The University of Göttingen—Public Law Foundation—and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, RTG 3209 China-GRASP: China’s Geoeconomic Rise and the Accumulation of Structural Power, offer 11 positions as PhD researchers (all genders welcome).
Please find more information on how to apply in the job opening here or download the PDF.
The application deadline is July 24, 2026.
Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L/75%
Starting date is 10/1/2026. The positions are initially for three years (until 30 September 2029) with the possibility of a one-year extension.
Research Training Group (RTG) China-GRASP: China’s Geoeconomic Rise and the Accumulation of Structural Power: Empirical Analyses at the Macro and Micro Level
Applicants are expected to relate to the RTG's focus areas. The focus areas are outlined here here.
- To introduce the RTG and answer questions in relation to the application process, there will be an online information event held from 12pm to 1pm (CEST) on July 8th, 2026. To register, please send an email to: rtg3209@uni-goettingen.de.
- If you have any questions regarding the advertised positions or RAs, please contact the main supervisor(s) involved (see the outlines of the research clusters).
- If you have any general questions regarding the application process, please send an e-mail to rtg3209@uni-goettingen.de.
- Admission requirements. Please note that a confirmation of supervision (4.) will be declared after being accepted for the position. It is not needed for the RTG-application.
- More information about the Doctoral Studies Programme of the Faculty of Social Sciences
- Contact: Martin Ertelt, Martin.Ertelt-1@sowi.uni-goettingen.de
- Certain admission requirements must be met in order to enter the doctoral programme.
- More information about the Doctoral Studies Programme of the Faculty of Economics and Business
- Contact: Katharina Vötter, doctorate@wiwi.uni-goettingen.de
- degree certificates or transcripts from programmes taught in English,
- certificates confirming the language of instruction,
- recognised English language certificates, or
- other relevant documents demonstrating English-language proficiency.
To apply for a PhD position it is required that you fulfill all the admission requirements to enroll in a doctoral studies programme after being accepted for the position. Please therefore check the specific requirements depending on your discipline. In case you have any questions we kindly ask you to contact the Students and Examination Office directly. Doing a doctorate at the Faculty of Social Sciences
I am interested in several research areas. Can I apply for more than one research area?
You can apply for up to three research areas. Please then submit only one research proposal and clearly indicate which research areas you are applying for.
The research proposal should convey a clear idea of your research project, including research question, state of research and theoretical/methodological approach. It helps us to evaluate the applicants’ research projects with regard to the evaluation criteria (innovation, feasibility and relevance to the RTG and its research areas). Please state clearly which research area you are applying for. The length of the research project should not exceed 2 pages (a bibliography may be added).
There is no formal minimum English language requirement (e.g. a specific CEFR level). Applicants should provide appropriate documentation demonstrating their proficiency in English.
Suitable evidence may include, for example:
The Master's degree (including certificate) must be completed by the start of the contract (01.10.2026) at the latest, otherwise the application cannot be considered. Instead of a Master's certificate, please submit a statement from your supervisor indicating the progress of your Master's thesis and the quality of your preliminary work and, if possible, a transcript of records of your previous academic achievements.
No. You do not need to contact a potential supervisor or obtain a letter of acceptance before submitting your application.
Please submit your application, including all required documents, through the application portal. The supervision of successful applicants will be organised within the RTG by the participating Principal Researchers (PRs) after the selection process.
We look forward to receiving your application, even if you have already started your doctoral studies. However, please outline how your previous research relates to the topic of the RTG/ the research area and/or how you want to adjust your future research to the RTG’s focus/research area. Also, how do you think will you benefit from further qualification as part of the RTG? Please also indicate how far advanced your doctoral thesis is/ how long you think you will need until completion.
Yes. Applicants who already hold a PhD are eligible to apply for RTG 3209. However, please note that the advertised positions are doctoral researcher positions. If selected, you would join the programme under the same employment conditions and training framework as all other doctoral researchers.
Successful candidates will be employed by the University; place of work will be Göttingen (with certain flexibility regarding remote work according to the University’s guidelines). As indicated in the job posting, PhD researchers are expected to participate in the RTG’s qualification programme and collaborate on their research - which requires on site-presence.