Postdoctoral researcher

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 80 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.

• Identifying wild animals and plants in printed sources (medieval financial accounts, early botanical works etc.), archaeological reports, and unpublished archival handwritten sources in various European archives, libraries and (digital) archives. The candidate can choose to either focus on plant and/or animal diversity in one specific region or on comparing particular biotic communities between two or more regions. The exact scope of the research will be determined jointly by the post‑doctoral researcher and principal investigator.
• Doing research abroad (the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and/or Poland; depending on the region(s) selected for research) for longer periods of time. Main place of employment is Ghent University, History Department, Campus Ufo, Sint‑Pietersnieuwstraat 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
• Analysing data on wild fauna and flora in their proper ecological and historical context.
• Publishing the research results in international peer‑reviewed journals, single‑authored and/or co‑authored with other members of the ECOLENT team (the principal investigator and three PhD students).
• Contribute to setting up an international research network on the history of biodiversity during the medieval and early modern period.
• Help disseminate the research results among non‑academic stakeholders.
• Co‑organisation of ECOLENT team meetings and workshops.
• Your research is part of a team effort, but you will also be given the freedom to develop your own voice within the project.

• You hold a thesis‑based doctorate in History, Archeology or the Life Sciences (PhD students that will submit the final version of their PhD before October 1, 2026 can apply).
• Experience in working with handwritten historical sources from the late medieval or early modern period, proven by (un) published studies or theses.
• Knowledge about historical ecology and/or environmental archaeology is recommended.
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent knowledge of English in order to function as part international team, and contribute to publication of research results in international.
• Good passive knowledge (reading) of the language(s) used in the historical sources you will work on. Depending on whether you prefer to focus on a particular region, or on a comparison between different regions, this Dutch, French and Latin for Flanders and Guelders, German and Latin for Brunswick‑Lüneburg, German, Danish and Latin for Schleswig, German and Latin for East‑Prussia, and Polish and Latin for Kraków Voivodeship.

• We offer you a contract of definite duration for the period of one year. This contract can be extended for another year if you receive a positive evaluation.
• Your contract will start on 1/10/2026 at the earliest.
• A chance to do research as part of an interdisciplinary team, and in an international research environment.
• An opportunity to connect ecological processes in the distant past with current ecological conservation challenges.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full‑time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers.  for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.

Apply online through the e‑recruitment system before the Final date to receive applications (March 31, 2026). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.

Your application must include the following documents:

• In…