[Chern.fsw] Science Silk Road PhD Scholarships - Universiteì Laval

Thu Sep 25 01:50:43 CEST 2025

Dear Colleagues,

I am forwarding a great opportunity for PhD scholarships - please share it
with your students who might be interested!

All the best,
Jelena

*****

[image: universite-laval-vector-logo | HESA]*Two Volkswagen
Foundation-funded PhD Scholarships:*

*China’s Science Silk Road and the New Geopolitics of Knowledge Production*

*Université Laval – Department of Political Science*

*Closing date: November 14, 2025*

As part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has launched the
"Science Silk Road" program, aimed at investing in science, technology and
innovation in countries along this newly envisioned Silk Road. Observers
suggest that the emerging Science Silk Road may be exporting a distinct
form of "Chinese science", potentially giving rise to specific ways of
doing science and alternative structures of the global science
system. However, little is currently known about whether, and how, the
Science Silk Road influences research practices and scientific knowledge
production in BRI countries and globally.

We invite applications for two full-time, 4-year PhD scholarships for an
international research project critically examining the multi-level impacts
of China’s expanding scientific cooperation, with a particular focus
on *environmental
*and *space issues*, starting *September 2026*. These scholarships are open
to candidates of any nationality. They cover full tuition fees and a
competitive stipend, with an estimated total value of C$40,000 per year,
subject to satisfactory progress. There are also additional funds for
research and travel expenses, as well as dedicated workspace.

Funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, this project is a partnership
between Université
Laval <https://www.ulaval.ca/> in Quebec City and the Max Planck Institute
for the History of Science <https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/> (MPIWG) in
Berlin. It aims to conduct one of the first in-depth analyses of the
Science Silk Road, exploring its components, impacts on scientific
knowledge production in BRI countries, and implications for established
science powers and international science alliances. Drawing on
interdisciplinary perspectives from international relations, sociology of
science, science and technology studies (STS), anthropology and geography,
the project will contribute to theoretical and policy debates at the
intersection of science policy and geopolitics in the 21st century.

Successful candidates will be co-supervised by Prof. Hang Zhou
<https://ayozhou915.wixsite.com/hang-zhou> and Prof. Jean-Frédéric Morin
<https://www.chaire-epi.ulaval.ca/en/jean-frederic-morin> at Université
Laval, alongside mentorship from Prof. Han Cheng
<https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/people/hacheng> and Prof. Anna Lisa Ahlers
<https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/people/alahlers> at MPIWG. A graduate
advisory committee will be formed to guide the development of a plan of
work, including coursework and dissertation research. Students will be
expected to work independently, but also work in a team, carving out their
individual contribution within the larger research project.

At Laval, students will be based at the Department of Political Science
<https://www.fss.ulaval.ca/science-politique>, with affiliation to the Graduate
School of International Studies <https://www.esei.ulaval.ca/en> and
the Interdisciplinary
Centre for Research on Global Governance <https://www.cirgom.ulaval.ca/>.
They will have opportunities to spend time at MPIWG’s Lise Meitner Research
Group “China in the Global System of Science”
<https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/research/LMRG-china-science> in Berlin,
and attend the University of Oslo’s PhD course “China and the Future of
Geopolitics”
<https://www.hf.uio.no/ikos/english/research/news-and-events/events/phd/2025/phd-research-course-ikos-nupi-geopol-june-2025.html>
in Oslo. Funding for fieldwork, training, and attending conferences will
also be provided.

*Eligibility & Overview*

Candidates should hold, or expect to attain by the end of the 2025-26
academic year, a Master’s degree with Merit or Distinction in political
science, international relations, sociology, anthropology, geography, or
related disciplines. Candidates should have a strong interest in science
diplomacy, science policy, STS, science and society, science for
development, global governance of science, or international scientific
cooperation. Knowledge of the BRI and Global China Studies is beneficial
but not mandatory.

Candidates may choose to focus on either a global or regional level. A
global focus requires proficiency in mixed methods such as case studies,
interviews, surveys, or data analysis. A regional focus should demonstrate
a strong background in qualitative research, with a preference for
experience in ethnographic fieldwork in Africa or Latin America. Candidates
must be fluent in English or French, both oral and written, with a good
understanding of the other.

*Application process: *Interested applicants should email Prof. Han Cheng
at hacheng at mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de, attaching the following documents:

   - Academic CV.
   - Cover Letter (1 page), outlining your motivations to enroll in a PhD
   program and how your past experiences and training have prepared you to
   conduct a PhD thesis.
   - Copy of academic transcripts, including a list of courses.
   - Research proposal (3 pages), including research questions, theoretical
   framework, methodology, and references.

At a later stage, a formal application will be required through Université
Laval. For more information on the PhD program and application process,
please visit:
https://www.ulaval.ca/etudes/programmes/doctorat-en-science-politique#section-admissibilite
.

[image: A panoramic view of Chateau Frontenac surrounded by greenery in Old
Quebec, Canada at sunrise]

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