Doctoral fellow

Job description

Ghent University seeks to appoint a doctoral fellow whose research focuses on the political culture of the Ottoman Empire in the early modern period (ca. 1450-1800), under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Christopher Markiewicz.

We invite proposals for PhD research projects on any aspect of Ottoman political culture between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries, including, but not limited to the following areas: Ottoman political and historical thought; the practices of diplomacy; the development of imperial culture; the relationship between social institutions (especially pious endowments) and the state.

Within the context of the doctoral fellowship, the successful candidate will:

• Write a PhD dissertation for a degree in Middle East Studies or History
• Submit at least 2 articles for publication with a peer-reviewed journal
• Disseminate your research through participation in international workshops and conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Contribute to the research environment in Ottoman and Islamic studies at Ghent University through participation in reading groups, workshops, and other scholarly events
  
  

As a doctoral fellow, the successful candidate will join the research team in Ottoman studies working under the supervision of Prof. Markiewicz, and, if appropriate for the fellow’s research, will be affiliated with the ERC Starting-Grant project “Islamic Endowments (Waqf) and State Formation in the Ottoman Empire, 1450-1650 (OTTOWAQF).”

Job profile

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a thesis-based master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., History, Islamic Studies, Middle East Studies, Near Eastern Languages & Cultures);
• You have the ability to develop an original research project
• You have proficiency in the relevant languages, especially Ottoman Turkish, Arabic, and/or Persian, sufficient to undertake cutting-edge research in Ottoman history (15th-18th centuries);
• You have completed an exceptional MA dissertation on an aspect of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 18th centuries;
• You have an excellent command of written and spoken English;
• You are a dynamic and enthusiastic team player
  
  

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a full-time position for four years as doctoral fellow, subject to positive evaluation after one year.
• Your contract will start on 1/09/2024 at the earliest
• You will receive an internationally competitive doctoral scholarship that, depending on bilateral agreements between Belgium and your country, includes full or partial social security benefits (health insurance, pension rights and unemployment benefits). The scholarship amount is 100% of the net salary of a pre-doc Assistant Academic Staff (AAP) with the same level of education and seniority and equal family circumstances. The exact amount is determined by the Department of Personnel and Organization (DPO) at UGent. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• You will be allocated office space and a laptop, and receive funding for archival research and fieldwork, and for attending workshops and conferences.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

How to apply

To apply, submit the following materials in a single pdf file to Prof. Christopher Markiewicz (christopher.markiewicz@ugent.be):

• a Cover letter outlining your experience and interest in undertaking doctoral studies at Ghent
• your CV and an overview of your study results
• a transcript of your studies at undergraduate and MA level
• a research proposal (max. 2000 words) that outlines the dissertation project you will undertake and includes 1) project title, 2) a rationale and positioning of the project in relation to existing scholarship, 3) a statement of the research objectives of the project, and 4) research methodology and work plan
• names, positions, and email address of two referees (do not include reference letters.)