三个博士后研究员职位：后增长怀旧研究，越南和菲律宾

ERC Starting Grant PENEA, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium As East Asian societies reach the multifaceted human and ecological limits of their miraculous development, do East Asian citizens long for their pre-developmental past, and do they mobilise for post-growth futures on this nostalgic basis? These are the urgent questions addressed by the ERC Starting Grant project PENEA (Longing for an economic past? Political economic nostalgia in East Asian societies; 2026–2031), led by Professor Juliette Schwak at the Université libre de Bruxelles. PENEA is the first systematic, interdisciplinary and comparative study to identify political economic nostalgia in East Asian societies today and to analyse how East Asians react to rapid development. Combining sociology and political economy, the project has three main objectives: (1) documenting expressions of nostalgia among East Asian citizens; (2) conceptualising these forms of nostalgia; and (3) analysing if and how nostalgia becomes a source of mobilisation in East Asia. The project brings together case studies from high-income late-industrialisers (Japan and South Korea), middle-income Communist states (China and Vietnam), and fast-growing lower-middle-income states (the Philippines and Cambodia). It combines traditional and social media analysis, surveys, interviews, participant observation, and discourse analysis of textual and visual documents. To contribute to the China, Vietnam and the Philippines case studies, Professor Juliette Schwak invites applications for three full-time postdoctoral researchers, one working primarily on China, one on Vietnam and one on the Philippines. The positions are based at the Université libre de Bruxelles, where the postdoctoral researchers will join the PENEA research team and the Department of Political Science, with affiliation to an appropriate research centre and to the Centre for East Asian Studies at the Institute for Critical Area Studies of ULB. The expected starting date is April 2027. Your role The two postdoctoral researchers will conduct the China, Vietnam and the Philippines case studies of PENEA, respectively, while contributing actively to the project's comparative and theoretical objectives. Working in close collaboration with the Principal Investigator and the other PENEA researchers, the postdoctoral researchers will: • Develop and conduct the China, Vietnam or the Philippines case study, including substantial fieldwork and multi-method empirical research; • Contribute to PENEA’s conceptual, theoretical and comparative research; • Analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data; • Publish research findings and contribute to the project’s collective outputs, including a special issue and edited volume; • Present research at conferences, workshops and seminars; • Collaborate closely with the PENEA team, sharing data, analyses and ideas; • Contribute to team meetings, academic events, dissemination and other project activities. The positions offer substantial scope for developing an independent research profile within the intellectual framework of PENEA. Postdoctoral researchers will be encouraged to develop their own publication agenda alongside their contributions to the collective outputs of the project. Your profile We welcome applications from candidates trained in a range of relevant disciplines, including political science, sociology, anthropology, geography, history, Asian studies, political economy, development studies, or related fields. Applicants should have: • a PhD in a discipline relevant to the project; • a strong research record and demonstrated capacity to conduct independent academic research; • substantial fieldwork experience in China, Vietnam or the Philippines, depending on the position applied for; • the linguistic skills necessary to conduct fieldwork and research in the relevant country; • excellent command of written and spoken English; • strong analytical, writing and presentation skills; • experience with qualitative and/or mixed research methods relevant to the project; • a strong interest in contemporary East Asian societies, political economy, development and/or post-growth transformations; • the ability to work independently while also contributing actively to a collaborative, interdisciplinary research team; • strong organisational skills and the ability to manage research activities, fieldwork and publication deadlines; • strong intercultural communication skills and a collaborative and open approach to research. Experience with media analysis, discourse analysis, interviews, participant observation, surveys or other relevant empirical methods will be considered an asset. Eligibility requirements In addition to the profile above, candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements: • The PhD must have been awarded no more than 8 years before the first date of the grant/fellowship award, subject to the applicable ERC/ULB eligibility rules. • Candidates must satisfy the applicable international mobility requirement, namely be able to demonstrate a stay abroad of at least 12 months during the 36 months preceding the first date of the award. • Candidates must both be willing and able to legally reside in Belgium for the duration of the appointment, except during periods of approved fieldwork and other research-related travel and are expected to regularly attend the university in-person. Candidates should indicate clearly in their application which position they are applying for: China or Vietnam or the Philippines. What we offer • A full-time (100%) postdoctoral research position for a period of 24 months, fully funded through the ERC Starting Grant PENEA. • Guaranteed two-year funding, with the opportunity—subject to satisfactory performance—to apply for a three-year F.R.S.-FNRS Chargé de Recherches (CR) postdoctoral fellowship with full PI sponsorship to extend your stay. • A position at the Université libre de Bruxelles, in an international and interdisciplinary research environment. • A shared office in Brussels and integration into the PENEA research team. • Generous research funding for fieldwork, conference participation and other research-related travel. • Time and resources dedicated to developing a strong publication record. • Opportunities to collaborate with international scholars, project advisors and research partners. • Regular interaction and intellectual exchange with the PI and the other PENEA researchers. • Access to career development and research training opportunities at ULB. • Belgian social security coverage, in accordance with the applicable rules and depending on nationality/status. • A stimulating interdisciplinary environment combining political science, sociology, political economy and East Asian studies. Application procedure Interested candidates should submit their application in English and in PDF format to by December 1 at 23:59 (Brussels time). Applications should include: • A motivation letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining your interest in the position, your fit with the PENEA project, and the relevance of your previous research and fieldwork experience. Please specify whether you are applying for the China or Vietnam position. • A curriculum vitae, including education, employment history, publications, fieldwork experience, language skills, methodological expertise and any other information relevant to the position. • A copy of your PhD certificate. Candidates whose PhD has been awarded recently should also indicate the date of award. • One academic writing sample in English, preferably a published article, dissertation chapter, or other substantial piece of academic research. • The contact details of two referees who have agreed to provide recommendation letters. Pre-selected candidates will be invited to an online interview and asked to submit a research proposal. Please note that the PI reserves herself the right not to select any candidate following this call if no relevant profile matches the project’s needs. Questions? For questions concerning the content of the positions and the PENEA project, please contact: Professor Juliette Schwak Université libre de Bruxelles