Interested in curiosity‑driven research and medieval literature? For the ERC project CONSENT, you will study the theme of sexual consent in medieval European narrative songs.

As a PhD candidate you will conduct an independent research project within the CONSENT team. CONSENT examines the theme of sexual consent in medieval European narrative song texts (c.1300-1550). The project aims to unveil a positive, consent-oriented part of late medieval culture, by investigating how song texts helped medieval people to explore positive scenarios for behaviour in sexual relationships and to discuss the importance of mutual consent.

In your project, you will investigate the theme of consent at the courts of the Rhine-Maas-Lorraine region (c. 1300-1430). This region was famous for its sociable song culture, in which no clear separation existed between performer and listener but in which the audience partook in every respect. The love songs stand out for often adding a touch of humour to the more serious themes of the courtly traditions of previous centuries. You will investigate the hypothesis that this sociable song culture gave way to new literary expressions of love and sexuality, which functioned as conversation starters or role-playing games. The list of manuscripts presented by Frank Willaert in 2021 will be your core corpus. In addition, you will explore in what respects the Rhine-Maas-Lorraine song culture was related to the other regions investigated by the CONSENT team, mapping European repertoire connections.

As a PhD candidate, you will conduct your research independently at the Radboud Institute for Culture & History (RICH) under the joint supervision of Prof. Johan Oosterman (thesis supervisor) and Dr Cécile de Morrée (PI of CONSENT). In addition to writing your PhD thesis, you will present your results in written publications and at in-person conferences, both in the Netherlands and abroad. As part of the Radboud Graduate School for the Humanities (GSH), you will also devote part of your time to training and academic services (approximately six months). Candidates are also expected to spend a small number of hours on teaching duties.

For more information about the PhD trajectory in general, please contact Suzanne van de Liefvoort. For questions about this particular research project, please contact Cécile de Morrée. 

Would you like to learn more about what it’s like to pursue a PhD at Radboud University? Visit the page about working as a PhD candidate. 

Does this sound like you?

• You hold a Master’s degree in Dutch Literature, Medieval Studies, Comparative Literature, Cultural History or in a related discipline; or you expect to complete the degree before 1 September 2026 at the latest (in which case your Master’s thesis needs to have been graded before July 2026).
• You are a skilled philologist with an excellent knowledge of the Middle Dutch and Middle Low German language, literature and culture. Knowledge of High German and Middle French will be considered an advantage.
• You are a communicative person who thrives in a collaborative research environment.
• You have some experience in codicological and palaeographical research or are willing to acquire the relevant skills during your PhD project.
• You have an affinity with Digital Humanities, especially with network analysis and visualisation tools (e.g. Nodegoat, Gephi).
• You are able to conduct independent academic research and present your findings in scholarly publications as well as at international conferences, where you will exchange views with your peers.
• You have a good command of both Dutch and English, and excellent writing skills. A good command of German will be considered an advantage. 

What we offer you

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).
• You will receive a starting salary of €3,059 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,881 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University’s primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Where you will be working

The Radboud Institute for Culture & History (RICH) is a research institute dedicated to exploring the present and past through the lenses of culture, history, literature and art. Our researchers collaborate with academic and societal partners to deepen our understanding of the dynamics of an interconnected world and provide context for pressing societal challenges such as inequality and climate change. The project is embedded within the research group ‘Intercultural Dynamics’. Within the project team, you will collaborate with Dr Cécile de Morrée (PI), Prof. Johan Oosterman and a postdoctoral researcher at the department of Dutch Language and Culture. 

Faculty of Arts
The Faculty of Arts is committed to the development of knowledge with a strong scientific and social impact. With over 500 academic and support staff, we teach and conduct research in the fields of art, history, language, culture and communication, using innovative methodologies and collaborating closely across disciplines. Our research is embedded in two research institutes: the Centre for Language Studies (CLS) and the Radboud Institute for Culture & History (RICH). Approximately 2,500 students are currently enrolled with us across our three departments: the Department of History, Art History and Classics, the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures and the Department of Language and Communication. The faculty is characterised by a pleasant and open culture with various opportunities for the professional development of our staff.

Radboud University
At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

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Source : Radboud Universiteit