The University of Bonn is launching a significant research initiative focused on transforming global food systems. This program, known as the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1780, is dedicated to exploring how diversifying food systems can lead to more sustainable nutrition and healthier populations. The initiative is actively seeking talented individuals to fill 24 doctoral and 8 postdoctoral research positions. These roles offer a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in a field that is critical for the future of our planet and its inhabitants.
Understanding Food System Diversification
Food system diversification is the central theme of the CRC 1780 program. It involves increasing variety across many aspects of how we produce, distribute, and consume food. This can include making agricultural fields more diverse, encouraging a wider range of crops on farms, and promoting varied diets among consumers. The goal is to create food systems that are better for the environment, improve human health, and are more resilient to challenges like climate change and economic instability.
The CRC recognizes that while diversification offers many potential benefits, its success depends on the specific context and how it is put into practice. Researchers will investigate these complexities to understand the most effective ways to implement diversification strategies.
Key Research Questions Driving the Initiative
The CRC 1780 program is structured around two main research questions that guide its extensive research efforts. These questions address both the environmental and human impacts of food system changes, as well as the practicalities of achieving beneficial diversification.
How do different forms of food system diversification affect planetary health?
This question explores the broad impacts of diversification on various aspects of the planet and its inhabitants. Researchers will examine how changes in food systems influence:
- Human health and wellbeing: Looking at how diverse food sources contribute to better overall health.
- Nutrition outcomes: Assessing whether diversification leads to more balanced and healthier diets.
- Environmental sustainability: Studying the effects on natural resources, such as soil health and water quality.
- Ecosystem health: Investigating the impact on biodiversity and natural habitats.
- Agricultural resilience: Determining how diversified farming practices can withstand environmental and economic shocks.
What levels of diversification are most beneficial, and how can they be achieved?
This question focuses on identifying the optimal balance for diversification and the practical steps needed to reach it. The research will investigate:
- Optimal diversification levels: Finding the sweet spot where benefits are maximized without incurring significant costs.
- Policy frameworks: Examining the role of government policies in supporting diversification.
- Behavioral changes: Understanding how consumer and producer behaviors can be influenced.
- Agricultural systems: Studying how farming methods can be adapted for greater diversity.
- Market and trade structures: Analyzing how markets can better support diverse food products.
- Dietary patterns: Researching how to encourage wider and healthier food choices.
Research Locations and Methodologies
The CRC 1780 initiative will conduct its research primarily in two key locations: Germany and Ghana. This international collaboration allows for the study of diversification strategies in different environmental and socio-economic contexts. The program employs a wide range of scientific methods to gather comprehensive data.
These methods include collecting detailed information from farms and households, conducting individual nutrition studies, and using advanced technologies like remote sensing for environmental analysis. The researchers will also utilize economic modeling and public health research to understand the complex interactions within food systems. This interdisciplinary approach is designed to provide a holistic understanding of food system diversification.
Available Research Projects
The CRC 1780 program offers a diverse array of research projects, allowing applicants to focus on areas that align with their interests and expertise. These projects are grouped into several key areas, covering the entire spectrum of food systems from agriculture to human health.
Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability Projects
These projects focus on how farming practices and environmental health are linked through diversification.
- Project A01: Soil health, biodiversity, and human health: Investigates the connections between healthy soils, diverse ecosystems, and human well-being.
- Project A02: Diversification scales for resilient cropping systems: Examines how different levels of crop diversity can make farming systems stronger.
- Project A03: Agricultural diversification impacts on biodiversity: Studies the effects of varied farming on the variety of plant and animal life.
- Project A04: Agroforestry as a diversification strategy: Explores the benefits of integrating trees into farming landscapes.
- Project A05: Farm production diversity and efficiency: Assesses how a wider range of products on a farm affects its overall productivity.
- Project A06: Socioeconomic and environmental impacts of crop diversification: Analyzes the economic and ecological consequences of diversifying crops.
Food Systems, Markets, and Policy Projects
These projects look at how food is traded, regulated, and how policies can encourage diversification.
- Project B01: Agricultural diversity, markets, and dietary diversity: Connects the variety of farm products to market availability and people’s diets.
- Project B02: Food policy and agri-environmental effects: Studies how food policies influence both agricultural practices and the environment.
- Project B03: Trade diversity and resilience to shocks: Examines how varied trade in food products can help systems withstand disruptions.
- Project B04: Diversified food systems and global sustainability: Assesses the role of diverse food systems in achieving worldwide sustainability goals.
- Project B05: Cross-level effects of food system diversification: Investigates how changes at one level, like farm production, affect other levels, like consumer choices.
