International Doctoral Programme 2012 at the University of Kassel (Germany)
Submit Application To
Graduate School of Socio-Ecological
Research for Development
International Center for Development and Decent Work
Universität Kassel
Kurt-Schumacher-Straße 2
34117 Kassel
Germany
Degree
Doctoral degree (Dr rer pol, Dr phil)
Beginning of Programme
Summer semester – April
Winter semester – October
Programme Duration
Six semesters (three years)
Description of Content
The ICDD’s objective is to generate and transfer knowledge on how to create and improve work and income opportunities in rural and urban regions of developing countries in light of globalisation, climate change and urbanisation. The ICDD encompasses various disciplines such as agricultural science, political science, sociology and economics. It cooperates closely with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and various NGOs. One of the ICDD’s core structures for the interdisciplinary generation of knowledge is the Graduate School of Socio-Ecological Research for Development. PhD projects within this school may be rooted in either the agricultural or social sciences and should be focused on actor- and problem-oriented research on sustainable human-environmental relationships and decent livelihoods. The ICDD promotes three research clusters to which prospective PhD projects must relate:
1) Sustainable Value Creation for Decent Work
This cluster focuses on strategies to increase value creation by developing technologies for the more efficient and sustainable use of resources and by improving human skills, preferably along agricultural commodity chains. PhD applicants should be interested in analysing spatially and sectorally detailed urban-rural linkages to address the mobility of people, goods, services, money transfers, information, and associated flows of nutrients, energy and water.
2) Instruments for Promoting Decent Work
This cluster focuses on the effectiveness of existing instruments in enforcing minimum standards for labour, as formulated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), such as public procurement, supply chain governance, and national minimum wages. PhD applicants should be interested in analysing such instruments and their effective implementation in different state/country contexts. A special focus should be directed towards their impact on or relevance to informal labour relations and particularly on the working conditions and lives of temporary labour migrants.
3) Strategies of Empowerment for Decent Work
This cluster focuses on the advocacy of good working conditions within economic and political decision-making processes, against the background of eroding capacities of workers to engage in collective action due to the growing informal nature of work. Thereby, special attention is directed towards particularly vulnerable groups, such as domestic workers. PhD applicants should be interested in exploring possible sources and forms of organisations to foster empowerment strategies within informal labour relations.
Course Description (read more)
Costs, Fees and Funding (read more)
Tuition Fees
No tuition fees for PhD students
Enrolment Fees
Mandatory registration fees allow students to use public transportation free of charge and the university’s refectories and cafeterias at reduced prices. The winter semester fee 2010/11 amounted to 231.77 EUR.
Costs of Living
In order to cover personal expenses while studying in Kassel, it is recommended to budget around 600-900 EUR per month for accommodation, living, health insurance, books, and miscellaneous expenses.
Job Opportunities
Students can apply for various part-time jobs or work as student assistants on the campus. Please have a look at www.uni-kassel.de. Some departments also provide positions as tutors or student assistants.
Teaching Obligations
Doctoral students have the opportunity to teach.
Required Entry Qualification Profile (read more)
Language Requirements
Applicants must have a high proficiency in English (CEFR level: C1 or above), proven by one of the following language certificates: TOEFL, with a minimum score of 550 PBT (paper-based test) / 80 IBT (Internet-based test); IELTS 6.5 or above; Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English, or equivalent (native speakers and applicants who have completed their first degree fully in English do not have to provide an English proficiency certificate).
The working language of the programme is English.
Academic requirements
– Completed or almost completed MA/MSc degree, with excellent results, in a discipline related to the ICDD research themes
– High English proficiency (CEFR level: C1 or above), proven by one of the following language certificates: TOEFL, with a minimum score of 550 PBT (paper-based test) / 80 IBT (Internet-based test); IELTS 6.5 or above; Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English, or an equivalent (native speakers and applicants who have completed their first degree fully in English do not have to provide an English proficiency certificate)
– Award of a research scholarship from a third party funding institution (applicants who intend to apply for such a scholarship at a funding institution can also apply)
– Academic or vocational experience in one of the disciplines related to the thematic field of Development and Decent Work
Professional / other requirements
– Award of a research scholarship from a third party funding institution (applicants who intend to apply for such a scholarship at a funding institution can also apply)
– Academic or vocational experience in one of the disciplines related to the thematic field of Development and Decent Work
Where to Apply
directly at the university
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