Postdoc Research Associate in International Relations / International Political Economy with a focus on China and Critical Minerals University of Bremen in Germany

University of Bremen is advertising a Research Associate (Postdoc) position in International Relations / International Political Economy with a focus on China. The post is embedded in the project “China’s Raw Materials Empire: Imperial Practices in the Extraction and Processing of Mineral Resources Abroad”, led by Prof. Wiebke Rabe, and linked to the DFG-funded Research Unit “Learning Empire. Autonomy, Dependence, and China’s Emerging Imperial Practices”.

The project examines Chinese mineral extraction and processing of cobalt, copper, lithium, and nickel across the Copperbelt, the Lithium Triangle, and Indonesia. The successful candidate will conduct innovative research on Chinese strategies for mineral access and project expansion, as well as the agency of partner countries, contributing to debates on global resource governance, China’s overseas investments, and critical minerals.

This is a full-time, fixed-term postdoctoral position for 4 years at E13 TV-L. The role includes extended fieldwork in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, document-based research, openness to statistical methods, and active participation in the intellectual life of the research unit. The university highlights a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment and offers standard public-sector benefits.

Eligibility highlights: a very good PhD in Political Science (final-stage PhD candidates may apply if the doctorate is completed by the start date), a first-class Master’s or equivalent in Political Science or a related field, proven fieldwork experience, strong qualitative methods skills, excellent English, and additional language ability such as Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, French, or Bahasa Indonesia.

Deadline: 2026-05-29. Applications must be submitted in English as a single PDF by unencrypted email to the university’s application address, quoting reference number A084-26.