PhD researcher (all genders welcome)

Stellen-ID: 76523

Einrichtung: RTG 3209 China-GRASP: China´s Geoeconomic Rise and the Accumulation of Structural Power - Goettingen - Kiel

At the University of Göttingen – Public Law Foundation – there are 11 PhD researcher positions (all genders welcome). The positions are payable in Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L/75%, starting 1 October 2026 and ending 30 September 2029.

PhD Researcher (all genders welcome) – English only

Contact person: Laura Fuhrmann – laura.fuhrmann@uni-goettingen.de – 05513924140

We are looking for researchers fascinated by how China is reshaping the global order and who want to investigate this systematically. The Research Training Group (RTG) brings together scholars from Economics, Political Science and Area Studies to examine China’s geoeconomic rise. Your research will be situated within one of our fifteen Focus Areas, linked to the broader intellectual agenda of the RTG.

What we offer

• Your own PhD project – supervised personally and tailored to your disciplinary background and research goals
• A stimulating intellectual environment – regular exchange with leading scholars and practitioners
• Interdisciplinary training – collaborative coursework bridging Economics, Political Science and Area Studies
• An international network – opportunities for research stays abroad through the University of Göttingen’s and the Kiel Institute’s global partnerships
• Dedicated career development and mentorship – to prepare you for academic and non‑academic careers
• A welcoming, diverse community committed to equal opportunities – we actively encourage applications from under‑represented groups

Who we are looking for

• A completed Master’s degree (or equivalent, graded good or very good) in a relevant discipline such as Economics, Political Science, International Relations, Asian or China Studies, Development Studies, Global Governance, International Security, or related fields
• Strong methodological skills, quantitative or qualitative, suited to a chosen Focus Area
• Fulfillment of the requirements to the Doctoral Program for your discipline at the University of Göttingen
• Fluency in written and spoken English (the RTG’s working language); advanced knowledge of the Chinese language will be an asset and is required for some positions
• A self‑designed, innovative and feasible research proposal that makes a clear contribution to one or more of our Research Clusters

Application procedure

Please submit the following documents in English (or German as PDFs) to the University of Göttingen’s application portal by 24 July 2026 (single consolidated PDF):

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Motivation letter (max. 1 page) explaining why you want to pursue a PhD within this RTG
• Research proposal outline (max. 2 pages) addressing a specific Focus Area; you may submit up to two proposals and indicate an interest in three Focus Areas
• Writing sample (approx. 10 pages)
• List of publications (if applicable)
• Language certificates
• Certificates of the academic university degree(s) and transcripts of record
• Names and contact details of two academic referees
• Responses to the questions in the application portal (all questions must be answered)

Application deadline: 24 July 2026. The first round of interviews is scheduled online from 10 to 14 August 2026, the second round from 18 to 20 August 2026. Applicants may be invited to in‑person interviews; travel expenses may be reimbursed up to a maximum of €300.

Equal opportunities and diversity

The RTG 3209 is strongly committed to promoting equal opportunities and diversity. We welcome applications from individuals irrespective of gender, social status, religion, ethnic origin, nationality, migration background, gender identity, or disability. Qualified women are encouraged to apply, particularly in fields where they are underrepresented. The University of Göttingen is an equal‑opportunities employer and supports career opportunities for women, parents, and severely disabled employees.

With submission of your application, you accept the processing of your applicant data in accordance with data‑protection law. Further information on the legal basis and data usage is provided in the Information General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).