Last application date: May 1, 2026 23:59
Ghent University: Department LW03 - Department of History
Vrije Universiteit Brussel: Department History, Archeology, Art, Philosophy and Ethics (HARP)
Degree: Master's degree in History or related Humanities discipline
Occupancy rate: 100%
Vacancy type: Research staff
Your tasks
You will devote at least 90% of your time to academic research in preparation for a doctoral dissertation.
The Sarton Centre for History of Science and Humanities (Ghent University) and research group Histories of Art, Architecture and Visual Culture (VISU) (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) invite applications for two fully funded PhD positions within a four year research project on early modern astronomical culture in the Habsburg Netherlands.
The project investigates astronomy in seventeenth century Europe as an intellectual, moral and religious practice, with a particular focus on the priest astronomer Govaart Wendelen (1580–1667). His extensive correspondence and working notes reveal a remarkably transnational scholarly network stretching across the Habsburg Netherlands, France, Italy, the Holy Roman Empire and Rome. This combination of historiographical marginality and dense interconnectedness makes Wendelen an ideal starting point for examining Catholic scholarly networks in the early modern world.
Drawing on manuscript materials, correspondence, observational records and printed works, the project rethinks the relationship between Copernican astronomy, Catholic theology, chronology and moral reform. Alongside these textual sources, it engages with visual and material evidence (including printed diagrams, astronomical instruments, portraits, antiquities and devotional objects) to recover how knowledge was embodied, displayed and authorised in early modern Catholic scholarly environments. It combines intellectual history, history of science, visual culture, and manuscript studies, with attention to the circulation, coordination and authority of knowledge across political, institutional and confessional boundaries.
Within this shared framework, the two PhD projects each follow a distinct but complementary research trajectory:
1. The “Eclipse Project”
This project focuses on Wendelen’s astronomical and chronological work, including his observational practices, manuscript tables and correspondence with other astronomers. It addresses fundamental questions about early modern scientific practice: how observational data were coordinated, how standards emerged and how credibility was established within a fragmented yet highly connected Catholic scholarly world. It contributes to broader debates on scientific coordination, infrastructure and transnational knowledge production.
2. The “Deluge Project”
This project examines Wendelen’s theological, historical and antiquarian work, especially his attempts to reconcile astronomical knowledge with biblical chronology, the Flood narrative and programmes of moral reform. It also considers how knowledge was produced, circulated and legitimised through visual and material means: from printed diagrams and astronomical instruments to portraits, antiquities, and devotional objects. It offers a strong avenue for exploring the place of science within early modern Catholic intellectual culture and the entanglement of astronomy with theology, historiography and the history of the humanities.
Each doctoral student will develop an individual PhD thesis within this shared framework and participate in joint activities such as workshops, conferences and collaborative digital source analysis.
What we are looking for
We seek highly motivated candidates with a strong interest in early modern intellectual history and history of science. Ideally, you have:
a Master’s degree in History or a related humanities discipline (to be obtained by the start of the PhD);
an interest in early modern manuscript and printed sources;
an interest in early modern visual and material culture;
good passive knowledge of Latin, or willingness to acquire it during the first year;
passive knowledge of at least one Romance language (French, Italian or Spanish);
strong command of English (spoken and written);
willingness to conduct archival research abroad and to participate in international academic activities;
basic knowledge of Dutch, or willingness to acquire it during the first year (recommended).
No prior specialisation in the history of astronomy is required; intellectual curiosity, philological sensitivity and methodological openness are essential.
What we can offer you
We offer a full time position as a doctoral fellow: an initial period of 12 months, renewable after positive evaluation to a maximum of 48 months.
The contract can start as early as 01/06/2026.
The fellowship amount corresponds to 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equivalent family circumstances, determined by Team Personnel Administration based on seniority and family status. The fellowship is tax exempt.
https://www.ugent.be/en/work/talent/welcoming-new-staff/salaryscales
Ghent University staff members enjoy various benefits, including 36 days of annual leave for a full time position, training opportunities, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers.
https://www.ugent.be/en/work/talent/considering
Interested?
Please submit the following documents in English:
curriculum vitae
motivation letter (max. 2 pages), clearly indicating which of the two PhD positions you are applying for
writing sample (e.g. MA thesis chapter or research paper)
contact details of one or two academic referees (letters may be requested later)
Send your materials to: steven.vandenbroecke@ugent.be and marlise.rijks@vub.be
Late applications will not be accepted.
Ghent University adheres to an equal opportunities and diversity policy and encourages all qualified candidates to apply.
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Steven Vanden Broecke (steven.vandenbroecke@ugent.be, +32 09/3310251).