Postdoctoral Fellow (Chinese Political Thought)

Nanyang Technological University Singapore; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NTU Singapore invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the project 1980: The Global Electoral Moment — China and Beyond, hosted by the Public Policy and Global Affairs Programme (PPGA).

The Fellow will conduct archival and textual research on modern and contemporary Chinese political thought, develop an independent research agenda, contribute to publications and working papers, and participate in project events and PPGA activities.

Qualifications

• PhD in Political Theory, Intellectual History, or a relevant field.
• Strong archival research skills and facility with handwritten Chinese sources.
• Ability to engage with comparative/global frameworks in Chinese political institutions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct archival and textual research on modern and contemporary Chinese political thought, with attention to Chinese-language sources.
• Develop an independent research agenda aligned with electoral politics and intellectual history.
• Contribute to peer‑reviewed publications, working papers, and project reports.
• Assist in organizing project-related academic events, workshops, conferences, and speaker series.
• Participate in the intellectual life of the PPGA at NTU.
• Support grant-related administrative tasks and research documentation.

Skills

Chinese language proficiency

Archival research

Textual analysis

Education

PhD in Political Theory or Intellectual History

Job description

The School of Social Sciences at NTU Singapore is part of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CoHASS), which promotes interdisciplinary research and teaching across the full range of social science disciplines. Ranked among the world’s top universities, NTU combines rigorous scholarship with an orientation toward addressing major societal challenges.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will join the research project 1980: The Global Electoral Moment — China and Beyond, hosted at the Public Policy and Global Affairs Programme (PPGA) and led by Nanyang Assistant Professor Simon Sihang Luo. The project examines the lived experience of electoral founding moments in China and beyond, with attention to the political sentiments, institutional visions, and ideological contests they generated. The Fellow will conduct original archival and textual research on modern and contemporary Chinese political thought, develop an independent research agenda within the project’s broader themes, and contribute to collaborative publications and working papers. The role also involves participation in project‑related academic events and the broader intellectual life of the PPGA.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct original archival and textual research on modern and contemporary Chinese political thought, with particular attention to Chinese‑language primary sources
• Develop and advance an independent research agenda aligned with the project’s themes of electoral politics, institutional imagination, and intellectual history
• Contribute to collaborative research outputs, including peer‑reviewed publications, working papers, and project reports
• Assist in the organisation of project‑related academic events, including workshops, conferences, and invited speaker series
• Participate actively in the intellectual life of the Public Policy and Global Affairs Programme (PPGA) at NTU
• Support grant‑related administrative tasks and research documentation as required

Job Requirements

• PhD in Political Theory, Intellectual History, or a relevant field, with a focus on Chinese political thought
• Strong research record commensurate with career stage
• Native or full professional proficiency in Chinese – essential for data analysis and communication with stakeholders
• Demonstrated expertise in archival research, including facility with handwritten Chinese‑language primary sources
• Ability to engage with comparative and global frameworks in the study of Chinese political institutions

Interested applicants are to apply online with your CV and Cover Letter.

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Hiring Institution: NTU