The Leuphana Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture and Society 8 postdoc positions call offers a 12-month residential fellowship from April 2028 to March 2029. Selected fellows receive €2,100 per month, tax-free, alongside accommodation, travel expenses, and a possible family allowance. The application deadline is 18 December 2026.
This article explains the fellowship benefits, eligibility requirements, research areas, application procedure, and selection criteria. It also provides practical advice to help applicants prepare a focused and competitive application.
Overview of the Leuphana LIAS Postdoctoral Fellowships
Leuphana University of Lüneburg, located in Germany, hosts the Leuphana Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture and Society. The institute brings together researchers from different academic backgrounds to examine complex cultural and societal questions.
Under the programme Culture and Society in Transformation, LIAS invites applications for eight postdoctoral fellowships for the 2028/29 academic year. These are residential research fellowships rather than conventional advertised employment contracts.
The fellowship begins on 1 April 2028 and ends on 31 March 2029. During this period, fellows pursue their research while participating in an interdisciplinary academic community.
Moreover, the institute encourages researchers to exchange ideas across geographical regions and disciplines. This makes the programme particularly relevant to scholars whose work connects local experiences with wider global developments.
Key details at a glance:
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Host institution: Leuphana University of Lüneburg
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Research institute: Leuphana Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture and Society
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Location: Lüneburg, Germany
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Number of fellowships: Eight
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Duration: 12 months
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Fellowship period: 1 April 2028 to 31 March 2029
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Monthly funding: €2,100, tax-free
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Application deadline: 18 December 2026
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Applicants should consult the official LIAS fellowship call for the complete conditions.
Why Consider the Leuphana Institute for Advanced Studies Fellowship?
A postdoctoral fellowship can provide more than financial support. It can also help researchers strengthen their academic profile, develop collaborations, and refine their research questions.
At LIAS, the emphasis is on critical and interdisciplinary research. Fellows can exchange ideas with visiting scholars, artists, and researchers at Leuphana University.
In addition, the institute supports fellows who wish to organise workshops and public-facing academic activities. These opportunities can help researchers communicate their findings beyond their immediate academic specialism.
Another advantage is the programme’s international outlook. LIAS encourages research that examines connections between different societies, regions, and knowledge traditions.
Consequently, the fellowship may suit researchers interested in developing new theoretical approaches or bringing perspectives from different geographical contexts into academic debates.
However, applicants should remember that the fellowship requires active participation in the institute’s intellectual life. It is best suited to researchers who value collaboration alongside independent research.
Research Areas and Academic Focus
The programme welcomes projects that investigate how cultural and societal transformations emerge, unfold, and influence communities. Researchers should demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed work and LIAS’s research agenda.
Relevant areas include:
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History and contemporary studies
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Humanities and cultural studies
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Literature, philosophy, and artistic research
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Sociocultural and epistemological research
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Political economy and legal studies
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Technology, science, and society
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Power structures, social conflicts, and changing public narratives
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Furthermore, the institute encourages research that questions established assumptions about progress and transformation. Projects may explore who drives social change, how people experience it, and which voices influence its direction.
For example, a researcher could examine how digital technologies reshape cultural expression across different societies. Another project might explore how environmental change affects social relationships or how historical narratives influence contemporary political debates.
These examples are illustrative rather than an official list of funded topics. Ultimately, the proposal must explain its scholarly contribution and show a strong fit with the institute’s programme.
Eligibility Criteria for the Eight Postdoc Fellowships
The call targets established postdoctoral researchers and scholars at comparable early academic career stages. Eligible applicants may include postdoctoral researchers, assistant professors, early associate professors, or equivalent academics.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
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Hold a PhD when applying.
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Have received their PhD no more than 12 years before the fellowship begins.
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Have approximately two to three years of outstanding postdoctoral experience.
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Propose a research project aligned with LIAS’s academic programme.
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Demonstrate fluency in English.
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The fellowship begins in April 2028. Therefore, applicants should calculate the 12-year eligibility window using that start date, not simply the application deadline.
For instance, an applicant who earned a PhD in 2018 would generally fall within the permitted period. However, they must also demonstrate the required postdoctoral experience and research fit.
International researchers should also check their eligibility against the exact wording of the official call. The announcement does not restrict applications to German citizens.
Fellowship Benefits and Financial Support
The LIAS fellowship provides financial and practical support for a year of residential research in Germany.
Monthly fellowship funding
Selected fellows receive €2,100 per month, tax-free, under the applicable scholarship guidelines of the German state of Lower Saxony.
In addition, the package includes accommodation and travel expenses. Fellows may also qualify for a family allowance, where applicable.
