Ghent University invites applications for two four-year PhD positions in Classics and/or Ancient History within the Department of History (Belgium). Both positions are related to Prof. Lieve Van Hoof’s research project “Lobbying in Late Antiquity”, which uses late antique letter collections to investigate how individuals and groups sought to influence official decisions in Late Antiquity (ca. 300-600 A.D.).

Positions

One PhD student, funded by Ghent University’s Special Research Fund (BOF), will focus on the letters of the Roman senator Symmachus, with special attention for social network analysis and what it can teach us about politics in late antique Rome. To do so, you possess a good master’s degree in Classics, History, or another relevant discipline (or will possess one by 1/10/2019). You have an excellent knowledge of Latin, whilst knowledge of ancient Greek constitutes an advantage. And you are familiar, or at least willing to become familiar, with digital humanities, and with digital social network analysis in particular. You have an interest in the literature and political history of (Late) Antiquity. You can work independently as well as in team. Your tasks include: completion of a PhD within four years, the co-organisation of a conference, limited amounts of teaching, and occasional assistance with other academic activities.

One PhD student, funded by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO), will focus on the Greek and Latin letters transmitted in the manuscripts of the acts of the council of Chalcedon, which have thus far received but scanty attention from scholars. To do so, you possess a good master’s degree in Classics, History, or another relevant discipline (or will possess one by 1/10/2019). And you have an excellent knowledge of ancient Greek as well as Latin. You have an interest in the political, cultural and religious history of (Late) Antiquity. You can work independently as well as in team. Your tasks include: completion of a PhD within four years, the co-organisation of a conference, limited amounts of teaching, and occasional assistance with other academic activities.