PhD Position: Women in the Early Modern Language Sector Leiden University in Netherlands

Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) invites applications for a fully funded PhD position in the ERC Starting Grant project LangPro: Professional Opportunities in the Early Modern Language Sector (1550–1650). The project is directed by Dr Alisa van de Haar, with Prof. Nadine Akkerman as co-supervisor. The position is based at Leiden University in the Netherlands and starts on 1 January 2027.

The PhD project focuses on women in the early modern language sector. The successful candidate will study a selection of female language professionals from England, the Low Countries, France, and the German lands to investigate how women could benefit from employment in language-related work such as translation, teaching, reading, writing, and text editing. The research will draw on biographical data, personal writings, and correspondence to identify patterns in language skills, access to employment, and the financial and social rewards of language work.

The PhD candidate will also contribute to the project’s collaborative prosopographical database on early modern language professionals. This makes the post especially attractive to applicants interested in the intersection of cultural history, historical linguistics, literary studies, gender studies, and digital or collective research approaches.

Key responsibilities include conducting archival and library research in the UK, Belgium, Germany, and France; writing a PhD thesis in English within four years; publishing at least two co-authored articles; presenting at conferences in the Netherlands and internationally; joining monthly project meetings; and participating in the training and academic life of LUCAS, the Leiden Graduate School of Humanities, and the Huizinga Institute. Some teaching may be included in years two and three, depending on progress and departmental need.

Applicants should hold a ResMA/MRes or MA in history, early modern studies, literature, or languages, with an excellent thesis result (8.0/10 or equivalent). Strong research, writing, and time-management skills are essential, as is proficiency in English. Candidates should also have working knowledge of Dutch, German, and/or French, especially for reading early modern sources, or be willing to learn one of these languages; familiarity with early modern handwriting in Dutch, English, German, and French is expected or learnable. Latin is considered a bonus. International candidates are welcome, but must be willing to relocate to the Netherlands for the duration of the project.

Funding is provided through the European Research Council. The appointment is for four years full time (1.0 FTE, 38 hours per week), or five years at 0.8 FTE, with a 14-month initial contract and extension after positive evaluation. Salary ranges from €3,204 gross per month in the first year to €4,051 in the final year, plus holiday and end-of-year bonuses.

Applications must be submitted via Leiden University’s online recruitment system by 15 October 2026. Applicants should provide a motivation letter (max 1000 words), CV, two referees, a thesis or writing sample, course records and language certificates, and a degree certificate or supervisor contact details if the thesis is not yet completed. Email applications will not be considered.