Situating Independent Chinese Architects in Modern China

Requirements:
The candidate should have a first class or upper second class honours degree, or a master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) in Architecture, Urban Studies, History, Heritage Studies or other relevant disciplines. Evidence of good spoken and written English is essential. The candidate should have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, or an equivalent qualification, if the first language is not English. This position is open to all qualified candidates irrespective of nationality.

This exciting opportunity will suit a top research candidate who have knowledge in architectural history, and some real-life experience in large-scale design institute or small-scale architectural firm. Capacity to work with both visual and textual material is essential.

Degree:
The student will be awarded a PhD degree from the University of Liverpool (UK) upon successful completion of the program.

Funding:
The PhD studentship is available for three years subject to satisfactory progress by the student. The award covers tuition fees for three years (currently equivalent to RMB 80,000 per annum) and provides a monthly stipend of 3500 RMB as a contribution to living expenses. It also provides up to RMB 16,500 to allow participation at international conferences during the period of the award. It is a condition of the award that holders of XJTLU PhD scholarships carry out 300-500 hours of teaching assistance work per year. The scholarship holder is expected to carry out the major part of his or her research at XJTLU in Suzhou, China. However, he or she is eligible for a research study visit to the University of Liverpool of up to three months, if this is required by the project.

Project Description:
This project will identify the role and significance of independent architects from the early twentieth century through the post-Mao reform era. The Doctoral study will focus on an historical comparative research based on the two periods, the first one at the beginning of the 20th century with the origins of the liberal profession of architects in Modern China, and the second one after the 1990s to be considered as a period of re-emergence of private independent architects.

With a focus on the architects’ recognition of being independent, and the various business models developed aimed at furthering this ambition, this project aims to investigate the changing interplay, on the one hand, between the architectural profession and the state, and on the other, between the profession and the market. This double take will chiefly assess whether the recognition of architects as “being independent” has changed and whether their business models have come to accommodate the approaches of private practice and self-promotion. The analysis of independent architects and their works will be anchored within the broader political, economic, and social context, as well considering those institutions that have affected the profession.

For more information about doctoral scholarship and PhD programme at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU): Please visit
http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/admissions/phd.html

http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/admissions/phd/feesscholarships.html

How to Apply:
Interested applicants are advised to email Pierre Alain [Email Address Removed] and [Email Address Removed] the following documents and copy [Email Address Removed] (please put the project title in the subject line).
• CV
• Two reference letters
• Personal statement outlining your interest in the position
• Proof of English language proficiency (an IELTS score of above 6.5 or equivalent is required
• Verified school transcripts in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required)
• Verified certificates of education qualifications in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required)

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Pierre Alain [Email Address Removed] and Dr. Jiawen Han [Email Address Removed] , whose personal profile is linked below,
http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/departments/academic-departments/architecture/staff/pierre-croset
http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/departments/academic-departments/architecture/staff/jiawen-han