The Schaufler Lab@TU Dresden offers a Doctoral Fellowship in Applied Linguistics and Digital Humanities in Dresden, Germany, paying EUR 1,850 per month for 2 years (with the option of a 1.5-year extension) from 1 April 2027. Applications, quoting reference number s26-005, are due by 24 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full call and set out every detail below.
Fellowship at a Glance
🏛️ Host: Schaufler Lab@TU Dresden, TUD Dresden University of Technology
📍 Location: Dresden, Germany
🗣️ Fields: Applied Linguistics and Digital Humanities
🔖 Reference number: s26-005
🗓️ Start: 1 April 2027
⏱️ Duration: 2 years, with the option of extension by 1.5 years
💶 Stipend: EUR 1,850 per month
🧰 Material costs grant: EUR 150
👶 Family supplement: EUR 315 per child, where applicable
🧭 Primary supervisor: Prof. Dr. Simon Meier-Vieracker, Chair of Applied Linguistics
📌 Note: Offered subject to the availability of resources
About 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 Third Funding Phase: April 2027 to September 2030
The guiding theme of the Lab's upcoming third funding phase (April 2027 to September 2030) 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 this third phase, the Schaufler Lab@TU Dresden comprises:
🎓 Eight doctoral fellowships
🎨 An annually changing Artist in Residence program
Energy Cultures in Transition: The Guiding Theme Explained
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 not only material infrastructures but also subjectivities, power relations, progress narratives, geopolitical orders, ecologies and knowledge systems, while simultaneously being shaped by them.
Interdisciplinary Perspectives in the Schaufler Kolleg
Perspectives from the social sciences, cultural studies, humanities and educational research represented at the Schaufler Kolleg@TU Dresden make it possible to analyse the multifaceted entanglements of energy, culture and society.
Questions at the Centre of the Programme
🖼️ 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 Applied Linguistics and Digital Humanities
In these two fields, the following research areas and questions are of particular relevance to the guiding theme:
💬 Discursive negotiations, conceptualisations and metaphorisations of energy relations and energy transformations in various social domains (politics, the economy, technological development, civil society, etc.) and media contexts, including multimodal aspects
📡 Formats, practices and impacts of science communication (analogue and digital) relating to energy-related research
What the Doctoral Fellow Will Do
📖 Carry out independent research and academic further qualification with the goal of completing a doctorate at TUD
✍️ Write a dissertation on a topic within the guiding concept "Energy Cultures in Transition" in the disciplines of Applied Linguistics or Digital Humanities
🤝 Engage in interdisciplinary dialogue, particularly with the STEM partnerships of the Schaufler Lab@TU Dresden
🎨 Conduct joint research with artists within the framework of the Schaufler Residency
📢 Engage in science communication and outreach
🏫 Take part in the Kolleg's English-language training program, which is mandatory
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Who Should Apply: Requirements
🎓 An excellent university degree (Master's or equivalent) in German Studies, Linguistics, Digital Humanities or a comparable discipline
🔍 Relevant prior experience in the linguistic, cultural or media studies analysis of discourses on environmental, technological or energy-related issues
💻 Experience with digital research methods (such as corpus linguistics, text mining and network analysis) is an advantage
👥 A strong ability to work in teams and enjoyment of interdisciplinary collaboration
🗨️ English skills at a minimum of C1 level, as the training program is conducted in English
Writing the Dissertation in German or English
In accordance with the doctoral regulations of the Faculty of Linguistics, Literature and Cultural Studies, the dissertation may be written in either German or English. If you choose to write it in German, corresponding German language skills are required. Beyond this, German language skills are desirable but not mandatory.
Stipend and Financial Support
💶 EUR 1,850 per month
🧰 A grant for material costs of EUR 150
👶 A family supplement of EUR 315 per child, where applicable
✈️ Conference travel costs covered by the Schaufler Lab, within the limits of the available project funds
The fellowship does not constitute an employment relationship.
What TU Dresden Offers Fellows
🎓 The opportunity to pursue a doctorate within the Schaufler Kolleg with a structured qualification program
🧩 Integration into an interdisciplinary research project
🖥️ A fully equipped office workspace on the premises of TUD, with shared office spaces 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 offered by the Graduate Academy and other central institutions of TUD
A Cosmopolitan University Culture
TUD describes its university culture as characterised by cosmopolitanism, mutual appreciation, thriving innovation and active participation. For TUD, diversity is an essential feature and a quality criterion of an excellent university, and it welcomes all applicants who would like to commit themselves, their achievements and productivity to the success of the whole institution. TUD is a founding partner in the DRESDEN-concept alliance.
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) 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
📎 Send your application documents, including the online application form, as a single PDF file
🔖 Quote the reference number s26-005
🔐 Submission is preferably via the TUD SecureMail Portal to the Schaufler Lab email address, or by post to the address in the Links section
⏰ 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
Explore more research and leadership programmes in the Fellowships section 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 and, where applicable, a family supplement of EUR 315 per child. Within the limits of available project funds, the Lab also covers conference travel costs.
How long does the fellowship last and when does it start?
It runs for 2 years, with the option of extension by 1.5 years, starting on 1 April 2027.
Which degree do I need?
You need an excellent university degree (Master's or equivalent) in German Studies, Linguistics, Digital Humanities or a comparable discipline, plus relevant prior experience in analysing discourses on environmental, technological or energy-related issues.
Do I need to speak German?
No, German is desirable but not mandatory. You need English at a minimum of C1 level because the training program is in English, and German skills are required only if you choose to write your dissertation in German.
Is the fellowship an employment contract?
No. The fellowship does not constitute an employment relationship.
Who will supervise the doctoral fellow?
Primary supervision will be provided by Prof. Dr. Simon Meier-Vieracker, Chair of Applied Linguistics at TU Dresden.
What must the research exposé include?
The exposé presents your research project and must include a work and time schedule, with a maximum length of 20,000 characters.
Which reference number should I quote?
Quote the reference number s26-005 when you send your application documents.
Deadline
⏳ 24 November 2026
Links
Online application form: https://tu-dresden.de/gsw/schauflerlab/schaufler-kolleg/phase-3/anmeldung-registration
Application email (single PDF file, reference number s26-005): schaufler.lab@tu-dresden.de
TUD SecureMail Portal (preferred way to send your application): https://securemail.tu-dresden.de
Postal address: TU Dresden, Schaufler Lab@TU Dresden, Prof. Dr. Simon Meier-Vieracker, Helmholtzstr. 10, 01069 Dresden, Germany
Official vacancy notice: https://www.verw.tu-dresden.de/StellAus/stelle.asp?id=13048&lang=en
Data protection information: https://tu-dresden.de/karriere/datenschutzhinweis
