Doctoral fellow

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing over 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

YOUR TASKS

This vacancy concerns a full-time, four year doctoral position in the Department of Translation, Interpreting and Communication (supervisors: Prof Brecht de Groote and Prof Bram Lambrecht), in close collaboration with the Department of Literary Studies (supervisor: Prof Marianne Van Remoortel) at Ghent University. As a doctoral researcher, you will have the opportunity to determine and delineate the specific topic of your project yourself, in consultation with the supervisory team. To ensure optimal alignment with existing expertise, your research proposal ideally engages with the following thematic orientations:

• it focuses on the Dutch- and English-language areas and studies these two contexts using methods from Translation Studies and/or Comparative Literary or Cultural Studies; 
• it focuses on the genre of poetry; 
• it adopts a historical perspective (ca. 1800–1950); 
• it draws on recent insights from gender studies and/or queer studies/theory. 

A flexible combination of these topics (according to your own interests and expertise) is encouraged. Your research will result in a dissertation written in either English or Dutch. 

Your assignment as a doctoral fellow consists of the following tasks:

• You will write a doctoral dissertation within a four year period in order to obtain a doctoral degree. 
• You will share intermediate results and insights through scholarly publications and conference presentations. 
• You will set up initiatives that make the research accessible to a broader audience. 
• You will devote at least 90% of your appointment to research, but you are also willing to take on a small role in the teaching and administrative duties of the Department of Translation, Interpreting and Communication and/or the Department of Literary Studies. 
• In the first or second year of your appointment, you will prepare a research proposal for a PhD fellowship application to the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO), provided you are eligible.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a Master’s degree in a field relevant to the research (for example Translation, Linguistics and Literature, (Comparative) Literature, or Cultural Studies). All degree requirements must be fulfilled by the start date of the appointment. At least one of the languages central to the project (Dutch and English) must be part of your study programme. 
• You have obtained excellent grades and demonstrate excellence in original and creative research (as evidenced by your Master’s thesis or any other research output). 
• You have sufficient command of both English and Dutch to carry out the research idea you propose. 
• Ideally, you have experience with research topics relevant to the project. 
• You are eager to learn and bring the necessary creativity to further develop and delineate your research topic. 
• You are capable of working independently, but you also enjoy close collaboration with colleagues.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer a full time, fully funded position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial one year appointment that, after a positive evaluation, will be extended for an additional three years. At the time of appointment, you will also enrol as a doctoral student. 
• The starting date can be no earlier than 1 November 2026. 
• The fellowship amount corresponds to 100% of the net salary of a member of the Assistant Academic Staff (AAP) in comparable family circumstances. More information on our salary scales is available here:  https://www.ugent.be/en/work/talent/welcoming-new-staff/salaryscales The exact amount is determined by the Personnel Administration team based on family situation and seniority. The amounts indicated must be multiplied by the index applicable at the time of payment and are exempt from income tax. The fellowship is a non‑taxable study grant. 
• All Ghent University staff members can rely on a range of benefits, including extensive training opportunities, 36 days of annual leave supplemented with fixed bridging days, a bicycle allowance, eco vouchers, and more. For a complete overview of all the staff benefits: 
• Your appointment is funded through Ghent University’s Basic Funding (‘Basisfinanciering’). This funding can cover necessary work related expenses (such as the purchase of books or participation in conferences). 
• The supervisors place great importance on transparent and open communication, mental well being, a positive working atmosphere, and the broad development of your talents. Working hours are flexible, and telework is possible. 
• The supervisors strongly encourage collaboration with other researchers. Your immediate research environment will be the TRACE and CLIV research groups, where literary and cultural translation is central. You will also benefit from strong connections with colleagues in other departments and universities. Throughout your trajectory, you will receive guidance from a diverse doctoral committee.

INTERESTED?

Submit your application by 1 September 2026 by email (simultaneously to bram.lambrecht@ugent.be, brecht.degroote@ugent.be, and marianne.vanremoortel@ugent.be). Use “Application PhD – Basic Funding” as the subject line of your email. Your application must contain at least the following components: 

• a cover letter explaining your profile, your motivation, and one paragraph (approx. 250 words) in which you formulate a relevant research idea; 
• a curriculum vitae; 
• a copy of your Master’s diploma (with transcript if available); 
• a text that demonstrates your research skills (for example a Master’s thesis or scholarly article). 

Based on the submitted applications, the supervisors of this project will compile a shortlist of candidates. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview in which they will be asked to further concretize their ideas for the research. The interviews will take place on 17 September 2026.

Ghent University pursues an equal opportunities and diversity policy and therefore encourages everyone to apply.

For more information regarding this vacancy, you may contact the three supervisors (see email addresses above).