China’s Law-Based Governance

We are looking for a PhD candidate to work on an Australian Research Council (ARC) funded Discovery Project led by Professor Sue Trevaskes and Associate Professor Delia Lin. The goal of the project titled “China’s Law-Based Governance” is to examine political-legal ideology and how it is effecting change in China’s law-based governance system. The project will build Australia’s knowledge base and research capacity in the area of socio-legal studies and China studies. The PhD candidate will play an important role in achieving the project’s aims. The PhD research will focus on discourse analysis of Chinese-language texts on law-based governance.

The PhD candidate is expected to have a high level of proficiency in Chinese and a strong knowledge or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of China’s legal and governance systems. An in-depth understanding of Chinese politics would be advantageous. The PhD candidate will have the unique opportunity of working as part of a leading team of ARC-funded researchers who have established international profiles in Chinese law, governance and political discourse. The candidate will work with the project team to develop a competitive track record of publications and other research outputs.

The successful candidate will be based at Nathan campus.

Scholarship details

Griffith University has one of the largest and most productive, criminology research communities in the world. Under the Griffith Criminology Institute (GCI) criminology scholars create knowledge on the causes, nature, responses to and prevention of crime and associated disadvantage. GCI members are undertaking cutting edge research to address a range of key crime challenges for society including preventing violence, breaking cycles of crime and inequality, enhancing security, transforming justice and reducing Indigenous inequalities.

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. Applicants must have excellent writing abilities and be able to work effectively within a multidisciplinary research team. Applicants will require a high level of proficiency in both Chinese and English with a research background in Chinese Law essential. Experience in analysing Chinese criminal or civil cases will also be highly regarded.

Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure. For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here.
A research background in Chinese law (research masters or honours thesis on Chinese law) and experience analysing Chinese criminal or civil cases.

International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS (Academic) with no band score less than 6.0 OR
A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL including a score of no less than 5.0 on the TWE OR
A score of 79 on the internet-based (iBT) TOEFL with no sub-score less than 19

The 2024 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $33,480 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we have worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply.

Our vibrant cohort of PhD and research candidates play an important role in the research efforts of the Griffith Criminology Institute. Projects are closely aligned with the Institute's research programs, informed by world-class research and supported by the experience of experts in multidisciplinary criminology fields. This means that as a Griffith graduate, you will be ideally positioned to take advantage of new and exciting opportunities. As part of your candidature you will benefit from our close links with partner organisations as we work to apply research for real world outcomes. Our PhD alumni go on to influential positions in industry, as well as successful academic careers.

For project related enquiries please contact:

Professor Sue Trevaskes

Phone: (07) 3735 5152

Email: s.trevaskes@griffith.edu.au

For administration enquiries please contact:

Griffith Graduate Research School

Email: hdr-scholarship@griffith.edu.au

Please do not select the “APPLY” button.

Interested applicants should, firstly, contact Professor Sue Trevaskes Phone: (07) 3735 5152 to discuss the scholarship and suitability. Approved applicants will then be encouraged to submit an expression of interest (EoI) containing:

Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship
Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section
A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template.
Names of two referees

The closing date for expressions of interest is: 11:59pm Friday 26 January 2024

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line