The official announcement does not specify a separate monetary ceiling for accommodation or travel expenses. Applicants should therefore confirm the relevant arrangements with LIAS before making financial commitments.
Research facilities and academic exchange
Fellows receive office space in the university’s central building. They can also connect with researchers across the university and participate in institute activities.
Moreover, LIAS supports the organisation of workshops and public events. These activities can help fellows expand their networks and communicate their research to wider audiences.
The fellowship also offers support for fellows arriving with a partner or family. However, applicants should ask the institute about individual relocation needs and practical arrangements.
How to Apply for the Leuphana Postdoc Fellowships
Applicants should prepare their documents carefully before submitting their applications. The official call requires the application materials to be combined into one PDF file.
Step 1: Prepare the application form
Complete the official fellowship application form. Check every section before submission, as the form is an important part of the assessment process.
Step 2: Write a targeted cover letter
Explain why you want to join LIAS specifically. Show how the institute’s research environment would contribute to your project and professional development.
Step 3: Update your academic CV
Include your education, research experience, publications, and other relevant academic achievements. Present your career progression clearly and concisely.
Step 4: Develop the research proposal
The proposal must not exceed five pages or 2,500 words. It should include:
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Your central research question and objectives
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The contribution your research will make to existing scholarship
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Your theoretical and methodological approach
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The project’s connection to LIAS’s research programme
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A practical work plan for the fellowship period
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Step 5: Submit the complete application
Combine all required materials into one PDF file and send it by email to lias@leuphana.de.
Use the subject line LIAS Fellowship. Submit the application without a photograph and before 18 December 2026.
The university expects to make its selection around May 2027. Applicants should check the official application information before submitting, in case the university publishes updates.
Expert Tips for Preparing a Strong Application
A strong proposal should explain not only what you want to study, but also why LIAS is the right place to do it.
Firstly, connect your research question to the institute’s focus on culture, society, and transformation. Avoid describing your project in terms so broad that its contribution becomes difficult to identify.
Secondly, explain the potential value of interdisciplinary exchange. Identify relevant research interests or academic connections at Leuphana where possible.
Thirdly, make your project achievable within 12 months. Break the work into realistic stages, such as literature analysis, data interpretation, writing, and dissemination.
In addition, write for an educated reader outside your specialism. Explain technical terms where necessary and make your central argument easy to follow.
Finally, check that all documents tell a consistent story. Your CV should support your proposal, while your cover letter should explain why the fellowship fits your career goals.
Conclusion
The Leuphana Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture and Society offers eight residential postdoctoral fellowships for 2028/29. The programme combines monthly financial support with opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and independent research. It is particularly suitable for scholars whose projects examine culture, society, and processes of transformation. Applicants should focus on research quality, eligibility, feasibility, and the specific benefits of joining LIAS. Review the official call carefully, prepare all documents in one PDF, and submit your application by 18 December 2026.
Fellowship Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
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| Program Name | Leuphana Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture and Society Postdoc Fellowships |
| Host Country | Germany |
| Funded By | Leuphana University of Lüneburg; fellowship conditions follow Lower Saxony scholarship guidelines |
| Duration | 12 months, 1 April 2028 to 31 March 2029 |
| Study Mode | Residential research fellowship |
| Eligibility | PhD holders within 12 years of the fellowship start date, with approximately 2–3 years of outstanding postdoctoral experience; English fluency required |
| Financial Support | €2,100 per month, tax-free, plus accommodation, travel expenses, and a family allowance where applicable |
| Fields of Study | Humanities, cultural studies, social sciences, and related interdisciplinary research on culture and society |
| Deadline | 18/12/2026 |
| Official Website | LIAS Fellowship Call |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Leuphana University offers eight postdoctoral fellowships through its Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture and Society for the 2028/29 academic year.
Applicants must hold a PhD, have received it within 12 years before the fellowship begins, and demonstrate outstanding postdoctoral experience and relevant research interests.
Yes. International researchers can apply if they meet the eligibility criteria and demonstrate English proficiency. Moreover, the programme welcomes scholars from diverse academic backgrounds.
Selected fellows receive €2,100 per month, tax-free, plus accommodation, travel expenses, and a family allowance where applicable.
The programme welcomes research in the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences, including history, philosophy, literature, political economy, law, and technology-related social research.
The fellowship lasts 12 months, from 1 April 2028 to 31 March 2029. During this period, fellows undertake residential research and participate in academic activities.
Combine all required documents into one PDF and email it to lias@leuphana.de with the subject line “LIAS Fellowship.” Additionally, submit the application without a photograph.
Leuphana University expects to complete the selection process around May 2027. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will receive notification after the university finalises its decisions.
