Postdoctoral Fellow in Languages (Ghent University)

Department Department: LW21 – Department of Languages and Cultures Faculty: Arts and Philosophy Institution: Ghent University Occupancy rate: 100% Vacancy type: Research staff About Ghent University ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 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. Position Overview YOUR TASKS As part of the ERC research project HAIR on Muslim femininities in Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE and connected regions within the research centre Ghent Centre for Arabic, Islamic and Middle East Studies of the Department of Languages and Cultures/Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, your assignment consists of: Research Develop and carry out an original PhD project within the scope of the ERC project Conduct ethnographic and digital fieldwork and analyses of Arabic literary texts Analyse qualitative data and source materials relevant to the HAIR research project and contribute to theoretical debates Prepare and process source materials for computational analysis within the project database Academic Output Write a doctoral dissertation Submit at least 1 article for publication within a peer-reviewed journal Present research at international conferences Collaboration & Participation Actively contribute to the ERC research team Participate in project meetings, workshops, and reading groups Contribute to the organisation of academic events Training & Teaching Participate in doctoral training programmes at Ghent University Limited teaching may be possible (depending on department needs) Project Description WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR For the ERC research group HAIR (Center for Arabic, Islamic and Middle East Studies, Department of Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Arts and Philosophy) we are looking for a m/f/x: 1 Doctoral fellow (100%) – ERC Project “HAIR” (subproject Egypt) YOUR JOB The Department of Languages and Cultures at Ghent University invites applications for 1 fully funded PhD position within the ERC-funded research project: “HAIR – Hair, Identity, Beauty, and the Self in Muslim Contexts: Emotional Landscapes and Changing Femininities Beyond the Veil” (Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Lisa Maria Franke, Ghent Centre for Arabic, Islamic and Middle East Studies, Department of Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, Ghent University) Project Description The ERC project HAIR investigates the cultural, socio-religious, political and emotional meanings of beauty and body politics in Muslim majority contexts, with a particular focus on how beauty and hair practices intersect with identity formation, beauty ideals, gender norms, and selfhood beyond the veil. Combining approaches from Arabic/Islamic studies, anthropology, gender studies, literature studies and Middle Eastern studies, the project explores how beauty and the body can function as a site of negotiation between individual agency, religious discourses, political agendas and societal expectations. The research includes ethnographic fieldwork, literary analyses and digital methodologies across selected contexts in Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE. PhD researchers will develop their own subprojects within the broader thematic and methodological framework of the ERC project: 1 PhD subproject on Egypt Position Description The PhD candidate will conduct independent doctoral research (subproject on Egypt) under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, contributing to the intellectual development of the ERC project. They will be part of an interdisciplinary and international research team and are expected to actively engage in collaborative discussions, workshops, and project activities. Research proposals may focus on gendered body politics in Egypt, including (but not limited to): Generational structures and social power Religious discourses and political agendas Embodied practices and representations Broader issues of identity, beauty, and selfhood Candidate Profile WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR Master’s degree in a relevant field (Arabic Studies, Islamic Studies, Anthropology, Middle Eastern Studies, Gender Studies, Religious Studies, Cultural Studies or related disciplines) Exceptional MA dissertation on contemporary Middle East topics Strong interest in gender, embodiment, literature and Muslim societies Excellent research and writing skills Motivation to conduct fieldwork (including international research stays) Ability to work independently and in a team Excellent communication skills in Arabic (spoken and reading) Excellent academic writing and communication skills in English Dynamic and enthusiastic team player Assets Experience with ethnographic or qualitative research methods in the region Knowledge of regional languages and dialects Familiarity with gender theory, affect/emotions, body studies Experience in or connection to Middle East / Muslim majority societies Experience in digital humanities (online exhibition, digital storytelling, database construction) What We Offer WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU Full-time doctoral fellow position within a prestigious ERC project Initial contract of 12 months, extendable up to 48 months after evaluation Dynamic, international, interdisciplinary research environment High-level academic supervision and training International mobility and networking opportunities Integration into a collaborative research team Start date: 1 December 2026 at the earliest Net fellowship equivalent to AAP salary (tax-exempt under conditions) Additional benefits: training opportunities, 36 days annual leave, bridge days, bicycle allowance, eco vouchers Application Procedure INTERESTED? Send your application to: hair@ugent.be Deadline: 31 July 2026 Required Documents CV + academic transcript (max 2 pages, single PDF) Motivation letter (max 2 pages) Undergraduate and MA transcripts (with translations if needed) Research proposal (max 2000 words + references) including: Project title Rationale and literature positioning Research objectives Methodology and work plan Names and contact details of three referees Overview of study results Samples of published work (if available) Selection timeline: Shortlist notification: 21 August 2026 Interviews: early September 2026 Final decision: shortly after Contact: Prof. Lisa Franke (lisa.franke@ugent.be) Equality Statement Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy. Everyone is encouraged to apply for this position. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Educaloxy

Department

Department: LW21 – Department of Languages and Cultures
Faculty: Arts and Philosophy
Institution: Ghent University
Occupancy rate: 100%
Vacancy type: Research staff

About Ghent University

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 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.

