PhD Position in International Relations / International Political Economy with China Focus on Green Value Chains Goethe University in Germany

Goethe University’s Learning Empire research unit is advertising a PhD position in International Relations / International Political Economy with a China focus.

The position is part of the research project “Economic Empire. Peripheralization along Chinese-led Green Value Chains”, led by Prof. Tobias ten Brink. The project examines the politico-economic consequences of China’s dominance in key green energy industries, with particular attention to the value chains for solar photovoltaics, electric vehicles, and batteries. The regional focus is Southeast Asia, especially Thailand and Malaysia.

The Learning Empire research unit describes itself as a vibrant intellectual community focused on studying China’s global impact and training the next generation of China scholars. The doctoral environment includes structured doctoral training, joint supervision across projects, a mentoring scheme, a workshop program, writing retreats, and collaborative events. The post is part of a larger cohort of 10+ PhD researchers and postdocs, offering a strong interdisciplinary and methods-oriented environment.

This is a doctoral opening; no master’s or postdoctoral application is indicated in the post. The deadline shown in the post and careers page is 20 May 2026.

Applicants should check the full job advertisement for detailed eligibility criteria and application instructions.