Application Deadline: June 15, 2021
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: DOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITIONS *
Integrated in and funded by the Elite Network of Bavaria, the International *
Doctorate Programme “Business and Human Rights: Governance Challenges in a Complex World” invites applications for 12 doctoral research positions (4-
year contract) to start on 1 November 2021.
The IDP B&HR_Governance establishes an inter- and transdisciplinary research A
forum for excellent doctoral projects addressing practically relevant problems
and theoretically grounded questions in the field of business and human rights
(B&HR).
Thematic Focus, Curriculum and Supervision
The IDP’s research profile builds on law and management as the core a
disciplines of B&HR complemented by sociology, political, and information A
sciences. Close cooperation with partners from businesses, civil society, and political actors will enable the doctoral researchers to develop their projects in a broader context to ensure practical relevance. The IDP’s curriculum, lasting for eight semesters, aims at contributing to the professional development of independent and critical researchers through a variety of courses, research retreats, colloquia, and conferences as well as the possibility of practical projects.
The doctoral research projects will be supervised by a scientific committee, consisting of three of the 16 Principal investigators of the IDP B&HR_Governance from Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg l
(FAU), the University of Bayreuth and Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg
(JMU). The doctoral researchers will benefit from a comprehensive supervision concept allowing them to work with and receive support from an international and interdisciplinary team.
Doctoral Projects and Application Procedure
Applicants are free to choose their doctoral research focus in the field of
B&HR_Governance. In addition to addressing basic research questions on the relationship between business and human rights, there is the possibility of
linking the doctoral projects to one of the four thematic fields of the IDP
B&HR_Governance:
• Global value chains and transnational economic governance
• Migration and changing labour relations
• Digital transformation
• Environmental sustainability
To be admitted, applicants need an excellent university degree at master’s level in a relevant discipline (law, management, sociology, political, or information science) and very good knowledge of English. International, intercultural, and practical experiences will be an asset.
An application comprises the following documents:
▪ Research proposal (in English, max. 5000 words)
▪ Curriculum Vitae (CV)
▪ Letter of motivation (in English, max. 1000 words)
▪ Writing sample, e.g. published article, thesis or seminar paper.
▪ Certificates of all university degrees with corresponding transcript of
records Applications must be sent in a single PDF document by 15 June 2021 to
The written selection procedure is followed by a personal interview conducted as video conference. Video interviews are scheduled to take place on 1 and 2 July as well 8 and 9 July.
Successful applicants will be matched with a supervisory team based inter alia
on the research proposal and the relevant discipline.
For further information on the IDP B&HR_Governance and the selection
