Angela Schottenhammer

This PhD position at KU Leuven, within the Department of Early Modern History, focuses on reconstructing the long-term history of plant introductions into the Northern Mariana Islands from the early colonial period to the present. The successful candidate will elaborate an environmental history of the Mariana Islands, emphasizing plant introductions from the 16th to the 20th century, utilizing oral history and a wide range of documentary sources. The research will compare the environmental impacts of different colonial empires—Spanish, German, Japanese, and US—on the islands, contributing to the ecological study of Pacific vegetation through historical analysis. The project is part of the international PacificPeopleForest consortium, which integrates historical, archaeological, and ecological perspectives to understand the interplay between human populations and forest dynamics in the Pacific Islands before and after European contact. The candidate will collaborate closely with five other PhD students and participate in international workshops, archival fieldwork, and team activities. The position offers a 3-year contract (1-year initial, extendable by 2 years upon positive evaluation) funded by a Marie Curie Doctoral Network (Horizon Europe - MSCA). The candidate will conduct fieldwork in European archives and the Northern Mariana Islands, visit European partners, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and present at conferences. Applicants must have a Master's degree in History or a related field, with a strong background in ethnobotany, early modern European history, paleography, and archival research. Excellent English, very good Spanish and Dutch (or German), and ideally basic French are required. IT and GIS skills are recommended. The position starts on February 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted online with a CV, diplomas, and two reference letters. For further information, contact Prof. Dr. Angela Schottenhammer. Interviews will be held online in December 2025.

This PhD position at KU Leuven focuses on the early modern ethnobotanical history of the Pacific Islands, specifically the history of plant introductions into the Mariana Islands from the 16th to the 20th century and their environmental and cultural impacts. The successful candidate will reconstruct the long-term history of plant introductions, elaborate an environmental history of the Mariana Islands, and compare the environmental impacts of different colonial empires (Spanish, German, Japanese, US) on the islands. The research will utilize a wide range of sources, including oral histories, archival documents, and underutilized materials such as trading and military records. The project is part of the Marie Curie Doctoral Network 'PacificPeopleForest', which brings together an interdisciplinary team of six PhD students to study the impacts of European colonialism on Pacific Island peoples and forests, integrating historical, archaeological, and ecological perspectives. The candidate will work closely with other PhD students in the consortium and the Crossroads Research Centre, participate in international workshops and fieldwork (including in European archives and the Northern Mariana Islands), and contribute to a project database. The position offers a 3-year contract (1-year initial, renewable for 2 more years upon positive evaluation), starting preferably on February 1, 2026. Applicants should have a Master's degree in History or a related field, with strong skills in ethnobotany, early modern European history, paleography, and archival research. Excellent English is required, along with strong Spanish, Dutch (or German), and ideally French reading skills. Basic IT and GIS skills are recommended. The position is fully funded under the Marie Curie Doctoral Network, with salary and research support. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. Applications are submitted online, with interviews scheduled for early December 2025.

This PhD position at KU Leuven focuses on reconstructing the demographic and settlement developments in the Northern Mariana Islands during the 16th and 17th centuries, a period marked by early European colonial contact. The successful candidate will join the PacificPeopleForest consortium, an international and interdisciplinary research team investigating the long-term impacts of European colonialism on Pacific Island peoples and forests. The project integrates historical, archaeological, and ecological perspectives to understand the interplay between human populations and forest dynamics before and after European contact. The research will involve reconstructing the ways of life of indigenous populations in the Mariana Islands, using historical documents to build a systematic ethnohistory. The candidate will extract and analyze data on demography, settlement, plant use, and agriculture from colonial records, with a particular focus on the role of plants in Pacific Island societies. The project aims to provide a comparative perspective with Guam and to highlight the demographic impacts of colonialism, even in areas where European settlement was limited. The combination of textual and archaeological evidence will also shed light on traditional ecological knowledge and plant introductions, a topic that has not been systematically studied in this context. The candidate will work closely with five other PhD students in the consortium, participate in international workshops and archival fieldwork, and contribute to the project database. The position is based at KU Leuven's Crossroads Research Centre, which specializes in early modern global history and transpacific maritime relations. Fieldwork will be conducted in European archives and on the Northern Mariana Islands, and the candidate will have opportunities to visit European partners, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and present at conferences. Applicants should have a Master's degree in History or a related field, with a strong background in early modern history and Spanish colonial history. Essential skills include paleography (especially Spanish), archival research, and proficiency in English, Spanish, Dutch, and ideally French. IT and GIS skills are desirable. The position offers a 3-year contract (1-year initial, with a 2-year extension upon successful evaluation) as part of a Marie Curie Doctoral Network, with salary and benefits according to KU Leuven and EU standards. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. The preferred start date is February 1, 2026, with online interviews scheduled for December 2025.