Doctoral Research Assistant (m/f/d) at the Professorshio for International Political Economy

At Helmut Schmidt University / University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg (HSU/UniBw H), Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Professorship for International Political Economy (Univ.-Prof. Dr. Stephen), a position is available from 01.10.2026 for a

Doctoral Research Assistant (m/f/d)

(salary group 13 TVöD [Collective agreement for the public service]; 29,25 hours per week)

for a limited period of 4 years.

This doctoral position is part of the research project “Ideology of Empire: China’s Ideational Binding Practices in Global Governance”. The project investigates the evolution, promotion and reception of Chinese efforts to reshape the ideational environment of global governance. More information on the project can be found here: https://learning-empire.com/ideology-of-empire/.

The project is part of the Research Unit “Learning Empire: Autonomy, Dependence, and China’s Emerging Imperial Practices” (FOR 5913/1) funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The Research Unit represents a large-scale effort to study China's changing international practices under the conditions of a world order in transition and includes eight projects across leading German universities and research institutions. It supports early-career researchers with transferable academic skills, a collaborative academic network, and a doctoral workshop program. More information on the Research Unit can be found here: https://learning-empire.com/home/.

Responsibilities:

• Assisting in the research, data collection and administration of the research project “Ideology of Empire: China’s Ideational Binding Practices in Global Governance”
• Engaging actively in the intellectual life of the Research Unit “Learning Empire”
• Publishing in international peer-reviewed journals and/or quality book publishers
• Possibility of further academic qualification (e.g. doctorate or habilitation)
• Carrying out general administrative work as well as academic activities in academic self-administration

Qualification requirements:

• A completed university degree (Diploma [univ.] or Master) in Political Science, International Relations, or a related discipline
• Excellent command of English with a proficiency level that corresponds at least to the language level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

Furthermore desired:

• Excellent knowledge of theories and methods of International Relations/International Political Economy
• Research experience related to China
• Knowledge of Mandarin Chinese and willingness to conduct fieldwork in China
• Knowledge of German
• To enjoy working in a team and to collaborate on joint research projects

Features of this position:

• Capital-forming benefits
• Annual bonus payment
• Company pension scheme
• Flexible working hours
• DeutschlandJobTicket with employer subsidy if the necessary requirements are met
• Possibility of claiming a childcare place in a daycare centre close to the campus if the necessary preconditions are met
• You will benefit from targeted personnel development and an extensive range of further training and education opportunities.
• Budget-friendly meals in the campus canteen with three meals a day
• Possibility of participation in the corporate benefits program
• You have the opportunity to participate in workplace health promotion offers (for more information, see: www.hsu-hh.de/bgm/).
• Free parking on the campus grounds
• Possibility of using the Bundeswehr's own car-sharing service (for more information, go to: www.bwcarsharing.de).

For questions related to scientific or technical aspects of this position, please contact Univ.-Prof. Dr. Stephen by e-mail: matthew.stephen@hsu.hamburg.

The employment is based on the TVöD in conjunction with the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-Term Scientific Contracts). In principle, the activities correspond to pay group 13. Classification up to pay group 13 of the TVöD shall be made in accordance with § 12 of the TVöD with regard to the activities to be performed on a more than temporary basis and the fulfilment of the personal or collective agreement requirements (job characteristics).

Part-time employment is possible.

The planned appointment date or the "start date" mentioned is a date that may change due to the course of the tendering procedure.

The Federal Armed Forces promotes professional equality between women and men and therefore particularly welcomes applications from women.

In accordance with the Sozialgesetzbuch IX (Social Code Book IX) and the Disability Equality Act, we expressly welcome applications from severely disabled persons; the fulfilment of the requirements for the advertisement will be considered on an individual basis.

The German Armed Forces supports the goals of the National Integration Plan and welcomes applications from people with a migrant background.

More information about the university and the professorship can be found at:

www.hsu-hh.de and https://www.hsu-hh.de/polipo/en/.

Please send your application (consisting of a short letter of motivation, Curriculum Vitae and scans of academic degrees and transcripts) exclusively in electronic form (pdf file), quoting the reference number WiSo-1826, by 30.06.2026 to:

personalabteilung@hsu-hh.de.

Note:

Information on data protection in the application process can be found on the website www.hsu-hh.de under the heading "Universität - Karriere - Datenschutzinformationen“.

Applications without reference number will not be considered and will be deleted immediately for data protection reasons.

Bitte beziehen Sie sich in Ihrer Bewerbung auf AkademischeStellen.com