PhD Opportunities: Two Doctoral Positions in Modern Chinese Studies – University of Zurich
PhD Opportunities: Two Doctoral Positions in Modern Chinese Studies – University of Zurich
Institution: University of Zurich
Institute: Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies (IAOS)
Chair: Chair of Modern Chinese Studies
Project: SNSF Project – Governing the Party: How the Chinese Communist Party Holds Itself Together
Number of Positions: 2
Position: PhD Researcher / Doctoral Candidate
Appointment: 80%, Temporary
Duration: 48 Months
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Expected Start Date: March 1, 2027
Funding: Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Salary: According to SNSF guidelines; exact amount not specified
Application Deadline: November 22, 2026
Overview of the Opportunity
The Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies at the University of Zurich invites applications for two doctoral positions within the SNSF-funded project:
“Governing the Party: How the Chinese Communist Party Holds Itself Together.”
The project is based at the Chair of Modern Chinese Studies and is supervised by Prof. Dr. Jean Christopher Mittelstaedt.
The research examines the Chinese Communist Party as an organisation, focusing on how it governs itself across different institutional levels and settings.
About the Research Project
The project runs from 2027 to 2031 and investigates the organisational and ideological mechanisms through which the Chinese Communist Party maintains internal cohesion and governance.
It examines the Party below the central level, including:
Provincial Party committees
Local Party organisations
Village branches
State institutions
Enterprises
Universities
Social organisations
Other institutions in which Party organisations operate
Contemporary and historical projects on the CCP since 1949 are welcome.
Research Areas
Applicants may develop projects within one of four broad areas.
1. Forming Its People
Research may examine:
Recruitment
Training
Evaluation
Promotion
Cadre development
Organisational life of Party members
2. Making and Enforcing Its Rules
Possible topics include:
Internal regulation
Party supervision
Discipline
Compliance
Handling misconduct
Institutional rule enforcement
3. Producing Shared Meaning
Research may focus on:
Ideology
Ideological production
Recombination of political ideas
Institutional implementation of ideology
Meaning-making across organisational levels
4. Extending Its Organisation
Possible research areas include Party organisations in:
State organs
Enterprises
Universities
Social organisations
Other institutional settings
These areas are intended as broad orientations rather than fixed topics. Applicants are expected to propose an original and feasible doctoral project.
Research Methods
The project welcomes a range of approaches, including:
Archival research
Documentary research
Ethnographic research
Quantitative methods
Computational text analysis
Qualitative and interpretive methods
Candidates are not expected to possess expertise in every method at entry, but should demonstrate willingness to develop new methodological skills.
Key Responsibilities
The selected doctoral researchers will:
Develop and complete an independent doctoral dissertation.
Work within one of the project’s four research areas.
Develop large datasets from published Chinese-language sources.
Contribute to the project’s shared analytical framework.
Publish research in peer-reviewed journals.
Contribute to co-authored project outputs.
Conduct fieldwork, archival research, or interviews where appropriate.
Present research at academic conferences.
Participate in team research activities.
Enrol in a doctoral programme within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Assist with workshops and limited project administration.
Candidate Profile
Applicants should have:
An excellent Master’s degree or equivalent in:
Political Science
Sociology
Chinese Studies
History
Related disciplines
Degree completion by the employment start date.
Strong proficiency in Modern Chinese sufficient for independent work with Chinese-language primary sources.
Strong interest in political institutions and organisations.
Ability to engage with theory in areas such as:
Comparative Politics
Political Sociology
Organisation Studies
Ideology
Training in at least one relevant research methodology.
Excellent written and spoken English.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
German is considered an asset but is not required.
Training Expectations
Relevant methodological preparation may include:
Qualitative research
Interpretive methods
Quantitative methods
Computational text analysis
The project places greater emphasis on the applicant’s ability and willingness to learn than on having a complete methodological toolkit at the outset.
Funding & Employment Conditions
The positions are funded according to SNSF guidelines.
The vacancy does not provide a specific salary figure.
Employment conditions include:
48-month temporary appointment
80% employment level
Funding for fieldwork
Funding for archival research
Conference travel support
Workshop funding
Regular supervision in a small research team
Doctoral researchers may also be eligible to apply for an SNSF mobility grant supporting a research stay abroad of 6 to 12 months.
Supplementary SNSF measures, including flexibility grants for researchers with children, may also be available where applicable.
Application Checklist
Applicants must submit the application as one PDF file containing:
Cover Letter
Maximum 2 pages
Indicate chosen research area
Motivation
Relevant skills
Earliest possible start date
Curriculum Vitae
BA and MA Diplomas
BA and MA Transcripts
Research Proposal
Maximum 3 pages excluding bibliography
Research question
Position within one of the four project areas
Sources
Methods
Four-year feasibility
Two Writing Samples
Maximum 2,000 words each
One must come from the MA thesis
Names and Contact Details of 2 Academic Referees
Referees will be contacted only for shortlisted candidates.
Important Dates
Application Deadline: November 22, 2026
Review of Applications: Begins after the closing date
Interviews: First half of December 2026
Expected Offers: Before Christmas 2026
Employment Start Date: March 1, 2027
Contract Duration: 48 months
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the University of Zurich job portal.
For academic questions:
Prof. Dr. Jean Christopher Mittelstaedt
Chair of Modern Chinese Studies
ServiceSetu Academics is a trusted partner in higher education. Our mission is to empower the academic community through knowledge, upskilling, and global partnerships. We have partnered with leading B-Schools and universities worldwide to drive academic and research excellence. Our portfolio spans executive education, global immersion programs, strategic outreach, certification programs, faculty development programs, short-term courses, and training with top international institutions.
Faculty Members and PhD Scholars may explore ServiceSetu Annual Membership and attend all ServiceSetu workshops FREE, and associated workshops at discounted prices during the membership tenure.
You may join the ServiceSetu Whatsapp Channel to get updates on faculty positions, leadership roles, conferences, workshops, research projects and post-doctoral fellowships, etc.
We are trusted by IITs, IIMs, and top business schools across the country for PhD outreach and conference promotions. Explore Marketing and Outreach services.
We have trained more than 10,000 academicians on different research methods, tools and techniques by conducting more than 50 workshops. Explore our Upcoming Workshops.
RELATED VIDEO
COMMENTS (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
SIGN IN TO COMMENT