Position Overview

YOUR TASKS

As part of the ERC research project HAIR on Muslim femininities in Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE and connected regions within the research centre Ghent Centre for Arabic, Islamic and Middle East Studies of the Department of Languages and Cultures/Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, your assignment consists of:

Research

Develop and carry out an original PhD project within the scope of the ERC project
Conduct ethnographic and digital fieldwork and analyses of Arabic literary texts
Analyse qualitative data and source materials relevant to the HAIR research project and contribute to theoretical debates
Prepare and process source materials for computational analysis within the project database

Academic Output

Write a doctoral dissertation
Submit at least 1 article for publication within a peer-reviewed journal
Present research at international conferences

Collaboration & Participation

Actively contribute to the ERC research team
Participate in project meetings, workshops, and reading groups
Contribute to the organisation of academic events

Training & Teaching

Participate in doctoral training programmes at Ghent University
Limited teaching may be possible (depending on department needs)

Project Description

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

For the ERC research group HAIR (Center for Arabic, Islamic and Middle East Studies, Department of Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Arts and Philosophy) we are looking for a m/f/x:

1 Doctoral fellow (100%) – ERC Project “HAIR” (subproject Egypt)

YOUR JOB

The Department of Languages and Cultures at Ghent University invites applications for 1 fully funded PhD position within the ERC-funded research project:

“HAIR – Hair, Identity, Beauty, and the Self in Muslim Contexts: Emotional Landscapes and Changing Femininities Beyond the Veil”

(Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Lisa Maria Franke, Ghent Centre for Arabic, Islamic and Middle East Studies, Department of Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, Ghent University)

Project Description

The ERC project HAIR investigates the cultural, socio-religious, political and emotional meanings of beauty and body politics in Muslim majority contexts, with a particular focus on how beauty and hair practices intersect with identity formation, beauty ideals, gender norms, and selfhood beyond the veil. Combining approaches from Arabic/Islamic studies, anthropology, gender studies, literature studies and Middle Eastern studies, the project explores how beauty and the body can function as a site of negotiation between individual agency, religious discourses, political agendas and societal expectations. The research includes ethnographic fieldwork, literary analyses and digital methodologies across selected contexts in Egypt, Lebanon and the UAE. PhD researchers will develop their own subprojects within the broader thematic and methodological framework of the ERC project:

1 PhD subproject on Egypt

Position Description

The PhD candidate will conduct independent doctoral research (subproject on Egypt) under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, contributing to the intellectual development of the ERC project. They will be part of an interdisciplinary and international research team and are expected to actively engage in collaborative discussions, workshops, and project activities.

Research proposals may focus on gendered body politics in Egypt, including (but not limited to):

Generational structures and social power
Religious discourses and political agendas
Embodied practices and representations
Broader issues of identity, beauty, and selfhood

Candidate Profile

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Master’s degree in a relevant field (Arabic Studies, Islamic Studies, Anthropology, Middle Eastern Studies, Gender Studies, Religious Studies, Cultural Studies or related disciplines)
Exceptional MA dissertation on contemporary Middle East topics
Strong interest in gender, embodiment, literature and Muslim societies
Excellent research and writing skills
Motivation to conduct fieldwork (including international research stays)
Ability to work independently and in a team
Excellent communication skills in Arabic (spoken and reading)
Excellent academic writing and communication skills in English
Dynamic and enthusiastic team player

Assets

Experience with ethnographic or qualitative research methods in the region
Knowledge of regional languages and dialects
Familiarity with gender theory, affect/emotions, body studies
Experience in or connection to Middle East / Muslim majority societies
Experience in digital humanities (online exhibition, digital storytelling, database construction)

What We Offer

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Full-time doctoral fellow position within a prestigious ERC project
Initial contract of 12 months, extendable up to 48 months after evaluation
Dynamic, international, interdisciplinary research environment
High-level academic supervision and training
International mobility and networking opportunities
Integration into a collaborative research team
Start date: 1 December 2026 at the earliest
Net fellowship equivalent to AAP salary (tax-exempt under conditions)
Additional benefits: training opportunities, 36 days annual leave, bridge days, bicycle allowance, eco vouchers

Application Procedure

INTERESTED?

Send your application to: hair@ugent.be

Deadline: 31 July 2026

Required Documents

CV + academic transcript (max 2 pages, single PDF)
Motivation letter (max 2 pages)
Undergraduate and MA transcripts (with translations if needed)
Research proposal (max 2000 words + references) including:
- Project title
- Rationale and literature positioning
- Research objectives
- Methodology and work plan
Names and contact details of three referees
Overview of study results
Samples of published work (if available)