Fellowships Description: The research training group Risk and East Asia offers seven doctoral stipends of 1000 Euro/month for a duration of three years, contingent on successful completion of the first year. Doctoral candidates are expected to develop a doctoral research project in one of the four sub-themes of the program. The doctoral degree is awarded by one of the affiliated faculties in sociology, political science or economics.
To support field research in East Asia and early entry into the European scientific community, support is also provided for travel and research in either Japan or China, and for a range of workshops and independent conference participation in Europe, especially with the UK Partner White Rose East Asian Centre at the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield. There is no separate funding application, because all admitted applicants receive a stipend. Tuition fees are waived for doctoral students, though candidates are required to pay an administrative fee of about 150 Euros per semester, which includes a train pass for the entire federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Requirments:
- An excellent MA degree (or national equivalents) in either Sociology, Political Science/International Relations, Economics or Social/Economic Geography or in East Asian Regional Studies with a clear social scientific or economics component.
- Applicants are expected to document advanced language competence in either Japanese or Chinese.
- The MA degree must be completed by the end of July of the year of application. Awards will be made pending completion of MA degrees.
- Risk in East Asia is an English language doctoral program. We require evidence of English language proficiency.
How to Apply:
There is no standardized application form. All applications will be reviewed by the Speaker of the research training group together with the relevant participating scientists. All applicants are requested to submit the documents described below. All documents should be sent electronically (with the exception of letters of recommendation). Applicants advancing to the final selection phase will be required to submit all official documents by post.
- A complete c.v. including date of birth, nationality, a color photo, postal address, email address and telephone number, all valid through August of the application year.
- Copies of official transcripts documenting all degrees awarded (BA, MA) and courses completed as part of these degrees.
- Evidence of language proficiency in English and either Japanese or Chinese.
- Cover letter including a statement of purpose and brief statement of career perspectives, especially in respect to how your interests fit in with the Research Training Group (no longer than 2 pages!)
- Preliminary Dissertation Proposal (5–7 pages double spaced), with the following elements:
- Identification of a research topic in the state of research in one of the disciplinary areas of the research training group
- Alignment with one of the sub-themes of the research program
- Country focus supported by language competence
- Preliminary research design, with a specific statement of methods proposed and the possible role of a research residency in East Asia
- Bibliography (no longer than 1 page)
- Two recent letters of recommendation should be sent separately by persons qualified to evaluate your academic and professional qualifications, familiar with your academic record, language competencies and prior experience in East Asia or other research contexts, and who are able to assess your success in the research training group. At least one of the letters must be from a university professor who has instructed you. The recommendation letters must be submitted by the application deadline.
- Applicants may also submit the results of a Graduate Record Examination in support of their applications.
Send Applications to:
BY MARCH 15
Inquiries may be directed to:
Ms. Uta Golze, Coordinator
Institute of East Asian Studies
University of Duisburg-Essen
Campus Duisburg
47048 Duisburg
Germany
Tel: +49 203 379 2249
Fax: +49 203 379 8157
