Four-year PhD fellowship in Chinese Studies sponsored by the Hulsewé-Wazniewski Foundation

Four-year PhD fellowship in Chinese Studies sponsored by the Hulsewé-Wazniewski Foundation

Where you will work
Since its founding in 1575, Leiden University has built an international reputation for excellence in education and research. With over 800 staff members, the Faculty of Humanities offers 26 bachelor's and 27 master's programs to more than 7,200 students at locations in the historic city center of Leiden and in The Hague.

The Leiden Institute for Area Studies (LIAS) comprises the School of Asian Studies, the School of Middle Eastern Studies, and the School of Religious Studies. The institute is committed to a contemporary approach to Area Studies, integrating disciplinary and regional-historical perspectives with a strong foundation in advanced language proficiency. LIAS faculty members bring expertise in a wide range of fields, including Anthropology, Archaeology, Art History, Buddhist Studies, Film Studies, History, International Relations, Language Pedagogy, Law, Linguistics, Literary Studies, Material Culture Studies, Performing Arts, Philology, Philosophy, Political Economy, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Visual Culture Studies.

What you will do
The HWS PhD fellow will conduct original research toward the writing of a PhD dissertation on a topic with clear relevance to the mission of HWS and contribute to the organisation of related events and activities. In addition, they may be given a temporary appointment at the University to design and teach an undergraduate course in the general area of their interest.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field. Candidates near completion of the degree will be considered.
• An excellent command of English.

What we offer
The HWS PhD fellowship entails funding to a maximum total of EUR 127.000 across four years, in six-monthly instalments rising from EUR 14.000 for the first 6-month period to EUR 18.000 for the last 6-month period. Payments will be made by HWS directly to the fellow. In addition, HWS will consider funding the fellow’s abovementioned temporary teaching appointment at the University.

The awarding of the fellowship is contingent upon nomination by the search committee and admission of the nominee to the Humanities Graduate School by the management team of the Leiden University Insitute for Area Studies (LIAS).

What we find important
Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.

Information
Queries to Maghiel van Crevel, secretary to the HWS board, at m.van.crevel@hum.leidenuniv.nl.

Applications
Applications must be received by 1 March 2026. Applications should be in English with the items listed below included in this order in a single PDF document named ‘FAMILY NAME – Given name’:

• A CV including education and employment history, proficiency in the relevant source languages and research languages, publications, and any other relevant information.
• A one-page letter of motivation.
• A research proposal with clear relevance to the Foundation’s mission, accompanied by an annotated sample bibliography. For guidelines on the proposal, see https://edu.nl/r67er
• A writing sample in English.
• Names, positions and email addresses of two referees (no reference letters).