychology of Transformation
• Toward a Regenerative Society

Climate change, digitalisation, socio-political upheavals, globalisation, new working and organisational models – the present is characterized by profound changes. The future viability of societies depends crucially on their capacity to manage transformations. In our new international PhD Programme, “Embracing Transformation”, doctoral candidates have the unique chance to pursue a PhD degree examining transformation knowledge and processes from an interdisciplinary perspective within an intellectually inspiring environment that brings together the international and regional expertise of its many partners and networks.

The newly established Leuphana Transformation Lab, as well as the five Key Subject Areas (see above) and Psychology as a Hub Science, provide doctoral candidates with a thematically rich, diverse and supportive environment for their individual research and ensuing careers as postdocs within or outside of academia. The Leuphana Graduate School provides the necessary support structures with regard to individual guidance, extracurricular career workshops, and all administrative questions that might arise.

As a PhD student in the doctoral programme “Embracing Transformations”, you are enrolled as a regular student at Leuphana University. You can either apply for one of the highly competitive scholarships (see below) or bring your own financial support and join the programme. The start of the cohort will be April 2026; the exact details of the programme will be finalised until then. The following general elements will be part of the three-year PhD programme.

CORE CURRICULUM
Dissertation plus 30 Credit Points as part of the Leuphana doctoral courses with the opportunity to choose seminars focusing on various aspects of transformation. The Leuphana doctoral courses consist of the following six modules:

• Engaging with Research Ethics
• Discussing Research Methods
• Discussing Research Perspectives
• Practicing Research for Science and Society
• Research Forum I and II

COMMUNITY, FEEDBACK AND TRANSFER ELEMENTS

• Kick-off retreat at the beginning of the programme
• Mid-term writing and progress retreat
• Final conference

CAREER SUPPORT ELEMENTS

• New and exclusive professional programme on “Transformative Leadership and Responsibility”
• General workshops and seminars for careers in academia and beyond

CROSS-CUTTING INPUT AND NETWORKING OFFERS
“Embracing Transformation” will be enriched by international visiting lecturers, research fellows and practitioners who will provide regular lectures and workshops in their field of transformation expertise. In addition, all doctoral candidates at Leuphana are eligible for coverage for research expenses up to €4.000 annually through the Graduate School's Qualification Fund.

The application period is from 1 July - 1 October 2025.

• A qualified research proposal of the envisaged dissertation project.
• Curriculum Vitae including possible publications, conference participations etc. referring to either one of the core research areas and/ or transformation research.
• Letter of motivation stating your interest in participating in the interdisciplinary research project.
• Master's degree certificate and corresponding transcript of records.
• In some Key Subject Areas: further subject-specific requirements as listed in the application portal.
• If already applicable: copy of your enrollment for Leuphana's doctoral studies. Please note: Enrollment for doctoral studies at Leuphana is a prerequisite for the final granting of the scholarship.

• Doctoral Scholarships: Commencing in April 2026
• Monthly Stipend: €1.850 with additional child allowance
• Research Funding: Eligibility for Coverage of research expenses up to €4.000 annually through the Graduate School's Qualification Fund
• Exclusive Programme: Programme participants are offered extracurricular workshops on “Transformative and responsbile leadership” with international experts, qualifying for a variety of academic positions and careers beyond academia
• Office Space: Access to dedicated office space withing Leuphana's outstanding campus facilities, including the central building and the newly established Graduate House

Leuphana Graduate School empowers its doctoral researchers to seek answers to life’s most challenging questions. We carry out this mission by creating spaces for interdisciplinary interaction. Read and listen to their stories and become part of our graduate community!

Applicants should hold a Master's degree (or an equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject area aligned with the core research fields mentioned above. A strong interest in transformation research is essential. Self- or externally funded doctoral candidates meeting the scientific criteria are more than welcome to apply. If your Master’s degree is still pending, in some Key Subject Areas it is possible to apply without having the final Master’s certificate. This has to be obtained at the time of the selection interviews at the latest (see below). The application platform indicates whether or not it is possible to apply without the final degree certificate.

Yes, qualified applicants bringing their own funding or planning to apply for external funding are very welcome to apply for participation in the programme.

The application works via the application portal. Access to the portal will be activated soon. Here you can find further information about the documents needed.

The application process timeline is attached to each Key Subject Area. Please check the timeline for your Key Subject Area on the respective subpage.

It will be possible to apply for a completion scholarship of 6 to 12 months based on academic merits and on the progress of the PhD project.

The programme provides 36 scholarships in total, presumably 6 per research area.

International students are eligible to apply. If you have any further questions about accommodation or student life in Germany, please visit the International Center Website. The International Center is committed to providing individual high-quality service to our international students.

All programme participants become part of our Graduate School community, which offers ongoing networking opportunities and access to resources that can aid in career advancement.