Postdoctoral Research Position in International Relations / International Political Economy with China Focus Goethe University in Germany

The Learning Empire Research Unit is advertising a 4-year postdoctoral research position in International Relations / International Political Economy with a China focus for the project Raw Materials Empire: Imperial Practices in Overseas Mineral Extraction and Processing.

The project is led by Dr. Wiebke Rabe (University of Bremen) and is part of a broader research environment at the Learning Empire unit, which supports early-career scholars through structured doctoral training, joint supervision, mentoring, workshops, writing retreats, and collaborative events. The postdoc will join a cohort of 10+ PhD researchers and postdocs.

The research examines Chinese mineral extraction and processing of cobalt, copper, lithium, and nickel across three major regions: the Copperbelt, the Lithium Triangle, and Indonesia. It focuses both on Chinese strategies for mineral access and project expansion and on the agency of partner countries, with extended fieldwork in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

This opportunity is best suited to candidates with a background in International Relations, International Political Economy, or closely related social science fields, especially those interested in China studies, global raw materials, extraction politics, and transregional fieldwork.

Deadline: 29 May 2026.

To apply, review the job advertisement linked in the post and follow the application instructions provided there.