PhD "The Weaponisation of Ideas: US-China Competition in the Symbolic Field"

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) invites applications for a funded PhD position titled "The Weaponisation of Ideas: US-China Competition in the Symbolic Field." This opportunity is embedded within the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS) at the Brussels School of Governance, a leading research centre specializing in international security, diplomacy, and strategy. The project, led by Professor Caterina Carta and funded by the Flemish Research Foundation (FWO), focuses on the ideational and symbolic dimensions of US–China rivalry, examining how ideological, cultural, and civilisational narratives are mobilised as instruments of power and contribute to adversarial collective identities. Grounded in International Relations theory and discourse theory, the research analyses US and Chinese narratives from 2000 to 2024 across multiple symbolic fields, including official political discourse, academic debates, and selected cultural outputs. The methodological approach combines machine-learning–enhanced text-as-data analysis with qualitative discourse analysis, offering candidates the opportunity to engage with both computational and qualitative research methods. The project aims to produce high-quality scholarly outputs, including peer-reviewed journal articles, a research monograph, an edited volume, policy-oriented publications, and expert workshops. As a PhD researcher, you will contribute to the collection, organisation, and analysis of large textual corpora in English and Chinese, develop analytical categories and indicators, and interpret discursive patterns related to identity, ideology, and strategic rivalry. The environment is international, interdisciplinary, and methodologically diverse, with access to extensive academic and policy networks in Brussels and beyond. Additional tasks may include limited teaching activities, event organisation, and contributions to broader CSDS activities. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, or a closely related discipline with excellent results. Fluency in English is required, and proficiency in Mandarin (especially reading skills), prior exposure to discourse analysis or qualitative research methods, and willingness to engage with large textual corpora and mixed-methods research are considered strong assets. Candidates must not have worked as an assistant paid from operating resources for more than 12 months. Non-EEA nationals must meet permit and residence requirements for VUB. The position offers a full-time PhD scholarship for 12 months, extendable up to 48 months upon positive evaluation. The grant is linked to government scales, and additional benefits include telework allowance, hospitalisation insurance, public transport reimbursement, campus meal discounts, sports facilities, nursery discounts, and access to learning platforms. The planned starting date is 1 September 2026, and the Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base. To apply, submit your CV, motivation letter, and diploma (not required for VUB alumni) via jobs.vub.be by 15 March 2026. Applicants are invited to submit a proposal related to US–China great power competition, ideational, ideological, or cultural narratives in international politics, discourse, identity, cultural and strategic narratives, or Chinese foreign policy narratives and symbolic power. The selection process includes an initial application review and a job interview. For questions about the job content, contact Professor Caterina Carta at [email protected] . VUB is committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion, offering an open and informal working environment with attention to work-life balance and opportunities for continuous learning. For more information about the university, its campuses, benefits, and the EUTOPIA alliance, visit jobs.vub.be and eutopia-university.eu .