4 PhD Fellowships at Ghent University (History of Political Thought in the Mediterranean World during Late Antiquity/the First Millennium).
The Ghent Centre for Late Antiquity, Ghent University (https://www.gcla.ugent.be/) is offering four PhD fellowships as part of the ERC Advanced Grant Project New Polities. Political Thought in the First Millennium, directed by Prof. P. Van Nuffelen.
JOB DESCRIPTION
- The New Polities project studies political thought in Late Antiquity (ca. 300-900 AD). Rather than considering this as the time when the ancient city-state gave way to monarchy and when rationality became subordinate to religious texts, the project argues that we see in Late Antiquity a wide range of new religious and political communities that adopted and modified classical ideas and thus developed a rich political thought. By studying sources in other languages than just Latin and Greek, New Polities will uncover neglected traditions of political thought from the first millennium AD, from the Roman Empire to the Abbasids, Byzantines and Carolingians.
- The four PhD students will write a doctoral dissertation on a topic related to the project’s aims, including (but not limited to) concepts of social relations, kingship, utopias, virtue, economic thought and the relation between society and nature. Their topic should relate to sources in Greek, Latin, Syriac, Armenian, and/or Georgian.
- You contribute to a database of commented passages on first millennium political thought.
- You participate in, and co-organize, team meetings, workshops and conferences.
Job profile
- You hold (or will hold one by the starting date) a Master’s degree in a relevant field, including (but not limited to) Classics & Ancient History, History, Theology and Religious Studies, Philosophy, and Oriental Studies.
- You have a very good knowledge of at least one of the relevant languages (Greek, Latin, Syriac, Armenian or Georgian). Knowledge of two or more languages and cultures, or a willingness to acquire additional languages (including Hebrew, Persian and Arabic), 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 willing to work in a team.
- You have good organizational skills.
WHAT THE POSITION OFFERS
- The position is a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which, after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
- Your contract will start on 1/3/2025 at the earliest and on 1/10/2025 at the latest.
- The fellowship amount is around 2500 euro/month. It is equal to 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by the Department of Personnel and Organization based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax.
- 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, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers.
How to apply
Send your CV, a copy of your diploma (if already in your possession), a motivation letter and a 500 word abstract of a possible PhD topic to peter.vannuffelen@ugent.be before 1 October 2024.
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Peter Van Nuffelen (peter.vannuffelen @ugent.be)