Understanding Food System Diversification for a Sustainable Future
The global food system faces complex challenges, from environmental strain to nutritional deficiencies. A promising approach to address these issues is food system diversification, which involves increasing variety across various aspects of how we produce, distribute, and consume food. This strategy aims to create more resilient, sustainable, and healthier food systems for everyone.
The University of Bonn’s Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1780, titled “Food System Diversification for Sustainable Nutrition (FoodDiverse),” is a major initiative exploring this concept. Funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), this program is actively seeking researchers to contribute to groundbreaking work in this field. The CRC recognizes that current food systems are often unsustainable, contributing to environmental damage and rising rates of diet-related diseases. By focusing on diversification, the project hopes to unlock benefits such as improved environmental health, better nutrition, and increased resilience against climate and economic shocks.
What is Food System Diversification?
Food system diversification is a broad concept that encompasses increasing variety in several key areas. This includes diversifying agricultural fields, farms, crop systems, and even the markets and trade networks that move food. It also extends to the diversity of diets and the sources from which people obtain their food. The core idea is that a more varied food system can lead to a range of positive outcomes.
Researchers believe that by diversifying food systems, we can achieve several important benefits. These include making agriculture more environmentally friendly, improving the nutritional quality of diets, and helping to prevent diseases. Diversification can also boost agricultural productivity, make food supplies more stable in the face of climate change or economic downturns, and support a greater variety of plant and animal life within ecosystems. However, the CRC also acknowledges that the success of diversification depends heavily on the specific context, scale, and how it is put into practice, as there can be associated costs.
Key Research Questions in Food System Diversification
The FoodDiverse CRC is structured around answering two central research questions that guide its extensive research efforts. These questions aim to provide a deep understanding of how diversification works and how it can be best applied.
How Do Different Forms of Food System Diversification Affect Planetary Health?
This question explores the wide-ranging impacts of diversifying food systems. It looks at how these changes influence human health and overall wellbeing, as well as nutritional outcomes for populations. The research also investigates the effects on environmental sustainability, the health of ecosystems, and the resilience of agricultural production systems. Understanding these connections is crucial for evaluating the true benefits of diversification.
What Levels of Diversification Are Most Beneficial, and How Can They Be Achieved?
This second question focuses on identifying the optimal degree of diversification needed to achieve the best results. It also seeks to understand the practical steps and strategies required to implement these beneficial levels of diversification. This involves examining policy frameworks, encouraging behavioral changes in consumers and producers, improving agricultural systems, shaping market and trade structures, and influencing dietary patterns. The goal is to find actionable pathways for successful diversification.
Research Locations and Methods
The CRC 1780 FoodDiverse initiative conducts its research in two primary locations: Germany and Ghana. This international collaboration allows for the study of diversification strategies in different environmental, economic, and social contexts. The program employs a wide array of scientific methods and data sources to gather comprehensive insights.
Researchers utilize farm-level data, conduct household surveys, and perform individual nutrition studies. They also incorporate remote sensing technologies for landscape analysis and use regional and global modeling to understand broader impacts. Biodiversity assessments and economic modeling are key components, alongside public health and nutrition research. This interdisciplinary approach is designed to provide a holistic view of food system diversification.
Available Research Projects
The CRC 1780 FoodDiverse program offers a variety of research projects, allowing applicants to focus on areas that align with their interests. These projects are grouped into several key themes, covering agricultural, environmental, market, policy, and health aspects of food systems.
Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability Projects
- Project A01: Soil health, biodiversity, and human health: This project examines how soil health and biodiversity are linked to human health through diversified agricultural practices.
- Project A02: Diversification scales for resilient cropping systems: Researchers here investigate the optimal scales at which crop diversification can enhance the resilience of farming systems.
- Project A03: Agricultural diversification impacts on biodiversity: This research focuses on understanding how different forms of agricultural diversification affect local biodiversity.
- Project A04: Agroforestry as a diversification strategy: This project explores the role of agroforestry systems in diversifying agriculture and their associated benefits.
- Project A05: Farm production diversity and efficiency: This work looks at the relationship between the diversity of products on a farm and its overall efficiency.
- Project A06: Socioeconomic and environmental impacts of crop diversification: This research assesses the combined social, economic, and environmental consequences of diversifying crop production.
Food Systems, Markets, and Policy Projects
- Project B01: Agricultural diversity, markets, and dietary diversity: This project investigates how the diversity of agricultural products influences market dynamics and, in turn, dietary diversity.
- Project B02: Food policy and agri-environmental effects: Researchers here analyze how food policies impact both agricultural practices and the environment.
- Project B03: Trade diversity and resilience to shocks: This work examines how the diversity of food trade relationships can enhance resilience to various economic or environmental shocks.
