MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026

The Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development is a non-university research centre and a member of the Leibniz Association. We contribute to spatial development that enables humanity to thrive within ecological boundaries while ensuring planetary justice. Given the severity of the global social-ecological crisis, our work aims to accelerate and achieve deep and encompassing transformations that shape sustainable and resilient regions, cities and neighborhoods.

 As a leading center for advanced spatial sustainability science we develop cross-scale spatial information, analysis tools and knowledge, as well as policy- and planning instruments that enhance adaptive and transformative capacities in territories and places. To that effect we strive to elucidate the internal and external sustainability orientations of individuals, organizations and society, as well as their embeddedness in socio-ecological-technological spatial configurations. Our research and transfer activities draw on integrated mono-, inter- and transdisciplinary approaches, and are reflexive of our role as scientists in spatial development.

We investigate the features, patterns and dynamics of socio-ecological-technological spatial configurations. We focus on landscapes, the built environment, land use and spatial economies to explore and compare their development and transformation, particularly in the territorial context of urban districts and agglomerations, urbanized and rural areas, as well as regions and countries - including cross-border areas. Key environmental factors we examine are the regional climate, ecosystems, biodiversity, resources and natural hazards. As corresponding physical factors of society we study technologies, materials and energy. Ultimately, our principal concern is the coevolution of these factors with societal institutions, cultures and practices regarding sustainability and resilience impacts. This implies considering the role of different individuals and actors, their interactions, as well as society as a whole in co-shaping spatial developments.

 We draw on the spatial, environmental, social, legal, economic and engineering sciences, using various notions of spatiality as a shared reference. This ranges from physical-material space to conceptions of space as relational, socially constructed or imaginary, and subjective experiential and inner space.

 About the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme and your profile

 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are mono-beneficiary actions that require researchers to deliver a specific research project under supervision at a host institution in another country. We invite applications for European Postdoctoral Fellowships from researchers with an excellent track record (academic publications and other scientific output) to undertake research in our areas of expertise:

·        Research Area Transformative Capacities

·        Research Area Landscape, Ecosystems and Biodiversity

·        Research Area Built Environment - Resources and Environmental Risks

Research Area Spatial Information and Modelling