L'Agenda des Médiévistes

Project description

The research units History of Church and Theology (Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies) and Latin Literature (Faculty of Arts) of the University of Leuven (KU Leuven) invite applications for a 4-year PhD position in the field of Latin Patristics. The successful candidate will conduct research within the framework of the research project ‘An early witness to the ‘construction’ of (Semi-)Pelagianism? Critical edition, content analysis, and reception study of the Ps.- Augustinian Hypomnesticon’, supervised by Prof. Anthony Dupont and Prof. Gert Partoens.
Running from 2023 to 2029, the project studies the Hypomnesticon contra Pelagianos et Caelestianos. This late antique treatise consists of six books, which systematically refute the teachings of so-called (Semi-)Pelagianism. The anonymous author heavily depended on Augustine’s anti-Pelagian treatises and on the latter’s teachings about original sin, grace and predestination. Despite its clear impact and widespread reception, the work has received little attention in scholarship.

The project consists of two parts:

1. Analysis of the work’s manuscript transmission and preparation of a new critical edition (to be published in the Series Latina of the Corpus Christianorum). This part of the project has started in 2023 (drs. Lode Moens, supervisors: G. Partoens, M. Giani (University of Milan), A. Dupont).
2. Study of the authorship, historical context, sources, structural and rhetorical aspects, theological argumentation, and Medieval reception of the work. This part of the project constitutes the object of the PhD vacancy.

More information on the project: https://research.kuleuven.be/portal/en/project/3H230287

Objectives

The PhD candidate will be based within the research unit History of Church and Theology or the research unit Latin Literature at KU Leuven, and supervised by Prof. Anthony Dupont, Prof. Gert Partoens, and Dr. Nicolas De Maeyer. The candidate’s main objective is to produce a dissertation (in English or French) relating to the research questions formulated in the second part of the project description. Additionally, the candidate will disseminate research findings through academic publications and conference papers. Participation in teaching duties and administrative tasks at KU Leuven will also form part of the position.

What KU Leuven offers

• Full-time, four-year PhD position, with a competitive salary in line with KU Leuven’s regulations (approx. 2.600 – 2.700 EUR net/month).
• Access to KU Leuven’s research infrastructure, including libraries, archives, and academic networks.
• Opportunities to engage with an interdisciplinary community of scholars and participate in national and international conferences.
• Position start date: early 2026 (subject to the candidate’s availability and KU Leuven’s HR procedures).

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as Latin literature, ancient history, theology, or religious studies.
• Strong knowledge of Latin (language and literature), with demonstrated proficiency in reading, interpreting, and critically analyzing Latin texts.
• Solid knowledge of early Christian thought and literature, with a particular focus on the intellectual and theological traditions of Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages.
• Strong command of English and/or French. Reading proficiency in German and Italian. Knowledge of Dutch is an added advantage.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Commitment to contribute to the academic community at KU Leuven through teaching assistance and other activities.
• Candidates must have their principal residence in Belgium for the entire duration of the appointment.

How to apply

The application must include (in a single PDF)

• Letter of motivation (max. 3 pp.)
• Curriculum vitae and (if applicable) list of publications
• Copy of MA-degree (including course grades)
• Names and contact information of two academic references

Applications should be sent to Prof. Anthony Dupont and Prof. Gert Partoens by 15 December 2025 at the latest. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in an online interview.

Source : KU Leuven

Opening of two postdoctoral positions within the ERC Consolidator project PROXISENSES – Entangled Histories of the Proximal Senses (1350-1650): A Mediterranean History of (Subjective) Knowledge (application deadline: 14 November 2025; start date: 1 January 2026 [negotiable]). This project offers an innovative approach to the history of science by placing the so-called proximal senses of taste, touch, and smell at the core of premodern scientific and cultural practices. The first position is open in the field of ottoman history, and the second in digital literary and linguistic studies.

In addition, please note that a call for three fully funded PhD positions will be launched in spring 2026, with the positions starting in September 2026 (also negotiable). These doctoral projects will focus, respectively, on the history of salt, grapes, and fish in the Mediterranean. I would also be very grateful if you could inform potential candidates. 

Informal inquiries about all positions are welcome.Further details can be found in the attached file.

Call for applications 1 : ici

Call for applications 2 : ici

L’équipe QuaDiHum recrute un chercheur ou une checheuse postdoctoral(e) en histoire médiévale pour une durée de 18 mois à partir de janvier 2026.

Nous cherchons un ou une spécialiste de l’hagiographie dans le cadre du projet de recherche « HagioQuant : Une approche quantitative globale de l’hagiographie médiévale latine » (financement ARC de la FWB), qui a pour but d’étudier la littérature hagiographique de l’Occident médiéval latin de façon globale, en rassemblant, préparant et analysant à l’aide de méthodes quantitatives un corpus de plus de 4.000 textes.

Il s’agit d’un recrutement en mobilité internationale : la personne engagée doit avoir défendu sa thèse de doctorat il y a au plus huit ans, et ne pas avoir résidé ou exercé son activité principale (emploi, études, …) en Belgique pendant plus de 24 mois au cours des trois dernières années.

La personne engagée sera principalement chargée d’analyser les résultats obtenus à l’aide des méthodes quantitatives (elle ne sera pas chargée de développer ou d’implémenter ces méthodes, mais bien de dépouiller, interpréter et étudier les résultats produits) et d’effectuer la numérisation d’éditions scientifiques de textes hagiographiques à l’aide d’outils mis à disposition par l’équipe de recherche.

Le dossier de candidature doit m’être transmis le 15/11/2025 au plus tard sous format électronique à l’adresse sebastien.de.valeriola@ulb.be. N’hésitez pas à m’écrire si vous avez des questions à ce sujet. Voir aussi les fiches de poste en français (https://quadihum.ulb.be/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025_postdoc_HagioQuant_FR.pdf) et en anglais (https://quadihum.ulb.be/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025_postdoc_HagioQuant_FR.pdf).

Venez travailler avec nous à Bruxelles, au sein d’une équipe assez neuve mais très dynamique !