PhD Position on Early Colonial North America: Linguistic Politics and Power Dynamics Leiden University in Netherlands

Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) is offering a fully funded PhD position as part of the project 'Leveraging Language, Proclaiming Power: Linguistic Politics in Early Colonial North America.' This research project, funded by the Dutch Research Council’s Vidi scheme, investigates the interplay between communication choices and power dynamics in early colonial North America (1604–1664). The project is led by Dr. Alisa van de Haar (historical French literature) and co-supervised by Professor Michiel van Groesen (maritime history).

The PhD candidate will join a collaborative research team, including a postdoctoral researcher, to explore how language strategies and communication practices shaped power structures among European colonizers, Indigenous peoples, and enslaved Africans in seventeenth-century North America. The research focuses on multilingual interactions in New Netherland, New France, New England, and Virginia, analyzing handwritten and printed materials from the period. Rather than a linguistic study, the project emphasizes historical analysis of the social implications of language choices, offering new insights into colonial power dynamics.

Key responsibilities include conducting archival research in the US and Canada, completing a PhD thesis in English within four years, contributing to a collaborative database, teaching package, and museum exhibit, publishing peer-reviewed articles, and participating in conferences and academic events. The candidate will also engage in the intellectual life of LUCAS and the Institute for History, and may undertake some teaching in the second and third years.

Applicants must hold a ResMA/MRes or MA in early modern or colonial history, or languages, with a thesis grade of 8.0 or above. Proficiency in English and Dutch is required, and French proficiency is highly desirable. Knowledge of Latin is a bonus. Candidates should demonstrate strong research, analytical, and writing skills, proven time-management, and the ability to complete the PhD within four years. International candidates are welcome if they have full Dutch proficiency and are willing to relocate to the Netherlands.

The position offers a competitive salary (€3,089–€3,881 gross per month), holiday and end-of-year bonuses, training and career development, and a potential substantial tax break for candidates from outside the Netherlands. Leiden University is committed to diversity and inclusion, fostering an open and welcoming academic community.

Applications must be submitted via the online recruitment system by 1 September 2026. Required documents include a letter of application, CV, contact information for two referees, MA thesis or writing sample, course assessments, and MA degree certificate or supervisor contact details if the thesis is not yet submitted. Online interviews will be held in the second half of September. For further information, contact Dr. Alisa van de Haar at [email protected].

For more details about LUCAS and Leiden University, visit Leiden University and LUCAS.