The DFG Research Training Group “East Asian Futures: Visions and Realizations on
National, Transregional and Global Scales” (GRK 2833) offers

Two Qualifying Fellowships for MA Students at Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of East Asian Studies

Starting date: 1 October 2024

Target group: students in the MA degree programmes East Asian Studies (Ostasienwissenschaften), Political Sciences / International Political Economy of East Asia, or Sinology, Japanese Studies, Korean Studies (1- or 2-subject programmes)

Scope of the programme

This interdisciplinary research training group conducts research on East Asian projections and conceptions of the future: how they emerged, on what premises they were based, and how they have been and continue to be applied to the paradigmatic fields of (1) language, religion, and ideology, (2) self and society, (3) resources and technology, and (4) sovereignty and governance. The temporal focus is on the modern and contemporary periods.

You are expected

• to attend the seminar “Conceptions of the Future in East Asia: Perspectives on Theories and Methods” in the winter semester 2024/25, and the informal peer teaching seminar in the summer semester 2025
• to participate in the monthly online colloquium, and in all other activities of the RTG
• to assist and cooperate especially with the postdoctoral researcher in textual research, transcriptions, and organization of events (in a range of max. 10 hours/month), while preparing your own MA thesis.

We offer

• A monthly stipend (approximately 900 €) for twelve months
• A stimulating work and study environment within the coordinated research programme “East Asian Futures“.

Your profile

• You hold an above-average Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in a discipline relevant to the chosen project.
• You are in your final stages of graduating with your MA degree, planning your MA thesis and a future academic career.
• Your grade point average is 2.0 or above.
• You are highly motivated to work in an interdisciplinary research environment.
• You have good written and oral skills in English and a good command of at least one East Asian language (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tibetan, classical and/or modern).
• You have a strong interest and initial idea for a MA project in the research programme East Asian Futures, relating to one or several of the four subthemes.

For details of the application process, please visit the GRK 2833 website with the explanation of the documents required for submitting an application.

Required documents:

• Cover letter including a statement of motivation
• CV
• Current proof of enrollment (aktuelle Studienbescheinigung)
• Transcript of records

Relevant dates for applications

Starting date for applications (platform opening): 15 March 2024

Deadline for submitting applications: 15 May 2024

Screening of applications: May/June 2024

Interviews: June/July 2024

Notification on admission: July/August 2024

Upload and contact

Applications should be uploaded via the application platform and be addressed to Prof. Dr. Christine MOLL-MURATA, Speaker of the GRK 2833. For further questions please contact info@east-asian-futures.de.