Nutrition and Human Health Projects
These projects concentrate on how diversified diets impact individual health and well-being.
- Project C01: Behavioral strategies for food diversification: Explores ways to encourage people to adopt more varied eating habits.
- Project C02: Dietary diversity and nutrition: Studies the direct link between eating a variety of foods and nutritional status.
- Project C03: Metabolic health in early life stages: Investigates how diverse diets affect health during childhood.
- Project C04: Adult dietary diversity and metabolic health: Examines the impact of varied diets on adult health and metabolism.
- Project C05: Personalized dietary diversification: Looks into tailoring diversification strategies to individual needs.
- Project C06: Sustainability of diversified diets: Assesses whether varied diets can be both healthy and environmentally sustainable long-term.
Infrastructure and Coordination Projects
These projects provide the essential support and organizational framework for the entire CRC initiative.
- Project Z01: Central CRC coordination: Manages the overall operations of the research center.
- Project Z02: Survey and cohort studies: Oversees the collection of data through surveys and long-term studies.
- Project INF: Data infrastructure and services: Manages the IT systems and data resources for the project.
- Project IRTG: Integrated Research Training Group: Supports the training and development of doctoral researchers.
Available Positions and Funding
The CRC 1780 FoodDiverse program is offering a total of 32 positions: 24 for doctoral researchers and 8 for postdoctoral researchers. These positions are fully funded, providing a significant opportunity for early-career scientists to engage in impactful research. Selected candidates will receive fixed-term contracts for three years, with a possible extension into a fourth year. Postdoctoral researchers may also be eligible for further extensions based on future funding.
The employment conditions include a start date of October 1, 2026, or earlier if possible. Salaries will be paid according to Germany’s TV-L pay scale, with doctoral researchers receiving TV-L 13 (65%) and postdoctoral researchers receiving TV-L 13 (100%). This structure ensures competitive compensation and includes social benefits and employment protections.
Application Requirements
Prospective applicants must prepare a set of documents to be submitted as a single PDF file. These documents are crucial for evaluating candidates’ suitability for the research positions.
Mandatory Documents
- Motivation Letter: This letter should clearly articulate your interest in the CRC, your academic background, why you are drawn to specific projects, and your research aspirations. Applicants can indicate up to three projects in order of preference.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): For postdoctoral applicants, this should include a list of publications, research achievements, and academic experience.
- Academic Certificates and Transcripts: This includes documents for your Master’s degree and, for postdoctoral applicants, your Doctoral degree.
- Writing Sample: Doctoral applicants should submit their Master’s thesis, while postdoctoral applicants should provide a recent research article.
- Academic References: You will need to provide the names and contact details of two academic referees who can speak to your qualifications.
Benefits of Participating in the CRC
The CRC 1780 initiative offers numerous advantages for researchers looking to advance their careers and contribute to global challenges. It provides a fully funded research environment where participants can gain invaluable experience.
Key Benefits
- Fully funded research employment: All costs associated with the research positions are covered.
- International collaborative research environment: Work alongside experts from diverse backgrounds and institutions.
- Access to interdisciplinary expertise: Engage with researchers from various fields, including agriculture, economics, nutrition, and environmental science.
- Research experience in Germany and Ghana: Gain practical experience in different research settings.
- Opportunity to work on globally relevant sustainability issues: Contribute to solutions for pressing worldwide problems.
- Strong academic networking opportunities: Build connections with leading researchers and institutions.
- Potential long-term academic career development: Lay the groundwork for a successful career in research.
- Involvement in cutting-edge food systems research: Be at the forefront of innovation in food system science.
This program is particularly beneficial for those aiming for careers in sustainability science, agricultural economics, nutrition and public health, environmental policy, climate resilience, development studies, and global food systems.
Diversity and Inclusion
The University of Bonn and the CRC 1780 program are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive research community. They welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, without regard to origin, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or cultural background. This commitment ensures that a wide range of perspectives contributes to the research efforts.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting applications is June 14, 2026. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to prepare their application materials well in advance to ensure they meet all requirements and can tailor their submissions to the specific projects of interest.
Official Application Portal
All applications must be submitted online through the official University of Bonn portal. The provided link will direct applicants to the application system where they can upload their documents and formally apply for the available positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of the CRC 1780 program?
The main goal is to explore how diversifying food systems can lead to more sustainable nutrition and healthier populations.
What kind of research positions are available?
The program is hiring for 24 doctoral and 8 postdoctoral research positions.
Where will the research take place?
The research will be conducted primarily in Germany and Ghana, allowing for study in different contexts.
What documents are required for the application?
Applicants need a motivation letter, CV, academic certificates, a writing sample (thesis or article), and contact details for two academic referees.
