Postdoctoral researcher

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

YOUR TASKS

• At least 70% of your assignment will be spent on academic research.
• The ERC Advanced Grant project New Polities. Political Thought in the First Millennium studies political thought in the Mediterranean world, starting from the Roman Empire until the Carolingian, Byzantine and Abbasid Empires. It pays close attention to the many religious and political communities of the period, ranging from new states to religious communities (within Judaeism, Christianity, Manicheism and Islam). The project covers sources in many languages, including Hebrew, Middle-Persian and Arabic. 
• Within this framework, you will write a monograph on a topic related to the project’s aims, including (but not limited to) concepts of social relations, utopias, virtue, law, economic thought and the relation between society, nature and the cosmos.
• The monograph will focus primarily on sources in Hebrew, Middle-Persian or Arabic, but a comparative perspective is recommended.
• You contribute to a database of commented passages on first millennium political thought.
• You participate in, and co-organize, team meetings, workshops and conferences.
• You co-supervise one or more PhD students.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a thesis-based doctorate when you will start the position (obtained max. 6 years before the start of the contract. This term of 6 years is determined by the date written on the above-mentioned required diploma) in a relevant domain, including (but not limited to) Jewish Studies, Arabic and Islamic Studies, Classics, History, Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies, and Oriental Studies.
• You have a good track record in research, including publications and participation in conferences.
• You have a very good knowledge of at least one of the relevant languages (Hebrew, Middle-Persian or Arabic). Knowledge of two or more languages and cultures, or a willingness to acquire additional languages (including Latin, Greek, Syriac, Armenian and Georgian), is an advantage.
• You have an interest in working across different traditions and in comparative research.
• You have an interest in engaging with other disciplines, in particular philosophy and the history of political thought.
• Knowledge of Digital Humanities, or a willingness to acquire this, is an advantage.
• Whilst capable of doing independent work, you are also willing to work in a team.
• You have good organizational skills.

 WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of indefinite duration with a maximum term of 3 years.
•  Your contract will start on 1/10/2025 at the earliest.
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1. Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, a bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staffbenefits (in Dutch).

INTERESTED?

Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.

Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field ‘CV’: your CV and an overview of your study results (merged into one pdf file)
• In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format
• In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.
• In the field “other documents”: the names and contact information of three referees; one-page proposal for a monograph; a writing sample (article or chapter, max 10 000 words).

Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vacancy and the project, please contact Prof. Peter Van Nuffelen (Peter.VanNuffelen@UGent.be, +32(0)9/3310175). Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.

Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via selecties@ugent.be or +32 9 264 34 36