- Project B04: Diversified food systems and global sustainability: This project looks at the broader implications of diversified food systems for achieving global sustainability goals.
- Project B05: Cross-level effects of food system diversification: This research explores how diversification at one level of the food system (e.g., farm) affects other levels (e.g., consumer).
Nutrition and Human Health Projects
- Project C01: Behavioral strategies for food diversification: This project focuses on understanding and promoting behavioral changes that lead to more diversified diets.
- Project C02: Dietary diversity and nutrition: Researchers here study the direct links between the variety in people’s diets and their nutritional status.
- Project C03: Metabolic health in early life stages: This work investigates how dietary diversification impacts metabolic health during childhood.
- Project C04: Adult dietary diversity and metabolic health: This research examines the connection between diet variety and metabolic health in adults.
- Project C05: Personalized dietary diversification: This project explores approaches to tailoring dietary diversification strategies to individual needs.
- Project C06: Sustainability of diversified diets: This research assesses the environmental footprint and overall sustainability of various diversified dietary patterns.
Infrastructure and Coordination Projects
- Project Z01: Central CRC coordination: This project manages the overall operations and coordination of the CRC.
- Project Z02: Survey and cohort studies: This work supports the design and execution of large-scale surveys and long-term studies.
- Project INF: Data infrastructure and services: This project focuses on developing and maintaining the data systems needed for the research.
- Project IRTG: Integrated Research Training Group: This initiative provides structured training and support for doctoral researchers within the CRC.
Available Positions and Funding
The CRC 1780 FoodDiverse program is offering a significant number of research opportunities. There are 24 doctoral researcher positions and 8 postdoctoral researcher positions available. These roles are designed for individuals who are highly motivated and eager to contribute to international research on sustainability and food systems.
Selected candidates will receive fixed-term contracts, typically for three years, with the possibility of an extension into a fourth year. Postdoctoral researchers may also be eligible for further extensions if the project secures second-phase funding. The positions are set to begin on October 1, 2026, or potentially earlier if needed. Doctoral researchers will be paid according to the TV-L 13 (65%) scale, while postdoctoral researchers will receive TV-L 13 (100%). This German public-sector salary framework includes social benefits and employment protections.
Application Requirements
Prospective applicants need to prepare a set of documents to submit their application. These materials should be carefully assembled to reflect the applicant’s qualifications and interest in the specific research projects.
Mandatory Documents
- Motivation Letter: This letter should clearly articulate your interest in the CRC, your academic background, why you are drawn to the specific projects you select, and your research aspirations. Applicants can indicate up to three projects in order of preference.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): For postdoctoral applicants, the CV should include a list of publications, research achievements, and academic experience.
- Academic Certificates and Transcripts: You will need to provide documents for your Master’s degree. Doctoral applicants should also include their doctoral degree documents.
- Writing Sample: Doctoral applicants are asked to submit their Master’s thesis. Postdoctoral applicants should provide a recent research article.
- Academic References: Applicants must supply the names and contact details of two academic referees who can speak to their qualifications.
Benefits of Participating in the CRC
The CRC 1780 FoodDiverse program offers substantial advantages for early-career researchers looking to advance their careers. It provides a fully funded research employment opportunity within an international and collaborative environment. Participants gain access to interdisciplinary expertise and valuable research experience, with opportunities to work in both Germany and Ghana.
This program allows researchers to engage with globally relevant sustainability issues and build strong academic networks. It can serve as a stepping stone for long-term career development in academia, particularly for those interested in sustainability science, agricultural economics, nutrition, public health, environmental policy, climate resilience, development studies, and global food systems.
Diversity and Inclusion
The organizers of the CRC 1780 FoodDiverse initiative are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive research environment. They welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, without regard to their origin, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or cultural background. This commitment ensures that a wide range of perspectives contributes to the research.
Application Deadline and Portal
The deadline for applications is June 14, 2026. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to prepare their application materials well in advance and ensure they are tailored to the specific CRC projects they wish to join. Applications must be submitted online through the official University of Bonn application portal. Additional details about the positions can be found on the ZEF vacancy announcement page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is food system diversification?
Food system diversification means increasing variety in how we grow, move, and eat food, including crops, farms, diets, and markets.
What are the main goals of the FoodDiverse CRC?
The CRC aims to understand how diversifying food systems can improve planetary health, nutrition, and make food supplies more stable against challenges.
Where is the FoodDiverse research taking place?
Research is conducted in Germany and Ghana, allowing for the study of diversification in different environments and cultures.
What positions are available and when is the application deadline?
There are 24 doctoral and 8 postdoctoral positions available, with applications due by June 14, 2026.
