The Research Institute for Sustainability – Helmholtz Centre Potsdam (RIFS) conducts research with the aim of investigating, identifying, and advancing development pathways for transformations towards sustainability. Its research approach is transdisciplinary, transformative, and co-creative. The Institute cooperates with partners in science, political and administrative institutions, the business community, and civil society to develop solutions for sustainability challenges.

The Fellow Programme is among our defining features: each year, around 20 people are invited from across the world to join the Institute. Working closely with our research groups, projects and other fellows, they pursue innovative ideas and topics to advance sustainability transformations. Supported by the Institute in their work and aspirations, fellows are invited to develop their ideas in a supportive international community drawn from all sectors of society. RIFS helps fellows to extend their networks at the national and international levels and provides organizational and financial support for their activities. Fellows will join an ever-growing network of over 300 former fellows from over 50 countries.

We welcome applications from all parts of society, including science, public administration, the private sector, civil society, media and the arts, and from all parts of the world. Applicants from the scientific community are expected to have a PhD or similar level of experience when their fellowship commences. Non-academic applicants should have at least three to five years of relevant work experience in their chosen field. 

The proposed research or other activities must be complementary to the Institute’s research programme. The thematic focus of the proposed project should engage with topics addressed by at least one of the Institute’s research groups. Applicants are otherwise free in their choice of topic and activities, which may include scientific investigation, the development of policy recommendations or business models, contributing to public discourses and debates, art-making, education and public outreach, or other activities. We strongly encourage applicants to contact relevant research groups before submitting their application in order to gain a better understanding of our research and align their proposal with the work of the group(s). 

Fellowships are granted for between six and twelve months. In exceptional and well justified cases, they may be extended for up to 24 months. 

Fellows are granted a stipend during their time at RIFS. The exact amount is determined by the Fellow’s relative seniority and family circumstances. Please see our FAQ section for further details. Fellows may also be reimbursed for relocation and travel expenses (in- and outbound), including the travel expenses of family members. The Institute also has a limited number of apartments at its disposal in Potsdam, which can be requested by Fellows not living in Germany/Europe at the time of their application. We are happy to support fellows in finding appropriate housing in Potsdam/Berlin and in other resettlement matters (such as finding school placements, health insurance, procuring visa/residence titles, etc.). Please contact the Head of the Fellow Programme for an individual assessment.

Should you experience technical difficulties with the application portal, you can also send your application directly to achim.maas@rifs-potsdam.de. 

Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy. The RIFS actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. Anyone who has been recognized as severely disabled, will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX.If you have any questions, please contact our representative for the disabled at sbv@gfz-potsdam.de, who will be happy to assist you in the further application process. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer at gba@gfz-potsdam.de. Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 b, Art. 88 GDPR in conjunction with Art. 26 of the Data Protection Act for the State of Brandenburg. After completion of the procedure, application documents will be deleted in compliance with data protection regulations. Please see our GDPR Statement for further information.

In case of any further queries, please contact Achim Maas, Head of the Fellow Programme, either via email at achim.maas@rifs-potsdam.de or phone +49 (0)331-6264-22-355.