Ghent University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher (20% FTE) in the Department of Art History, Musicology and Theater Studies, as part of the four-year FWO-funded Senior Research project "Con-Fluvial: an art-science-activist worlding activating awareness of hydro-ecologies." The project is driven by the Natural Contract Lab (NCL), a research-based art initiative led by Maria Lucia Cruz Correia, and focuses on developing collective awareness and alternative knowledge systems around the hydro-ecologies of the SZenne River in Belgium.
The Con-Fluvial project explores how water flows through human and more-than-human bodies, and seeks to design processes of repair and care for water bodies based on reciprocity, responsibility, and interdependence. The research draws on political ecology, new materialist philosophy, and indigenous wisdom, engaging with the works of Bruno Latour, Donna Haraway, and Robin Wall Kimmerer. The project is highly interdisciplinary, involving expert workshops with artists, academics, and stakeholders from diverse fields to develop innovative methodologies and outputs, including interactive mapping and public engagement activities.
As the postdoctoral research coordinator, you will support scientific teams, monitor project milestones, ensure compliance with ethical and legal guidelines, and conduct high-level theoretical research on art and ecology. Responsibilities include facilitating meetings, managing internal communication, organizing and documenting research activities, ensuring data quality and FAIRness, and developing communication strategies for scientific and public audiences. You will also co-edit a book publication, collaborate on interactive map design, and explore synergies with other funding channels.
Applicants must hold a PhD in Art Studies or a related field, with research experience in art and ecology. Skills in graphic design, rights of nature, and visualization techniques are recommended. Candidates should be independent, creative, and collaborative, with excellent communication skills in Dutch, English, and French. Experience with NGOs, citizen initiatives, and interdisciplinary research is valued, as is familiarity with the work of Natural Contract Lab.
The position offers a contract of indefinite duration (20% FTE), starting December 1, 2025 at the earliest, with salary according to scale PD1 to PD4. Ghent University provides a comprehensive benefits package, including training opportunities, generous holiday leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. The application deadline is November 20, 2025. Applications must be submitted online with a CV (including five relevant publications), cover letter, and degree transcript. For further information, contact Prof. Dr. Christel Stalpaert at Christel.Stalpaert@UGent.be.
