Welcome to the Ruhr—Germany's largest metropolitan area where innovative research meets strong networks! Ruhr-Universität Bochum, TU Dortmund University, and the University of Duisburg-Essen have been working closely together in the University Alliance Ruhr for over ten years. We have joined forces in the Research Academy Ruhr to offer doctoral and postdoctoral researchers a strong network for their international research career.
Benefit from a unique scientific diversity: 49 faculties and a multitude of common research profiles and inter-university research projects, vibrant and international research communities as well as an excellent professional research environment. Take a closer look at our international activities and learn more about the career options for international early career researchers.
Flyer: Research opportunities for early career researchers in the UA Ruhr (PDF)
Research Explorer Ruhr (RER) is a program for international early postdocs (to-be) interested in exploring the research landscape of the University Alliance Ruhr. The program is conducted entirely in English, and the invitation includes travel expenses and accommodation.
Next Explorer: 16–30 June 2024
The International Offices of our three universities provide you with information and advice to prepare and carry out your stay at the University Alliance Ruhr:
Are you looking for open doctoral or postdoctoral positions in the University Alliance Ruhr?
Here you will find the universities' job portals:
If you want to do a doctorate at a German university, you can choose between two paths: an individual doctorate and structured doctoral programs. The "Research in Germany" platform provides you with a lot of helpful information about doctoral studies in Germany.
If you are interested in an individual doctorate, you need to find a university professor who will supervise your dissertation. You have to apply directly to the professor in question. We recommend you to search the websites of our universities for institutes or working groups that match your area of research.
Structured doctoral programs differ from individual doctoral research and are mostly similar to those in English-speaking countries. Here you will find an overview of all structured doctoral programs within the UA Ruhr.
If you are wondering what career opportunities the German research landscape offers or would like to find out more about the research system in Germany, we recommend the Research in Germany portal. It provides a lot of information about career and funding opportunities and offers helpful tips for planning your research stay in Germany:
If you have specific questions about offers and funding opportunities by Research Academy Ruhr or the local institutions for the promotion of early career researchers, please contact:
Livable and affordable: The Ruhr area, or Ruhrgebiet, is the most densely populated region of Germany, with more than 5.1 million people living in more than 50 municipalities. The big four — Duisburg, Essen, Bochum, and Dortmund — once were the heart and backbone of Germany’s coal and steel industry, a heritage of strength and classic technology.
Today, the entire region stands for smart and innovative answers to the big challenges of technical, economic, and social change. This is the place where people from all parts of the world come to work, live and create a better future.
Click here to learn more about the Metropolis Ruhr.
Research Academy Ruhr (RAR) is the cross-university platform of Ruhr-Universität Bochum, TU Dortmund University, and the University of Duisburg-Essen for promoting early career researchers in the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr).
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