The Schaufler Lab@TU Dresden offers a Doctoral Fellowship in North American Literature and Cultural Studies in Dresden, Germany, for a period of 2 years (with the option of extension by 1.5 years) starting on 1 April 2027. The fellowship pays EUR 1,850 per month, plus a EUR 150 grant for material costs and, where applicable, a EUR 315 family supplement per child. Applications quoting reference number s26-001 close on 24 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we went through the full call so you can see the research focus, requirements and every document you need.
What Is the Schaufler Lab@TU Dresden?
In the Schaufler Lab@TU Dresden, researchers from the Social Sciences and Humanities as well as artists explore the relationships between technology, science, and society.
🤝 The Lab was initiated by The Schaufler Foundation together with TUD Dresden University of Technology.
🗓️ The upcoming third funding phase runs from April 2027 to September 2030.
💡 Its guiding theme for this phase is "Energy Cultures in Transition".
🔍 The theme is investigated from a humanities, cultural, social, and educational science perspective, explored through artistic practice, and communicated to the public.
🎓 For the third funding phase, the Lab comprises eight doctoral fellowships and an annually changing Artist in Residence program.
TUD as a Host University
TUD describes its university culture as characterized by cosmopolitanism, mutual appreciation, thriving innovation and active participation. Diversity is seen as an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent university, and TUD welcomes all applicants who would like to commit themselves, their achievements and productivity to the success of the whole institution. TUD is also a founding partner in the DRESDEN-concept alliance.
The Guiding Theme: Energy Cultures in Transition
The guiding theme understands energy as a cultural phenomenon deeply inscribed in aesthetic, historical, political, ecological, economic, and socio-technological practices and systems.
📈 It builds on the dynamically growing research fields of the Energy Humanities, Science & Technology Studies, and the Digital Humanities.
🛢️ The aim is to examine how modern energy regimes, from petromodernity to nuclear culture and post-carbon futures, have shaped material infrastructures as well as subjectivities, power relations, progress narratives, geopolitical orders, ecologies, and knowledge systems, while also being shaped by them.
🧩 Interdisciplinary perspectives from the social sciences, cultural studies, humanities, and educational research represented at the Schaufler Kolleg@TU Dresden enable the analysis of the multifaceted entanglements of energy, culture, and society.
Key Questions Within the Theme
🎨 The representation, communication, and aesthetics of energy transitions and resource paradigms.
💾 Continuities between resource economies and information economies.
🏭 The relationships between energy, labor, environment, and consumer culture.
⚖️ The role of colonialism, gender, nationalism, geopolitics, education, and social justice in deciding energy futures and navigating collective transformation processes.
Research Areas in North American Literature and Cultural Studies
In this field, the following research areas and questions are of particular relevance to the guiding theme:
📖 Representations, contestations, histories, and futures of energy relations and transitions in North American literatures, media and cultures, including transcultural approaches, speculative fiction, art, film, nonfiction, and other literary and cultural forms.
🧠 Questions of energy epistemologies, politics, aesthetics, justice, and imaginaries in cultural texts and media.
Supervision
👨🏫 Primary supervision will be provided by Jun.-Prof. Dr. Moritz Ingwersen, Junior Professorship in North American Literature with a Focus on Future Studies.
Fellowship Duration and Start Date
⏱️ 2 years, with the option of extension by 1.5 years.
🚀 Start date: 1 April 2027.
📌 The fellowship is offered subject to the availability of resources.
📄 The fellowship does not constitute an employment relationship.
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How Much Does the Doctoral Fellowship Pay?
💶 EUR 1,850 per month.
🧾 A grant for material costs of EUR 150.
👶 Where applicable, a family supplement of EUR 315 per child.
✈️ Within the limits of the available project funds, the Schaufler Lab will cover the costs of conference travel.
Your Tasks as a Doctoral Fellow
🔬 Independent research and academic further qualification with the goal of completing a doctorate at TUD.
✍️ Writing a dissertation on a topic within the guiding concept "Energy Cultures in Transition" in the discipline of North American Studies (Literature and/or Cultural Studies).
🗣️ A high degree of willingness to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue, particularly with the STEM partnerships of the Schaufler Lab@TU Dresden.
🖌️ Conducting joint research with artists within the framework of the Schaufler Residency.
📣 Engagement in science communication and outreach.
