Postdoctoral Scholarship in International Mobility (Musicology/Sound Studies) KU Leuven in Belgium

This postdoctoral scholarship at KU Leuven is offered within the Faculty of Arts Research Group of Musicology and the Alamire Foundation, International Centre for the Study of Music in the Low Countries. The successful candidate will collaborate with the Royal Library of Belgium and participate in the program "From Script to Sound: Connecting Heritage and Art through Research and Technology." The research environment is renowned for its expertise in chant and polyphony of late medieval and early modern Europe, source studies, text criticism, and the intersections of music with death and emotion.

The postholder will join a vibrant academic community of doctoral researchers and postdoctoral fellows, with regular social activities and professional workshops. The main research project, "Funeral Soundscapes: Hearing Death Rituals in the Age of Confessionalization (c. 1550–c. 1650)," led by Prof. Antonio Chemotti, focuses on the sonic dimensions of death rituals in early modern Europe. Responsibilities include conducting original and independent research, publishing in leading journals, assisting with conferences and exhibitions, contributing to funding applications, and residing in Belgium for the majority of the appointment.

Applicants must hold a PhD in History or Musicology by the project start date, demonstrate interest and experience in music history and sound studies of the early modern period, and possess excellent English skills plus proficiency in at least one other relevant language (Spanish, French, Dutch, Italian, or Latin). Experience in archival research and Digital Humanities is considered an asset. Eligibility criteria include not having resided, studied, or worked in Belgium for more than 24 months in the past three years, and not having held a doctorate for more than six years prior to the start date.

The scholarship is a three-year full-time appointment, subject to positive evaluations after the first and second years. The position is based in the Department of Musicology and the Alamire Foundation, with opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, and offers support for accessibility and other needs.

Applications are accepted online via the KU Leuven job portal. The deadline for submission is 1 July 2026. For further information, contact Prof. Antonio Chemotti at [email protected].