Postdoctoral Fellow in History

Ghent University

Last application date:
March 31, 2026 (23:59)

Department:
LW03 – Department of History

Degree:
MA degree

Occupancy rate:
100%

Vacancy type:
Research staff

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 85 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.

Project Background

The Department of History at Ghent University is looking for three PhD students (four years) to conduct interdisciplinary research on biodiversity in Northern Europe during the Late Middle Ages (15th–16th centuries) as part of the ERC research team ECOLENT.

The ERC-funded project Ecological Entanglements and Biodiversity in Late Medieval Northern Europe, 1400–1600 (ECOLENT) develops a new conceptual-methodological framework to study biodiversity in a historical context, using the late medieval Hanseatic League as a case study.

Rather than focusing on human activities per se, the project examines how biotic communities responded to anthropogenic pressures. It studies the impact of socio-economic pressures generated by the Hanseatic trade network on animal and plant diversity in six regions between 1400 and 1600, using both historical and archaeological sources:

  • County of Flanders

  • Duchy of Guelders

  • Duchy of Schleswig

  • Duchies of Brunswick-Lüneburg

  • East Prussia

  • Kraków Voivodeship

The project engages with current debates in ecological conservation, including historical baselines, human influence on biodiversity, and questions of adaptation and ecological niches. The successful candidate is encouraged to actively disseminate research results to academic and non-academic stakeholders.

Your Tasks

  • Study biodiversity in one of the six regions listed above

  • Identify wild animals and plants in:

    • Printed sources (e.g. medieval financial accounts, early botanical works)

    • Archaeological reports

    • Unpublished handwritten archival sources

  • Define the exact research scope jointly with the project’s principal investigator

  • Conduct research abroad (Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and/or Poland, depending on region)

  • Analyse data on wild fauna and flora in their ecological and historical context

  • Publish results in international peer-reviewed journals (single- or co-authored)

  • Contribute to building an international research network on the history of biodiversity

  • Help disseminate results to non-academic stakeholders

  • Work as part of a team while developing an independent research voice in the PhD thesis

Main place of employment:
Ghent University, History Department, Campus UFO, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium

What We Are Looking For

  • MA degree in History, Archaeology, or the Life Sciences

  • Experience working with handwritten late medieval or early modern sources

  • Knowledge of historical ecology and/or environmental archaeology (recommended)

  • Ability to work independently and in a team

  • Excellent knowledge of English

  • Good passive knowledge (reading) of relevant languages, depending on region:

    • Flanders & Guelders: Dutch, French, Latin

    • Brunswick-Lüneburg: German, Latin

    • Schleswig: German, Danish, Latin

    • East Prussia: German, Latin

    • Kraków Voivodeship: Polish, Latin

What We Can Offer You

  • Full-time doctoral fellowship:

    • Initial 12 months, extendable to a maximum of 48 months after positive evaluation

  • Preferred starting date: October 1, 2026

  • Possibility of an interdisciplinary PhD (history & archaeology / biology / bio-engineering)

  • PhD thesis language: English or Dutch

    • Other languages (e.g. German or French) possible with Faculty Council approval

  • Interdisciplinary and international research environment

  • Opportunity to develop a new methodology for studying historical biodiversity

  • Training opportunities via Ghent University and/or the Posthumus Institute

  • Fellowship amount:

    • 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances

    • Tax-free under doctoral fellowship regulations

  • Staff benefits including:

    • 36 days of annual leave (full-time)

    • Fixed bridge days

    • Bicycle allowance

    • Eco vouchers

    • Training and education opportunities

Interested?

Send the following documents before March 31, 2026 to Dr. Sander Govaerts (sander.govaerts@ugent.be):

  • CV

  • Copy of MA degree

  • Motivation letter

Important notes:

  • Clearly state the region you wish to focus on in your motivation letter

  • Mention explicitly if you are interested in an interdisciplinary PhD

  • Selected candidates will be invited for online interviews (Microsoft Teams) in May 2026

For further information, please contact sander.govaerts@ugent.be.

Ghent University has a diversity and equal opportunity policy and encourages everyone to apply.

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