PhD and Postdoctoral Research Positions in Hair, Identity, Beauty, and Femininities in Muslim Contexts (Egypt, Lebanon, UAE) Ghent University in

Ghent University’s Centre for Arabic, Islamic and Middle East Studies (CAIMES) is recruiting for the ERC-funded project HAIR: Hair, Identity, Beauty, and the Self in Muslim Contexts: Emotional Landscapes and Changing Femininities Beyond the Veil.

The call includes two PhD positions (subprojects on Egypt and Lebanon) and one postdoctoral position (subproject on the United Arab Emirates). The project examines the cultural, socio-religious, political, and emotional meanings of beauty and body politics in Muslim-majority contexts, with a focus on how hair and beauty practices intersect with identity formation, gender norms, selfhood, and religious/social expectations.

Research approaches include Arabic/Islamic studies, anthropology, gender studies, literature studies, Middle Eastern studies, ethnographic fieldwork, analysis of Arabic literary texts, and digital methodologies. The PhD researchers will develop their own subprojects within the broader ERC framework and contribute to an interdisciplinary international team.

Eligibility highlights: a relevant Master’s degree; strong interest in gender, embodiment, literature, and Muslim societies; excellent Arabic and English skills; ability to conduct fieldwork; and strong research/writing ability. For the PhD posts, the university specifies a fully funded doctoral fellowship with an initial 12-month contract, extendable up to 48 months. The postdoctoral post is 100% for 3 years.

Deadline: 31 July 2026. Applications must be emailed to [email protected] with the required documents, including CV, transcripts, motivation letter, research proposal, referee details, and writing samples.