PhD Position Women in the Early Modern Language Sector

This PhD position focuses on researching women's roles and opportunities in the early modern language sector (1550-1650). Key responsibilities include analyzing biographical data of female language professionals across Europe and contributing to a collaborative prosopographical database. Applicants need a Master's degree in a relevant field, strong research skills, and proficiency in English, with knowledge of Dutch, German, or French being beneficial.

• Conducting research on the role of women in the early modern language sector. Part of this research will take place in archives and libraries in the UK, Belgium, Germany, and France
• Completing a PhD thesis (in English) within four years
• Contributing to the project’s collaborative database
• Publishing at least two (co-authored) articles in peer-reviewed journals or volumes
• Presenting papers at conferences, both in the Netherlands and internationally
• Participating in monthly meetings of the project research group
• Participating in the training programme of the LUCAS (Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society) Institute, the Leiden Graduate School of Humanities, the Huizinga Institute (Netherlands Research School for Cultural History), and other relevant masterclasses, summer schools, seminars, workshops, and events
• Participating in the PhD community and the intellectual life of the LUCAS Institute
• Subject to progress and demand, some teaching in the second and third years of your PhD project, in line with your expertise and prior experience.

• You hold a ResMA/MRes or MA with a specialisation in history, early modern studies, literature, or languages
• Your ResMA/MA should be awarded by time of appointment, with a grade of 8.0 or above on a ten-point scale (distinction or equivalent) for your thesis.
• If the MA thesis is not yet finished, we invite you to provide contact details for your supervisor in your application letter so we may consult with them on your progress
• You are willing to work up to 2 months in archives and libraries in the UK, Belgium, France, and Germany in year 1 and year 2 of the project, up to a total of 4 months for the duration of the project
• You have well-developed research skills, including the ability to formulate creative research questions, descriptive and analytical skills, and a clear and persuasive style of writing
• You have an interest in or affinity with the language sector and gender studies
• You have experience with or are willing to learn about early modern (hand)writing in Dutch, English, German, and French
• You have full professional working proficiency in English (speaking, writing, reading)
• You have professional working proficiency in Dutch, German, and/or French, (especially reading), or a willingness to learn one of these languages. Knowledge of Latin is a bonus
• You have proven time-management skills
• You are a team player and independent thinker
• You have the ability to finish the proposed PhD research in 4 years.
• International candidates are encouraged to apply but must be willing to relocate to the Netherlands for the duration of the project.