→ Apply before 30/06/2026 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
→ Faculty of Arts and Philosophy
→ Department: LW07 - Letterkunde
→ Occupancy rate:40%
→ Number of positions: 1
→ Type of employment: Contract of unlimited duration
→ Term of assignment:
→ Wage scale: PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree)
→ Required diploma:PhD
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
Job description
Your assignment is situated within the FWO research project Tracing the Origins of the Bible in Dutch: The Earliest Middle Dutch Translations of Biblical Texts (c. 1200–1350) at Ghent University (PI: Youri Desplenter; co-supervisor: Anna Dlabačová, Leiden University). The project is embedded within the research groups HPIMS – Henri Pirenne Institute for Medieval Studies (https://research.flw.ugent.be/nl/hpims) and GEMS (https://gemsugent.wordpress.com/), and within the Department of Literary Studies at Ghent University, as well as in the Medieval and Early Modern Studies cluster of LUCAS – Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities/centre-for-the-arts-in-society/medieval-early-modern-studies/research).
In addition, the research team will be closely connected to the COST Action Prayticipate (https://prayticipate.eu/). For the digital component of the project, there is collaboration with the Ghent Centre for Digital Humanities (https://www.ghentcdh.ugent.be/).
The project
Around 1360, the so-called Herne Bible translator began work on the first nearly complete Dutch translation of the Bible. Well before this milestone, however, several biblical texts had already been translated separately into Middle Dutch, such as the Gospels, the Life of Jesus, the Psalms, and the Apocalypse. These earlier translations were later used to varying degrees by the Herne Bible translator.
Recent research has shown that most of these translations were produced in the thirteenth century, particularly in the western part of the County of Flanders. This new insight offers a valuable opportunity to study them in relation to one another. Key questions include whether these translations are interconnected, whether they stem from a single translator or translation centre, or whether they originated independently. Such a synchronic analysis will also help determine whether these are original Middle Dutch translations or adaptations of French or German versions.
In addition, the project will shed light on their relationship to other Middle Dutch texts with biblical content from the same period and region, such as Jacob van Maerlant’s Rijmbijbel (c. 1270). In this way, the project aims to provide the first coherent overview of Bible translation in the Low Countries in the thirteenth century.
Your role
The postdoctoral researcher will primarily work within the subproject The Earliest Middle Dutch Translation of the Four Gospels in Co-text and Context and Its Reception History (Life of Jesus and Gospel Pericopes). This subproject examines important subgenres within the corpus of gospel-related translations, compares selected Middle Dutch versions with their counterparts in other vernacular languages, studies the religious, intellectual, and socio-cultural contexts in which these texts were produced and circulated, and analyses patterns of textual transmission and their implications for the original use and purpose of these texts.
Key responsibilities
- You will contribute to the development of the project database and to the subsequent analysis of the collected data, together with the other members of the project team;
- You will conduct independent research on the earliest Middle Dutch translation of the four Gospels and the texts derived from it, namely the Life of Jesus and the gospel pericopes;
- You will present papers at national and international conferences;
- You will participate in meetings of the project team;
- You will take the lead in organizing a project workshop and an international conference;
- You will organize activities aimed at the valorization (dissemination and societal impact) of the research;
- You will write and publish at least four peer-reviewed articles;
- You will provide occasional support for teaching activities within the Department of Literary Studies (Ghent University).
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- You hold a PhD (by dissertation) in Middle Dutch literature, medieval studies, (book) history, or a related field, to be obtained by the date of appointment, preferably on a topic related to late medieval literature, manuscript studies, and/or religion;
- You have well-developed research skills, including the ability to formulate creative research questions, strong descriptive and analytical abilities, and a clear and persuasive writing style;
- You are willing to travel to libraries and conferences, both nationally and internationally;
- You have an excellent command of Dutch and English, and reading proficiency in Middle Dutch, French, and German;
- You have experience with codicology and palaeography;
- You have a strong interest in digital approaches, knowledge of the digital humanities, preferably programming skills (Python), and/or a willingness to acquire digital skills;
- You have a strong interest in late medieval religion and textual culture;
- You are both a team player and able to work independently, a flexible thinker with a problem-solving mindset;
- International candidates are encouraged to apply, but must be willing to relocate to Belgium for the duration of the appointment.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- We offer you a part-time (40%) contract of indefinite duration (the percentage may still be adjusted in mutual agreement with the candidate).
- Your contract will start on 1/09/2026 at the earliest.
- You will be part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and international research environment.
- Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1 to PD4 (if you hold a doctorate). 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 staff benefits.
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 a transcript of your academic record (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 contact details of three referees
- a short research proposal relating to the material you will be working on (max. 1 page)
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
or more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Youri Desplenter ([email protected]). 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 [email protected].
