PhD Position in Global Finance, Political Economy of China, and Geoeconomics at Goethe University Frankfurt Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany

Goethe University Frankfurt is advertising a 4-year PhD position in the DFG-funded project “Financial Empire: China’s Construction of an Alternative Financial System”, led by Dr. Johannes Petry and embedded in the research unit Learning Empire. Autonomy, Dependence, and China’s Emerging Imperial Practices.

The project examines the transformation of global financial structures under geopolitical tension and studies China’s efforts to build an alternative, Sinocentric financial system. The successful candidate will work closely with the project team and contribute to qualitative interviews, policy document analysis, dataset building on China’s international financial activities, project management, workshops, publications, and conference presentations.

Research areas / keywords: global finance, international and comparative political economy, political economy of China, geoeconomics, state capitalism, financial market infrastructures, China studies, qualitative research methods.

Eligibility: applicants should hold a strong Master’s degree or equivalent in political science or a related field. Strong knowledge of international/comparative political economy is expected, especially in global finance and/or the political economy of China. Experience with qualitative methods is required or strongly desired, along with willingness to conduct international fieldwork and excellent English. Chinese language skills, knowledge of China’s financial system, and quantitative/data experience are desirable. German is helpful but not mandatory.

Funding and conditions: the role is a 75% TV-G-U research associate position (E13), fixed-term for 3.5 years with an optional extension to 4 years. It is part of a structured doctoral training environment with mentoring, workshops, writing retreats, and access to international networks. The post is designed to support completion of a PhD.

Deadline: 20 June 2026. Applications should be submitted electronically with cover letter, CV, two writing samples, certificates, and transcripts of records, quoting reference number 06/2026.

Contact: Dr. Johannes Petry ([email protected]).