PhD position: The Geopolitics of Europe-China Tech-decoupling

16 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)

Research Field

Cultural studies

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

22 Apr 2024 – 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

This PhD position is part of the Vidi project “Globalization Unravelling? The Geopolitical Drivers of Europe-China Tech decoupling” (funded by NWO, the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek). In this project, we analyse and explain the geopolitical drivers behind emergent decoupling between Europe and China in the realm of technology. In the project we place contemporary geopolitical competition over technology in a wider historical context by analysing ‘three waves of techno-nationalism’ going back to the Cold War as well as the competition with Japan in the 1980s. Against this background in your dissertation you will analyse how political and geopolitical drivers are shaping policies, practices and contestation around contemporary technological decoupling between Europe and China and explain (variation in) technological decoupling practices and responses in Europe and across different tech domains. You will also contribute to the project’s theory development around techno-nationalism and decoupling in a globalized world. You will collect and analyse data from (policy)documents, reports and media, and you will conduct extensive fieldwork (e.g. elite interviews, participant observation) as well as historical comparative analysis.

You will be part of a team consisting of the PI, a postdoc, and a co-PhD supervisor.

Your responsibilities

• write a dissertation on geopolitical drivers behind emergent decoupling between Europe and China in the realm of technology
• contribute to (joint) publications on the findings of the project
• contribute to organizing workshops and meetings related to the project
• undertake methods training and course work in the faculty’s Graduate School of Social Sciences
• disseminate findings of the project at international academic conferences and workshops

Requirements
Specific Requirements

Requirements:

• degree in Political Science, International Relations, or a closely related field
• knowledge of Europe-China relations
• solid training in qualitative methodology and (at least) basic quantitative methods
• willingness and ability to spend several weeks abroad for field work
• proficiency in academic English (written and spoken)

Additional qualifications considered a plus:
knowledge of Chinese and / or European and/or US politics and foreign policy competence and/or willingness to work with (social) network methodologies (e.g. SNA, DNA) experience in conducting and analyzing (elite) interviews apprehension of Mandarin (written and or spoken)

Additional Information
Benefits

A challenging position in a highly committed team within a societally-engaged university and a vibrant international city. The possibility to become an active member of the China in Europe Research Network (CHERN ). The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts € 2.770 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to € 3,539 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 1 FTE.

The intended start date is no later than 1st of September 2024. The appointment will initially be for a period of one year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a duration of 4 years.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
• contribution to commuting expenses

Additional comments

Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter until April 22, 2024. Interviews are planned to take place in May 2024.

NB: Applications received by e-mail will not be processed.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/339115/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Country

Netherlands

City

Amsterdam

Postal Code

1081HV

Street

De Boelelaan 1105

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/339115/phd-position-the-geopolitics-of-euro…

Contact

City

Amsterdam

Website

http://www.vu.nl/

Street

De Boelelaan 1105

Postal Code

1081 HV

STATUS: EXPIRED