Terms of Reference
Research fellow
Project: Green Central Asia II Transboundary dialogue on climate, water, and security issues in CA- Bridging borders to enhance regional adaptation & mitigation
- BACKGROUND
The Kazakh-German University (DKU) in Almaty is an international network university inspired by Humboldt’s university idea. Founded in 199l, the DKU combines science, society, and culture in Central Asia with educational programs, research, and engagement. The University aims to ensure that students, teachers, and researchers contribute to social and economic prosperity and sustainability in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Based on a German-Kazakh intergovernmental agreement, DKU is a flagship project for academic relationship building between Germany and Central Asia. The Center for Natural Resources and Sustainability (CRS) at the DKU was established to enhance and broaden the University’s sustainability goals along the water-energy-land-ecosystems-mobility nexus against Central Asia’s climate change backdrop.
- FELLOW POSITION
DKU is seeking two research fellows at the Center for Natural Resources and Sustainability for the Green Central Asia II project.
The goal of the Green Central Asia Initiative is to promote policy dialogue and, therefore, improve access to information and data so that countries can more accurately assess the impacts of climate change and develop joint preventive measures. The target group of the initiative is the ministries of foreign affairs (and through them, the relevant institutions responsible for climate and natural resources, including educational and research institutes) of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Scientific support will be provided by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg and the German-Kazakh University (DKU).
As part of the project, the DKU will develop a two years’ fellowship program at the CRS for young researchers to promote more profound and borderless science cooperation among German and Central-Asian Universities and Research Institutions. The fellows will receive comprehensive support of their research through a mentorship program.
- TASKS
The selected candidate will compile the following tasks:
- Publishing at least four articles for the two scientific journals of the CRS (CAJWR and CAJSCR).
- Bringing in fresh ideas for research topics and activities held at the DKU.
- Reviewing content, providing feedback to articles written for the scientific journals of the CRS,
- Supporting the conceptual design of the policy-science dialogue of the yearly Silk Road Conference and the structure and content of the project’s annual short-term online training courses and the symposium for young researchers and professionals.
- Search for grants, call for proposals in the thematic areas of the Green Central Asia Initiative, and write proposals.
- Online Teaching in the project’s yearly short-term training courses and speaker at the youth symposium.
- The Fellow will support other/ad hoc activities as seen as relevant and needed to achieve the project goals
Percentage distribution of job responsibilities
| Responsibilities | Rate, % |
| Conducting scientific research, writing articles and promoting | 40% |
| Conceptual support for the Center’s projects (Search forgrants, call for proposals) | 20% |
| Teaching or project management at the Center | 20% |
| Assistance in organizing and conducting one session of the SilkRoad of Knowledge Conference | 20% |
- REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- A PhD focussing on a research topic that is relevant to targets of the Green Central Asia Initiative.
- Excellent analytical and research methodology skills.
- Prior research or work experience in the water-energy-land-ecosystems-mobility nexus.
- Proven track record in ensuring the quality of delivered tasks.
- Prior experience in writing and producing reports, research papers, or briefs.
Desirable:
- Prior experience and/or knowledge of impact evaluation and evidence synthesis methodologies.
- Quantitative analysis skills using statistical software packages.
- Prior experience in designing and organizing workshops and seminars.
- Awards/recognitions/achievements in the field of expertise
- Language skills:
- Excellent verbal and written English and Russian language skills;
- Knowledge of Kazakh and/or German is an advantage.
IV. REPORTING
The Research Fellow will report to the Director of the CRS, following a work plan developed in collaboration with the selected candidates.
V. REMUNERATION AND DURATION
20 months (starting from January 2026) – Euro 1,100 (including taxes) – monthly
Probationary period: 1 month from the date of contract conclusion
VII. REQUESTED INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION
We invite interested candidates to carefully read this Terms of Reference and send their CVs to Elmira Huseynova, Deputy Director of the Center for Natural Resources and Sustainability, using the following email address: huseynova@dku.kz. Please write the email subject line to “Fellowship Program candidate”.
Application deadline: December 15, 2025, 12:00 Astana time.