🏫 Mandatory participation in the Kolleg's English-language training program.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is aimed at early-career researchers in the field of North American Literature and Cultural Studies.
🎓 An excellent university degree in North American Studies or a related discipline in Literary, Media, or Cultural Studies.
🌱 Relevant prior experience in the Environmental/Energy Humanities, Speculative Fiction Studies, and/or Science & Technology Studies.
👥 Strong teamwork skills and a willingness to collaborate across disciplines.
🇬🇧 Demonstrably excellent English language skills (C1 level minimum).
🇩🇪 Knowledge of German is desirable but not a requirement.
What the Schaufler Kolleg Offers
🧭 The opportunity to pursue a doctorate within the Schaufler Kolleg with a structured qualification program and integration into an interdisciplinary research project.
🖥️ A fully equipped office workspace on the premises of TUD; shared office spaces are made available to the fellows.
🏛️ Access to an excellent research infrastructure, including participation in Research Studios and writing retreats.
📚 Numerous further training and qualification opportunities through the Graduate Academy and other central institutions of TUD.
Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
🌐 Applications are welcome from people regardless of gender, origin, sexual orientation, worldview, or disability.
👩🔬 TUD strives to employ more women in academia and research and expressly encourages women to apply.
👨👩👧 TUD is a family-friendly university.
♿ Applications from candidates with disabilities are welcome. If multiple candidates prove to be equally qualified, those with disabilities or with equivalent status pursuant to the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will receive priority.
Application Documents
Your detailed application can be written in German or English and should contain:
📝 The completed online application form.
💌 A letter of motivation.
📋 A curriculum vitae in tabular form, including an account of your academic career.
🎓 A copy of your most recent university degree certificate.
🗂️ An exposé of your research project including a work and time schedule (max. 20,000 characters).
How to Apply
🔢 Quote the reference number s26-001.
📎 Send all documents, including the online application form, as a single PDF file.
🔐 Submission is preferably via the TUD SecureMail Portal to the Schaufler Lab email address; applications can also be sent by post.
🕒 For the deadline, the stamped arrival date of the university central mail service or the time stamp on the email server of TUD applies.
📑 Submit copies only, as your application will not be returned.
🚆 Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.
🛡️ Information on your data protection rights and how your data will be processed is available on the TUD data protection page.
Explore more funded research programmes in our Fellowships category on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Schaufler Lab doctoral fellowship pay?
The fellowship pays EUR 1,850 per month, plus a grant for material costs of EUR 150. Where applicable, a family supplement of EUR 315 per child is added.
How long does the fellowship last?
It runs for 2 years, with the option of extension by 1.5 years. The start date is 1 April 2027.
Is the fellowship an employment contract?
No. The call states that the fellowship does not constitute an employment relationship.
Do I need to speak German?
No. Excellent English skills at C1 level minimum are required, and knowledge of German is desirable but not a requirement.
Which degree do I need?
You need an excellent university degree in North American Studies or a related discipline in Literary, Media, or Cultural Studies. Prior experience in the Environmental/Energy Humanities, Speculative Fiction Studies, and/or Science & Technology Studies is also expected.
How long can my research exposé be?
The exposé of your research project, including a work and time schedule, can be a maximum of 20,000 characters.
Can I apply in English?
Yes. Your detailed application can be written in German or English.
What else is expected besides the dissertation?
Fellows engage in interdisciplinary dialogue with the Lab's STEM partnerships, conduct joint research with artists in the Schaufler Residency, take part in science communication and outreach, and attend the Kolleg's mandatory English-language training program.
Deadline
⏳ 24 November 2026
Links
📝 Online application form: https://tu-dresden.de/gsw/schauflerlab/schaufler-kolleg/phase-3/anmeldung-registration
📧 Application email: schaufler.lab@tu-dresden.de
🔐 TUD SecureMail Portal (preferred submission route): https://securemail.tu-dresden.de
📮 Postal address: TU Dresden, Schaufler Lab@TU Dresden, Jun.-Prof. Dr. Moritz Ingwersen, Helmholtzstr. 10, 01069 Dresden, Germany
ℹ️ Official call: https://www.verw.tu-dresden.de/StellAus/stelle.asp?id=13044&lang=en
🛡️ Data protection information: https://tu-dresden.de/karriere/datenschutzhinweis
