Post Doctoral Position: Research Associate in Chinese International Investments – King’s College London

The Lau China Institute in the School of Global Affairs at King’s College, London, exists to conduct research on contemporary China, education (through a successful MSc China and Globalisation degree and over 30 doctoral students) and outreach. It has six academic staff, an international network of collaborations, and undertakes extensive public engagement.

It is now seeking to expand its work and wishes to appoint a postdoctoral research associate for two years in the field of Chinese international investments. A main focus of the role should be on the business and/or political economy dimensions of Chinese outward investments in other parts of the world. Applicants with a specific interest in the impact of Chinese outward foreign direct investments on the Chinese home economy or the political and national security implications of Chinese foreign direct investments in host countries would be especially welcome to apply.

Applicants must hold a doctorate in International Development, International Business, International Economics, International Political Economy, Area Studies or a cognate discipline, with a focus on foreign investment and multinational enterprises. The applicant should have sufficient knowledge and theoretical background on foreign investment and the international operations of multinational enterprises to develop related research proposals and contribute teaching on these topics. They must have an active research agenda, and familiarity with the existing literature and research in the field of foreign investment, preferably with a focus on China. They would need to articulate a strategy during their two years in the position of publishing, teaching and being able to identify, and then apply for, further research funds.

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 2 years.

Key responsibilities

• Engage in independent and collaborative research to be published as articles, books, and other forms of outputs
• Supervise MSc dissertations in the Lau China Institute
• Contribute teaching to the postgraduate module on Chinese International Investments at the Lau China Institute
• Lead doctoral and master’s seminars in the Lau China Institute
• Identify, and seek to apply for, further research funding
• Contribute to the intellectual life of the department
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings