PhD Position: Women in the Early Modern Language Sector
Join an ERC-funded project investigating the professional opportunities for women in the language sector between 1550 and 1650.
Best for:Best for researchers with a background in history, literature, or early modern studies and an interest in gender history and archival research.
Overview
Leiden University invites applications for a four-year PhD position within the ERC-funded project 'LangPro: Professional Opportunities in the Early Modern Language Sector (1550-1650)'. The successful candidate will conduct a collective analysis of female language professionals across England, the Low Countries, France, and the German lands. This research involves archival work, the creation of a prosopographical database, and the completion of a PhD thesis. The role is based at the Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) and offers the opportunity to collaborate with an international team of scholars.
What you'll do
- Conduct original research on the role of women in the early modern language sector.
- Perform archival and library research in the UK, Belgium, Germany, and France.
- Complete a PhD thesis in English within the four-year contract period.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of the project's prosopographical database.
- Publish at least two co-authored articles in peer-reviewed journals or volumes.
- Present research findings at national and international academic conferences.
- Participate in monthly project meetings and the intellectual life of the LUCAS Institute.
- Engage in teaching activities during the second and third years of the appointment.
Requirements
Degree required: ResMA, MRes, or MA in history, early modern studies, literature, or languages.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English (full professional proficiency); Dutch, German, or French (professional reading proficiency).
Instruction: English
Publications: None explicitly required, but academic achievements are considered.
- Proven research skills including the ability to formulate creative research questions.
- Strong analytical and descriptive writing abilities.
- Full professional proficiency in English.
- Professional working proficiency in Dutch, German, or French (especially reading).
- Willingness to travel for archival research in Europe.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Must hold a relevant MA degree by the time of appointment.
- Must have achieved a grade of 8.0 or above (or equivalent) for the MA thesis.
- Must be willing to relocate to the Netherlands.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-15
Submit your application via the online recruitment portal. Ensure your application includes a motivation statement, CV, contact details for two referees, a writing sample or MA thesis, and relevant academic transcripts.
- Motivation statement
- CV
- MA thesis or writing sample
- List of grades
- Language proficiency certificates
Contact
Alisa van de Haar· Principal Investigator
a.d.m.van.de.haar@hum.leidenuniv.nl
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities/centre-for-the-arts-in-society
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