Michiel van Groesen

Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) is offering a fully funded PhD position focused on the linguistic politics and power dynamics in early colonial North America (1604–1664). This four-year doctoral project is part of the research initiative ‘Leveraging Language, Proclaiming Power’, funded by the Dutch Research Council’s Vidi scheme and led by Dr. Alisa van de Haar, with co-supervision by Professor Michiel van Groesen. The project investigates how language choices and communicative practices among European settlers, Indigenous peoples, and enslaved Africans shaped and reflected power relations in the colonial context, particularly in regions such as New Netherland, New France, Virginia, and New England. The research will analyze five key multilingual interactions: among settlers, between competing colonies, between colonists and Indigenous communities, between colonists and enslaved individuals, and in communication with European leadership. The PhD candidate will conduct comparative historical analysis, focusing on the social implications of language strategies rather than linguistic theory. The project aims to shed new light on the mechanisms of power structures in multilingual societies and contribute to broader understandings of colonial history and sociolinguistics. As part of the research team, the PhD candidate will collaborate with the Principal Investigator and a future postdoctoral researcher, participate in archival research in the US and Canada, and contribute to a collaborative database, teaching package, and museum exhibit. The position also involves publishing peer-reviewed articles, presenting at conferences, and engaging with the intellectual life of LUCAS and the Institute for History at Leiden University. Eligibility: Applicants must hold a ResMA/MRes or MA in early modern or colonial history, or languages, with a thesis grade of 8.0 or above (distinction or equivalent). Full professional proficiency in English and Dutch is required, and proficiency in French is expected (full proficiency is a bonus). Knowledge of Latin is advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate strong research and analytical skills, time-management, and the ability to complete the PhD within four years. International applicants are welcome if they meet the language requirements and are willing to relocate to the Netherlands. Funding: The position offers a competitive salary ranging from €3,089 to €3,881 gross per month (full-time), plus 8% holiday and 8.3% end-of-year bonuses, training and career development opportunities, and a substantial tax break for eligible candidates from outside the Netherlands. The initial contract is for 14 months, with extension for the remaining period upon positive evaluation. Application Process: Applications must be submitted via the online recruitment system by 15 March 2026. Required documents include a letter of application, CV, contact details for two referees, MA thesis or writing sample, course assessments, and MA degree certificate (or supervisor contact if thesis is pending). Interviews will be held online in April 2026. For project-related enquiries, contact Dr. Alisa van de Haar at [email protected]. For procedural questions, contact Nina Schat at [email protected]. Leiden University is committed to diversity and inclusion, fostering an open and welcoming academic community. The Faculty of Humanities is a leading international center for the study of languages, cultures, arts, and societies, offering a vibrant environment for advanced research and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Leiden University’s Faculty of Humanities (LUCAS) is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position on the topic of linguistic politics in early colonial North America. This opportunity is part of the Vidi-funded project “Leveraging Language, Proclaiming Power,” led by dr. Alisa van de Haar with Prof. Michiel van Groesen as co-supervisor. The research explores how language choices shaped power relations among European settlers, Indigenous communities, and enslaved African individuals in the period 1604–1664, focusing on the social and political implications of language use in New France, New Netherland, New England, and Virginia. The project adopts a comparative approach across French, Dutch, and English colonies, emphasizing the role of interpreters, imposed languages, and multilingual negotiation in shaping authority and social hierarchy. The PhD candidate will conduct archival research in the US and Canada, contribute to collaborative databases, teaching materials, and a museum exhibit, and is expected to publish peer-reviewed articles and present at conferences. Some teaching duties may be assigned in years 2–3. Applicants should have an MA, ResMA, or MRes in early modern or colonial history, or languages, with a strong academic record (thesis grade 8.0 or higher or equivalent). Full professional proficiency in English and Dutch is required, with proficiency in French considered an advantage. Candidates must be willing to spend up to four months conducting archival research in North America. The position offers a gross monthly salary from €3,089 to €3,881, with a full-time contract for four years (or 0.8 FTE for five years). The application deadline is 15 March 2026, and interviews will be held online in April 2026. To apply, candidates must submit a motivation letter, academic CV, MA thesis or writing sample, grade lists and language certificates, MA degree certificate (or supervisor contact if pending), and contact details of two referees. For further information, contact dr. Alisa van de Haar at [email protected].

Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) is offering a fully funded PhD position as part of the project 'Leveraging Language, Proclaiming Power: Linguistic Politics in Early Colonial North America.' This research project, funded by the Dutch Research Council’s Vidi scheme, investigates the interplay between communication choices and power dynamics in early colonial North America (1604–1664). The project is led by Dr. Alisa van de Haar (historical French literature) and co-supervised by Professor Michiel van Groesen (maritime history). The PhD candidate will join a collaborative research team, including a postdoctoral researcher, to explore how language strategies and communication practices shaped power structures among European colonizers, Indigenous peoples, and enslaved Africans in seventeenth-century North America. The research focuses on multilingual interactions in New Netherland, New France, New England, and Virginia, analyzing handwritten and printed materials from the period. Rather than a linguistic study, the project emphasizes historical analysis of the social implications of language choices, offering new insights into colonial power dynamics. Key responsibilities include conducting archival research in the US and Canada, completing a PhD thesis in English within four years, contributing to a collaborative database, teaching package, and museum exhibit, publishing peer-reviewed articles, and participating in conferences and academic events. The candidate will also engage in the intellectual life of LUCAS and the Institute for History, and may undertake some teaching in the second and third years. Applicants must hold a ResMA/MRes or MA in early modern or colonial history, or languages, with a thesis grade of 8.0 or above. Proficiency in English and Dutch is required, and French proficiency is highly desirable. Knowledge of Latin is a bonus. Candidates should demonstrate strong research, analytical, and writing skills, proven time-management, and the ability to complete the PhD within four years. International candidates are welcome if they have full Dutch proficiency and are willing to relocate to the Netherlands. The position offers a competitive salary (€3,089–€3,881 gross per month), holiday and end-of-year bonuses, training and career development, and a potential substantial tax break for candidates from outside the Netherlands. Leiden University is committed to diversity and inclusion, fostering an open and welcoming academic community. Applications must be submitted via the online recruitment system by 1 September 2026. Required documents include a letter of application, CV, contact information for two referees, MA thesis or writing sample, course assessments, and MA degree certificate or supervisor contact details if the thesis is not yet submitted. Online interviews will be held in the second half of September. For further information, contact Dr. Alisa van de Haar at [email protected]. For more details about LUCAS and Leiden University, visit Leiden University and LUCAS .