Alisa van de Haar

This fully funded PhD position at Leiden University is part of the ERC Starting Grant project LangPro: Professional Opportunities in the Early Modern Language Sector (1550-1650), directed by Dr. Alisa van de Haar and co-supervised by Professor Nadine Akkerman. The project investigates the language sector in early modern North-West Europe, focusing on the professional, financial, and social opportunities available to men and women with language skills in the Low Countries, France, Germany, and England. The PhD candidate will specifically research how language professionals formed guilds, societies, and associations, and how these organizations supported their members, verified language proficiency, mediated conflicts, and provided schooling. The research involves extensive archival work in the UK, Belgium, France, and Germany, and contributes to a collaborative database on early modern language professionals. The position is based at the Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS), a leading international institute for the study of languages, cultures, arts, and societies. The successful candidate will complete a PhD thesis in English within four years, publish at least two co-authored articles, present at conferences, and participate in research group meetings and training programs. Some teaching may be required in the later years of the project. Applicants must hold a ResMA/MRes or MA in history, early modern studies, or languages, with a thesis grade of 8.0 or above, and demonstrate strong research, analytical, and writing skills. Proficiency in English is required, with additional language skills in German, French, or Dutch preferred. International candidates are welcome but must relocate to the Netherlands. The position offers a competitive salary (€3,059–€3,881 gross per month), benefits, and possible tax breaks for international hires. Applications must be submitted online by 15 February 2026, including a motivation letter, CV, referee contacts, thesis or writing sample, course assessments, and degree certificate. For project enquiries, contact Dr. Alisa van de Haar.

This fully funded PhD position is part of the ERC Starting Grant project LangPro: Professional Opportunities in the Early Modern Language Sector (1550-1650), hosted at Leiden University and directed by Dr. Alisa van de Haar, with co-supervision by Professor Nadine Akkerman. The project investigates the language sector in early modern North-West Europe, focusing on the professional, financial, and social opportunities available to men and women with language skills in the Low Countries, France, the German lands, and England. The PhD candidate will specifically research women in the early modern language sector, analyzing biographical data, personal writings, and correspondence to uncover patterns in language skills, employment strategies, and the benefits gained through language work. The research will involve archival work in the UK, Belgium, Germany, and France, and collaboration with the LangPro team to build a prosopographical database of early modern language professionals. The candidate will be expected to complete a PhD thesis in English within four years, contribute to the collaborative database, publish at least two co-authored articles, present at conferences, and participate in training and academic events at the Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) and other institutes. Applicants should hold a ResMA/MRes or MA in history, early modern studies, literature, or languages, with a thesis grade of 8.0 or above, and have strong research and analytical skills. Proficiency in English is required, along with proficiency or willingness to learn German, French, and/or Dutch; knowledge of Latin is a plus. International candidates are welcome but must relocate to the Netherlands. The position offers a competitive salary (€3,059–€3,881 gross per month), benefits, and possible tax breaks for non-Dutch candidates. The application deadline is 15 February 2026, with interviews in March 2026. For more information, contact Dr. Alisa van de Haar ([email protected]).

Leiden University is offering two fully funded PhD positions within the ERC project LangPro, focusing on the language sector in early modern Europe. The first position investigates professional opportunities for women in the early modern language sector, while the second explores the role of guilds and associations in supporting language professionals. The projects are co-supervised by Assistant Professor Alisa van de Haar and Professor Nadine Akkerman, both affiliated with Leiden University in the Netherlands. Multilingual applicants are especially welcome, and candidates should have a relevant Master's degree in history, linguistics, sociology, or a related discipline. The positions offer full funding, including tuition coverage and a stipend, though the exact financial details are not specified. The application deadline is 15 February 2026, with a starting date of 1 August 2026. Interested candidates should apply via the provided university career portal links and are encouraged to contact the supervisors for further information. The research environment at Leiden University is internationally recognized, and the LangPro project provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the understanding of language professionals and gender dynamics in early modern Europe.