Postdoctoral Scholarship in Literature

University of Antwerp

Department: Department of Literature
Regime: Full-time

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The Department of Literature in the Faculty of Arts is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of children’s literature studies.

Position

  • You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD dissertation on “Scenes of friendship in German and English children’s literature.”

  • Friendship is a central theme in children’s literature, with many famous friends populating both classics and contemporary titles. Despite its omnipresence, a systematic exploration of friendship in children’s books is currently lacking.

  • Starting in sociology, friendship studies has only recently emerged as a vibrant field in cultural studies, with key publications by Barbara Caine (2009), Alexander Nehamas (2010), and Andree Michaelis-König (2023).

  • In times of polarization, the ability to foster meaningful and reciprocal human connections, overcome differences, and resolve conflicts gains particular pedagogical importance.

  • This doctoral project draws on friendship studies to analyse how friendship is practiced in selected English and German children’s books.

  • Using narrative analysis, close reading, and discourse analysis, the project addresses questions such as:

    • How is friendship practiced in children’s literature?

    • Who becomes friends with whom?

    • How do age, gender, race, class, and religion influence friendships?

    • How are differences negotiated and conflicts resolved?

    • What contextual factors (space, adults, historical period, national context, genre, age range, etc.) influence fictional friendships?

    • What function does friendship have for characters, plot, and the implied reader?

  • The focus on “scenes of friendship” responds to a broader need to attend to notions of entanglement, co-dependency, and living networks (Fuchs & Cosgrove 2024).

  • The project contributes to increased attention to relationality in philosophy, education, and literary studies.

  • You will publish peer-reviewed articles and present conference papers related to the research project.

  • You will also carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the Department of Literature in English and German Literature.

Profile

  • You hold a Master’s degree in German and/or English Literature or a related field (or will have obtained it by the time you start work).

  • Preferably, you have experience in children’s literature studies.

  • You can demonstrate excellent study results.

  • Your teaching competences align with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.

  • Your research qualities align with faculty and university research policies.

  • You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity, and cooperation.

  • You are highly proficient in English and German (reading, writing, speaking).

  • You work effectively in a team and balance independent and collaborative work.

What We Offer

  • A doctoral scholarship for a period of two years, renewable once for another two years after positive evaluation.

  • Planned start date: 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

  • Monthly scholarship amount according to doctoral scholarship regulations.

  • Ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and bicycle allowance or full reimbursement of public transport costs.

  • Access to courses and training through the Antwerp Doctoral School.

  • Workplace at the University of Antwerp city campus (Stadscampus) in a dynamic and stimulating environment.

  • More information about working at the University of Antwerp is available via official channels.

Want to Apply?

Applications must be submitted via the University of Antwerp online application platform by 10 August 2026 (midnight Brussels time).

Required Documents

  • Motivation letter in English (max. 1500 words)

  • Academic CV (English or German), including:

    • Educational background

    • Academic experience (teaching, certificates, etc.)

    • Experience abroad

    • Publications and/or presentations

    • Prizes, honours, achievements

    • Language skills

  • Writing sample (academic paper or Master’s thesis excerpt; max. 6000 words excluding bibliography; English or German)

  • Names and contact details of up to 3 referees

Selection Procedure

The selection committee reviews applications after the deadline. Selected candidates will be informed of next steps. Interviews will take place on 26 August.

Contact Information

For job-related questions, contact:

  • Prof. Andree Michaelis-König

  • Prof. Vanessa Joosen

(Subject: “Friendship in children’s literature”)

For technical application issues: jobs@uantwerpen.be

The University of Antwerp promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion and holds the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award. It is a sustainable and family-friendly employer committed to supporting employee growth.

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