Call for Applications – Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences

The Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS) invites applications to its Ph.D. and postdoctoral programs. BIGSSS is an inter-university institute of the University of Bremen and Jacobs University and is funded by the German Excellence Initiative. The program provides close supervision of dissertation work within a demand-tailored education and research framework. Fellows are expected to choose Bremen as their place of residence. BIGSSS is part of an international network of highly acknowledged graduate programs. It supports its doctoral and postdoctoral fellows in achieving early scientific independence and provides funds for the conduct, presentation, and publishing of their research. The language of instruction is English.

Successful applicants for the Ph.D. and Preparatory Fellowships will pursue a topic in one or more of BIGSSS’ five Thematic Fields:

  • Global Integration
  • Integration and Diversity in the New Europe
  • Social Integration and the Welfare State
  • Attitude Formation, Value Change, and Intercultural Communication
  • Life-Course and Lifespan Dynamics.

15 Ph.D. Stipends/Fellowships

BIGSSS seeks candidates with strong academic abilities and a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in political science, sociology, or psychology. Applicants with a degree in law, economics, or other social science disciplines are also welcome. We offer Ph.D. stipends of € 1250/month for 36 months, contingent on successful completion of each year.

2 Preparatory Fellowships for BA Graduates

Additionally BIGSSS offers 2 stipends of € 850/month for particularly talented BA graduates. After fulfilling some course requirements and having their proposals accepted within the first year, candidates can switch into the regular three year program.

2 Postdoctoral Stipends/Fellowships

We seek candidates pursuing English-language publication projects based either on their dissertations (by making findings available to an international audience through a book or journal article) or new research. Postdoctoral stipends of € 1750/month may run for between 6 and 24 months. The competition is open to candidates who have received a doctorate in political science, sociology, psychology, law, economics or other social science disciplines within the last 3 years and to those who can be expected to finish prior to commencing their postdoctoral stay.

More information as well as lists of required application materials can be found at http://www.bigsss-bremen.de/. For additional inquiries, please check the online FAQ and feel free to contact our admissions officer at admissions-officer@bigsss-bremen.de.

Ph.D. fellowships will start September 1, 2011, Postdoctoral fellows may plan their stays to begin later. Non-German students are strongly encouraged to apply. BIGSSS strives to increase the share of women in the university and hence also strongly encourages women to apply. Applicants with disabilities who are equally qualified will be favored. Applications must be submitted online under “Admissions” at

http://www.bigsss-bremen.de/ until March 15, 2011.