Research Associate in History of Sino-African Relations

Project Title: Competing Socialisms and African Agency: The Sino-Soviet Rivalry in Tanzania during the Cold War, 1950s–1990

Full-time, Fixed Term starting on 1 October 2025 until 30 September 2027.

The School of Social Sciences and Humanities are seeking to appoint a Research Associate for the project entitled ‘Competing Socialisms and African Agency: The Sino-Soviet Rivalry in Tanzania during the Cold War, 1950s–1990’. The project examines the competition between the Soviet and Chinese models of socialism in Africa. It uses Tanzania as a case study to examine the connection between global and local factors, analyse tangible interactions "on the ground" and highlighting the agency of African actors and their ability to navigate between the two socialist powers and use them to their own ends.

This AHRC- and DFG-funded project is led by Dr Thoralf Klein at Loughborough University, with PD Dr Kirsten Bönker (Northeast Institute, Lüneburg/Germany) and Dr Andrea Azizi Kifyasi (University of Dar es Salaam) as international project co-leads.

The successful candidate will work on an independent sub-project, carry out archival research in China, Tanzania and other countries as well as conduct interviews where applicable. They will also assist the team with their research, contribute to the organisation of project meetings and a workshop and conference as appropriate, and disseminate their findings both independently and in collaboration with other team members.

They should have experience researching in Chinese archives, be fluent in Chinese (both in speech and writing) and should be willing to undertake archival research in Tanzania.

For more information refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

Further information on International Relations, Politics & History can be found here: International Relations, Politics and History | Loughborough University.

Informal enquiries should be made by email to Dr Thoralf Klein, Reader in Chinese and Global History at Loughborough University: T.E.Klein@lboro.ac.uk.

Closing date for receipt of applications: Tuesday, 20 May 2025.

Interviews will be held week beginning 16 June 2025.

Loughborough University is committed to achieving equality and valuing diversity in all aspects of employment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

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