Jean-Frédéric Morin

Université Laval, in partnership with the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) in Berlin, is offering two fully funded PhD scholarships for research on the scientific Silk Road of China and the new geopolitics of knowledge production. The project, funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, critically examines the impacts of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on global scientific practices, with a particular focus on environmental and space-related issues. The program is interdisciplinary, drawing on political science, international relations, sociology, anthropology, geography, and science and technology studies (STS). Doctoral students will be co-supervised by Professors Hang Zhou and Jean-Frédéric Morin at Université Laval, and Professors Han Cheng and Anna Lisa Ahlers at MPIWG. Students will be affiliated with the Department of Political Science, the School of International Studies, and CIRGoM at Laval, and may spend time at MPIWG in Berlin and participate in a doctoral seminar at the University of Oslo. The scholarship covers tuition, provides a stipend of $40,000 CAD per year for four years, and includes additional funds for research, travel, and workspace. Applicants must have or be completing a master's degree in a relevant field by 2026, demonstrate strong interest in scientific diplomacy and global science governance, and be proficient in English or French. Applications are open to all nationalities, with a deadline of November 14, 2025. Interested candidates should email Professor Han Cheng with required documents and later submit an official application to Université Laval.

Two fully funded, four-year PhD scholarships are available at Université Laval, Quebec City, in partnership with the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) in Berlin, for an international research project examining the multi-level impacts of China’s expanding scientific cooperation, with a focus on environmental and space issues. The project, funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, investigates the Science Silk Road and its implications for global science policy, knowledge production, and international alliances. Successful candidates will be co-supervised by Professors Hang Zhou and Jean-Frédéric Morin (Université Laval) and mentored by Professors Han Cheng and Anna Lisa Ahlers (MPIWG). Students will be based in the Department of Political Science at Université Laval, with opportunities to spend time at MPIWG in Berlin and attend a PhD course at the University of Oslo. The scholarships are open to candidates of any nationality and cover full tuition, a stipend of approximately C$40,000 per year, and additional research and travel funds. Applicants should have or expect a Master’s degree in a relevant field, strong interest in science policy and international cooperation, and fluency in English or French. The application deadline is November 14, 2025. To apply, email Prof. Han Cheng with the required documents and later submit a formal application through Université Laval.

Université Laval is offering two Volkswagen Foundation-funded PhD scholarships for research on China’s Science Silk Road and the new geopolitics of knowledge production. The project critically examines the multi-level impacts of China’s expanding scientific cooperation, focusing on environmental and space issues. The scholarships are open to candidates of any nationality and provide full tuition coverage, a competitive stipend of approximately C$40,000 per year, and additional funds for research, travel, and workspace. Successful candidates will be co-supervised by Professors Hang Zhou and Jean-Frédéric Morin at Université Laval, and Professors Han Cheng and Anna Lisa Ahlers at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science. The research is interdisciplinary, drawing from international relations, sociology, anthropology, geography, and science and technology studies. Students will be based at Université Laval’s Department of Political Science, with opportunities to spend time at MPIWG in Berlin and attend relevant courses in Oslo. Applicants must hold or expect to attain a Master’s degree with Merit or Distinction in a relevant discipline by the end of the 2025-26 academic year. They should have a strong interest in science diplomacy, policy, and global governance. Proficiency in English or French is required, with a good understanding of the other language. Application documents include an academic CV, cover letter, transcripts, and a research proposal. The deadline for applications is November 14, 2025. For more information, applicants can visit the Université Laval program website.

Université Laval 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 (Quebec City) and the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (Berlin), with opportunities to attend courses at the University of Oslo. The research draws on interdisciplinary perspectives from political science, international relations, sociology of science, STS, anthropology, and geography, contributing to debates on science policy and global governance. Candidates must hold or expect to complete a Master’s degree with Merit or Distinction in a relevant discipline by the end of the 2025-26 academic year. Applicants should have a strong interest in science diplomacy, policy, and international cooperation. Knowledge of the Belt and Road Initiative and Global China Studies is helpful but not required. Research focus may be global (requiring mixed methods skills) or regional (requiring qualitative research experience, preferably ethnographic fieldwork in Africa or Latin America). Fluency in English or French is required. The scholarships cover full tuition and a stipend of C$40,000 per year for four years, plus additional funding for research, travel, fieldwork, training, and conferences. Students will be co-supervised by Prof. Hang Zhou and Prof. Jean-Frédéric Morin at Université Laval, with mentorship from Prof. Han Cheng and Prof. Anna Lisa Ahlers at MPIWG. Application requires emailing Prof. Han Cheng with CV, cover letter, transcripts, and a research proposal, followed by a formal application to Université Laval. The deadline is November 14, 2025.