Han Cheng

Laval University is offering two fully funded PhD positions as part of an international research project examining China’s Science Silk Road and the new geopolitics of knowledge production. The project, funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, focuses on the impacts of China’s scientific cooperation, with one position dedicated to environmental issues and the other to outer space. Successful candidates will join a partnership between Université Laval in Quebec City and the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin, with opportunities to participate in research activities in Oslo. The program covers full tuition and provides a competitive stipend of C$40,000 per year, plus additional funding for research, travel, fieldwork, training, and conferences. Candidates must hold or expect to earn a Master’s degree with Merit or Distinction in political science, international relations, sociology, anthropology, geography, or related fields. Applicants should have a strong interest in science diplomacy, policy, and global governance, and be fluent in English or French. The mentoring team includes Professors Hang Zhou and Jean-Frédéric Morin at Université Laval, and Professors Han Cheng and Anna Lisa Ahlers at MPIWG. The application deadline is November 14, 2025. To apply, email Prof. Han Cheng with your CV, cover letter, transcripts, and a research proposal. More details are available on the CIRGoM and Université Laval websites.