The Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies is an inter-faculty interdisciplinary research centre of excellence of the Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Leuven which conducts research in relation to globalization, governance processes and multilateralism. The Research Group for Japanese Studies focuses on multidisciplinary research with particular interest for contemporary Japanese law, politics and society from the perspective of area studies.

Project

GGS and Research Group for Japanese Studies are looking for a dynamic and motivated full-time doctoral researcher to pursue a PhD in relations in the context of a new ambitious interdisciplinary research project, CONNECTIVITY, on "connectivity, contestation and cooperation in global governance". Bringing together many scholars from a diversity of disciplinary backgrounds in the humanities and social sciences, the programme offers a timely assessment of how differences between prominent States' conceptualisation of international norms impact upon cooperation in the international system. CONNECTIVITY's ultimate ambition is to generate novel insights into how international cooperation may be best fostered amidst the crisis of the current global order. CONNECTIVITY will generate (i) a fundamental re-thinking of theories that are built on the assumption of globally accepted values, including a critical reflection of current Western-centred conceptualisations of foreign policy and international law; (ii) new essential knowledge on the impact of different views on international law and international relations; and (iii) key insights aimed at finding new common ground to foster international cooperation. More information can be found here.

Profile

• You have a Master's degree and have studied at multiple universities.
• You have a strong and demonstrable interest in sociology of law (focus on constitutional law) or in the political economy (focus on mega free trade agreements) with regard to Japan.
• You have excellent analytical and writing skills.
• You are able to organize your own research activities while working as part of a research group; you are able to handle various tasks at the same time while keeping strict deadlines.
• You are capable to operate in a multicultural research project and have experience in collaborating in multicultural teams.
• You are resistant to stress and have an inquisitive mind.
• You master English in an excellent manner. Your Japanese language skills are at least at N1 level.
• You have studied abroad at a leading university for one or more years.
• You have excellent study results (you must at least have graduated in the top 5% of your class)

Offer

• You pursue a PhD in the field of area studies (Japanese studies) on contemporary Japan with a methodological focus on sociology of law (focus on constitutional law) or on the political economy (focus on mega free trade agreements).
• You build up research expertise within a particular research area that will be chosen in close consultation with your main promoter.
• You share your expertise and research results within and outside KU Leuven.
• You pay attention to the valorization of research results at the academic level or in society.
• You publish research results in academic journals.
• You take initiatives, together with other colleagues, in order to make your research unit a dynamic research environment.
• You are keen to establish a good cooperation and understanding with other research centres and institutes within and outside KU Leuven.
• You are employed in a dynamic, international and growing research environment and contribute to its current and future research activities.

Interested?

For more information, please contact Prof. Dr. Dimitri Vanoverbeke (Dimitri.Vanoverbeke@kuleuven.be)

Applications must be received no later than 5 August 2018 (5 pm CET).

KU Leuven carries out an equal opportunity and diversity policy.

You can apply for this job no later than August 05, 2018 via the online application tool

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.