Doctoral Scholarship in the doctoral reseach group "Psychology"

19.02.2026 Doctoral Scholarship "Psychology of Transformation" in the School of Management and Technology (doctoral reseach group Psychology) embedded in the “EMBRACING TRANSFORMATION” PROGRAM

Leuphana University Lüneburg promotes the qualification of academically excellent researchers in the doctoral phase. For the purpose of financing their own research project, a doctoral scholarship “Psychology of Transformation” will be awarded in the School of Management and Technology (doctoral research group “Psychology”) on 01 April 2026.

The scholarship is embedded in the newly established international doctoral program “Embracing Transformation” which invites applications from academically outstanding and committed Master’s graduates striving to become part of a new hub for transformation research at Leuphana University of Lüneburg. The doctoral scholars will take part in a unique university-wide research endeavor, combining both disciplinary and interdisciplinary seminars, workshops and conferences related to international transformation research. The unique and internationally competitive doctoral program provides cutting-edge methods and advanced theories in six interdisciplinary research fields (Key Subject Areas) named on the Embracing Transformation website.

The scholarship is embedded within the Hub Science “Psychology of Transformation”.

Applications may be submitted with an individual research proposal aligned with the research priorities in psychology at the School of Management and Technology or specifically with the topic “Occupational Health in the Context of the Polycrisis” (Prof. Dr. Franziska Kößler, Prof. Dr. Laura Venz). Scholarship recipients are expected to pursue an empirical PhD project at Leuphana University Lüneburg using quantitative research methods or mixed methods and to be interested in current debates in work, organizational, and business psychology and related disciplines. Within the specific thematic area “Occupational Health in the Context of the Polycrisis”, the PhD project is expected to contribute to research on “precarious work/employment”, “occupational health”, and/or “social inequalities in the workplace” situated in the broader context of the polycrisis. Scholarship recipients are explicitly encouraged to consider multi-level processes.

The call for applications is aimed at exceptionally qualified applicants from the specified field of work/industrial and organizational psychology or from relevant related disciplines. Selection for the scholarship is based on the application documents submitted, whereby the following criteria are used to assess academic excellence, for example:

above-average performance in subjects or modules relevant to the doctoral topic or in final theses
rapid progress in studies
biographical background
first publications, participation in specialist events or science-related further training (conferences/workshops)

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

Above-average Master degree (or close to completion, at the latest by March 2026) in (Work/Industrial and Organizational) Psychology or a related area, as well as a Bachelor degree, both according to the Bologna process (Master: two years, 120 ECTS; Bachelor: three years, 180 ECTS) or an equivalent qualification
Initial skills in quantitative research methods or mixed methods, typically acquired in prior bachelor’s and master’s studies
Ability to actively participate in English-speaking debates, reading groups, workshops, seminars, and research projects at business level
Interest in and enjoyment of empirical and theoretical work as well as scientific writing
Ability and willingness to develop and elaborate one’s own research project independently
Willingness to discuss preliminary findings at national and international discipline-specific conferences and workshops
Capacity for teamwork and self-understanding as being part of a mutually supportive research community

The scholarship is awarded for three years. It amounts to EUR 1,650 per month, plus a research allowance of EUR 100 per month. A family allowance and a child allowance may be granted upon application.

During the scholarship, the focus lies on self-organized work on the doctoral project, which is why remunerated professional activities are only possible to a limited extent; details are regulated in the currently valid guidelines for the award of scholarships for the doctoral phase at Leuphana University Lüneburg (see here). The supervisor can conduct performance-based interim evaluations throughout the duration of the scholarship.
The doctoral scholarship serves to prepare for a doctorate at Leuphana University Lüneburg. The admission to a doctorate at Leuphana University Lüneburg and the enrolment as doctoral student are therefore required with the start of the scholarship. Those who already hold a doctoral degree are not eligible for a scholarship.
All doctoral candidates at Leuphana are members of a doctoral research group and complete doctoral courses to the extent of 30 CP. Information on admission to doctorate, the doctoral research group, and doctoral courses can be found on the Graduate School website.

The following offers are available to scholarship holders through the Graduate School, among others:

A lively, research-active, and supportive environment
Unique doctoral program in the “Embracing Transformation” context featuring interdisciplinary seminars on transformation research and an exclusive professional program on “transformative leadership and responsibility”
Access to dedicated office space within Leuphana’s outstanding campus facilities
Application-based funding from the Qualification Fund for conference participation, summer schools, and research stays
Advice and (career) coaching from professionally trained staff
Close subject-specific supervision based on the multiple-supervisor principle and using mandatory supervision agreements as well as planning and progress meetings

Please submit your application for the scholarship via Leuphana's scholarship application portal.

The application must generally include the following documents, which must also be uploaded to the portal:

Cover letter
- Including evidence on the above-mentioned desired personal attributes with around 100 words each
- Indicating which psychology professor at the School of Management and Technology you consider suitable to supervise your doctoral project in the topic area “psychology of transformation”
A detailed summary of your dissertation project of 2 to 4 pages
Curriculum vitae including a description of your academic career and previous research activities
Certificates relevant to your previous academic qualifications, usually from your master's degree (in German or English; officially certified translations if in other languages)
Relevant employer’s references (e.g., for scientific activities)
If already available, notification of admission to doctorate at the School of Management & Technology

Please address general questions regarding the scholarship to Prof. Dr. Laura Venz (laura.venz@leuphana.de). For academic or content-related questions concerning the scholarship within the specific thematic area “Occupational Health in the Context of the Polycrisis”, please contact Prof. Dr. Franziska Kößler (franziska.koessler@leuphana.de).

Application deadline: 12 March 2026