Call for Applications: four PhD positions in Leuven

Call for Applications || Deadline: 1 Sept. || Literary Knowledge, 1890-1950: Modernisms and the Sciences in Europe.

Are you interested in working at a research centre of excellence within one of continental Europe’s top-5 universities in the Arts and Humanities? Does writing a PhD in comparative literature appeal to you?

The MDRN research lab at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven) is awarding six doctoral scholarships within the research programme Literary Knowledge, 1890-1950: Modernisms and the Sciences in Europe. Successful applicants receive a four-year scholarship (doctoraatsbursaal).

The Project

Literary Knowledge, 1890-1950: Modernisms and the Sciences in Europe is funded by the University of Leuven Research Council. This research programme seeks to better understand the epistemic function of Western European literature between 1890 and 1950 by studying literature’s role within a larger economy of knowledge production during the period. More specifically, the programme investigates the ways in which literature related to knowledge stemming from the life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences and the humanities. A large-scale research initiative coherently framed and involving scientists from various disciplines, the programme houses six smaller-scale comparative projects that will result in PhD theses on English, French, German, Italian and Dutch literature’s ties to fields as varied as archaeology, genetics and cosmology (click the titles for more detailed information):

Literary Knowledge, 1890-1950: Modern Etruscans

Literary Knowledge, 1890-1950: Avant-Garde Egypt

Literary Knowledge, 1890-1950: Colonized Citizens

Literary Knowledge, 1890-1950: Eugenic Women

Literary Knowledge, 1890-1950: Popular Astronomy

Literary Knowledge, 1890-1950: Poetic Cosmos

If one of these projects is of interest to you and you think it fits your profile, then you might be the person the programme’s supervisors, professors Sascha Bru, Elke D’hoker, Anke Gilleir, David Martens and Bart Van Den Bossche, are looking for.

MDRN / University of Leuven

When successful you will become a full-time member of the MDRN lab, a research centre of excellence that currently houses about 30 experts in the expanding field of modernism studies. MDRN unites scholars from various languages and disciplines. The lab offers an exciting environment that allows young scholars to pursue their individual research goals, while at the same time offering the benefits of collaborative work. To learn more about working at MDRN as a young scholar, or about MDRN’s many other projects, people and activities, just browse our site. The lab is based at the Arts Faculty of the University of Leuven. Located in a historic city in the heart of Belgium, the university is 20 minutes from Brussels and less than two hours from Paris, London and Amsterdam.

Your Profile

– You hold either an MA in English (major in literature), an MA in literary studies (major in German, Italian or French), or an MA in German, Italian or French studies (major in literature)

– You additionally have a high level of proficiency in at least one of these languages: English, German, French or Italian

– You have a passion for literature and want to become an outstanding scholar

– You are interested in European modernisms, the avant-gardes, and the ties between literature and science (understood in the broadest sense)

– You are willing to communicate on your research at conferences, through publications and on social media

– You are happy to work on campus at least three or four days a week

– You are ready to work in team and to play an active role both within the research programme and the MDRN lab.

What We Offer?

A highly competitive, once renewable two-year scholarship (doctoraatsbursaal), a budget for research-related travel, the prospect of a post-doctoral career.

How to Apply?

To apply simply push the application tool button found on the above-listed pages of the KU Leuven jobsite.

More Information?

With additional questions, please get in touch with the programme’s main supervisor, prof. dr. Sascha Bru: sascha.bru@kuleuven.be.

The university seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, contact diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.