Founded more than 25 years ago, BICC (Bonn International Center for Conversion) is a non-university research institute with international staff. The Institute deals with a variety of global topics in peace and conflict research in international projects and, on this basis, provides policy advice and contributes to public debates.

We are looking for a

PhD Researcher (m/f/d)

Part time / pay scale 13 TV-L / for three years / as early as possible

The PhD researcher will be working in the project “China's New Silk Road Initiative in North Rhine-Westphalia and Pakistan,” led by Dr Katja Mielke and Professor Conrad Schetter, subject to funding approval by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The research project investigates the implementation of China's New Silk Road Initiative in North Rhine-Westphalia and Pakistan. In Pakistan, the project seeks to understand how local ordering dynamics are influenced by large infrastructure projects, and what role concrete negotiation processes play in this. In Germany (Duisburg/North Rhine-Westphalia), the comparative focus is on the inland port as the end point of the New Silk Road in Europe. The project is part of the research consortium “Local perspectives on transregional processes of entanglements and disentanglements” (partners: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient and BICC).

Your tasks:

• Carrying out qualitative social research in Germany and Pakistan;
• Participation in disciplinary (social science) doctoral course;
• Participation in regular activities of the research consortium, i. e. networking meetings, transfer activities;
• Compilation of full draft of the PhD-thesis within 36 months;
• Co-authoring of at least one journal article and presentation of research insights in academic forums.

Your profile:

• Master (or equivalent) with excellent grades in social sciences (i. e. Sociology, Political Science, Geography, Social and Cultural Anthropology, Development Studies, Peace and Conflict Research, Area Studies) matching the position’s research profile;
• Proven knowledge and experience in research in at least one of the following fields: political sociology/ anthropology, politics of glocal economic interventions, Chinese development policy abroad;
• Strong skills in qualitative research methods, experience with field research techniques;
• Knowledge of China’s economic engagement in South Asia is an asset;
• Research or work experience in the research region is an asset;
• Excellent written and spoken English language skills; additional proficiency in a language spoken in the research region and by research partners (incl. Urdu, Chinese, German) is an asset;
• Eagerness to work in an interdisciplinary team and good communication skills;
• Willingness to travel internationally (field research in Pakistan, China and in Germany).

We offer:

We offer you the opportunity to do research on and write your PhD thesis in a transdisciplinary applied research and advisory institute. Your scope of activity is professionally demanding, multi-faceted and offers a great deal of creative freedom. Your place of work is Bonn.

The position is remunerated according to the collective wage agreement for the public service of the Länder (TV-L) pay scale 13 and also includes the option of a company pension scheme (VBLU). The position is to be filled as soon as possible, for a limited period of three years.

BICC supports the work-life balance of its staff through highly flexible working hours.

We expressly encourage women to apply. In those areas where women are still underrepresented, they will be given preferential consideration in accordance with the legal requirements if they have the same qualification, skills and professional performance as their competitors unless reasons relating to the person of a competitor outweigh this.

We welcome applications by severely disabled persons. This job advertisement is also expressly addressed to people with a migrant background.

Please send your application with a complete set of documents (cover letter, motivation letter, curriculum vitae, proof of qualifications, references, etc.) by email only to Ms Susanna Balkenhol (application@bicc.de) by 28 February 2021. Ms Balkenhol will also be the person to contact should you have any questions about the application process.

Please combine your documents in one pdf file and indicate 2_21 for reference. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications in any other formats. We will also not accept any applications that have been received after the deadline.

By sending in your application, you agree that the required data will be stored as part of the application process.

Publication: 26 January 2021.

bicc \ Internationales Konversionszentrum Bonn \ Bonn International Center for Conversion GmbH
Pfarrer-Byns-Straße 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany, +49 (0)228 911 96-0, bicc@bicc.de, www.bicc.de