Fellowship in the Research Programme “Foreign Relations”
Focus: Geoeconomics & International Security
The Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) is a research and analysis institute established in 2013 and based in Berlin. MERICS conducts independent, practical and policy-oriented research on China. MERICS provides the public with insight into China through up-to-date research and communication. It informs decision-makers in politics, business and society and acts as a key contact for the media. MERICS is an initiative of Stiftung Mercator, a major private European foundation.
In the context of China’s foreign policy ambitions substantially stepping up under President Xi, this research programme analyses drivers and outcomes of China’s global foreign economic and security policy. This programme pays particular attention to the role of domestic developments, as well as the interplay of economic and security factors in explaining China’s current foreign relations.
Foreign Relations | Geoeconomics and International Security
There has never been a period in which China’s diplomats were more active on the global stage. Under President Xi, the Chinese leadership has substantially stepped up its foreign policy ambitions, heavily expanding the scope of its activities in the region and its global reach. By altering long-standing traditions of relative restraint and adjusting key foreign policy priorities, Beijing is engineering a new course in global affairs.
This programme analyses drivers and outcomes of China’s global foreign economic and security policy. It pays particular attention to the role of domestic developments, as well as the interplay of economic and security factors in explaining China’s current foreign relations.
China’s rapid rise in the global economy, its geoeconomic force and evolving security posture raise fundamental questions, not only for the West: How can this new centre of power continue to be integrated into international rules and responsibilities? What are the risks of cooperation, and what new opportunities does it offer? How do domestic developments such as the progressive internationalisation of the economy and society influence China’s foreign policy? What are direct and indirect impacts on Germany and Europe?
The list of recent policy successes is long and the sheer weight of China’s growing economic, diplomatic and military capabilities will continue to deepen its global footprint with far-reaching consequences for the world order and our everyday lives. Yet there are fundamental challenges to China’s expanding role including the strong counterforces of international competition and rising security tensions as well as frictions in its domestic development path.
China is turning into a precarious global power as it confronts an increasingly complex international risk map while enduring the most challenging period of its domestic economic transformation for decades. Crucially, the way in which the PRC leadership translates and exports domestic policy approaches to the international realm will prove the ultimate test of its aspirations to global leadership.
MERICS is looking for internationally outstanding scholars and experts:
- With exceptional expertise on geoeconomics or international security
- Preferably for short-term fellowships (between two and three months), in well-justified special cases for long-term fellowships (between four and twelve months).
Application process:
- Flexible
- Applications may be submitted anytime
- A decision on the granting of the fellowship can be expected approximately four weeks after submission of the application
What to expect as a MERICS-fellow:
- Close cooperation with a professional research team
- Individual research adviser at MERICS
- Active participation in scientific publications
- Active involvement in events and workshops, both internal and external
- An outstanding research location and a high-class global research network
- Lively scientific exchange in an international environment
- Individual full-service support before and during the entire stay in Germany
If you have exceptional expertise on geoeconomics or international security based on years of research and/or professional experience, and if you are willing to share and deepen it in cooperation with MERICS, we welcome you to apply. With your experience, you will contribute actively to the independent research work of one of the largest international research institutes on contemporary China.
Please send your application documents (#1: letter of motivation (2-3 pages) referring explicitly to the respective MERICS research programme; #2: Curriculum Vitae; #3: list of publications or list of equivalent analytical qualifications based on professional experience) to Marie Hoffmann: marie.hoffmann(at)merics.de.
You can learn more information about the application requirements in the MERICS Fellowship Programme Guidelines here (PDF).
For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.