Institution: Ghent University Department: Department of History (LW03) Position Type: Research Staff (Doctoral Fellow) Employment: Full-time (100%) Required Degree: Master in History Application Deadline: 17 August 2026, 23:59 About Ghent University Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, and technical and social services on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With each of its 11 faculties and more than 100 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes that are grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its employees as well as its students. About the Research Project You will conduct academic research in preparation of a doctoral dissertation. The dissertation fits within the research project “Language Struggle: National Movements in the Streets of Belgium, 1951–1993.” Historians have established that Belgium’s national cleavage has generated far less collective action than either its ideological-religious or socio-economic cleavages. However, this view of relatively weak nationalist mobilisation is largely based on analyses of the period before 1950. In doing so, historians have often overlooked the years between the Royal Question and the Saint Michael’s Agreement, a period marked by several intense waves of nationalist agitation. Flemish, Walloon, Brussels Francophone, and Belgian nationalists took to the streets to advance their demands, and these mobilisations frequently resulted in confrontations. Both domestically and internationally, this agitation became known as the “language struggle,” although it encompassed much more than linguistic issues alone. It was only with the federalisation of the Belgian state that these conflicts gradually subsided. To date, a comprehensive and systematic analysis of this language struggle remains lacking. The aim of this project is to address this gap. The doctoral researcher will systematically map nationalist agitation in post-war Belgium, focusing on: Spatial and temporal distribution of collective action Mobilisation strategies Underlying networks Interactions between different movements Repertoires of contention employed Such a comprehensive analysis has only recently become feasible owing to newly available archives from the Belgian police services and new techniques for systematically processing digital source corpora. Computational methods—including GIS mapping, network analysis, and corpus linguistics—will be used to identify patterns and systemic trends that would remain invisible through traditional close reading alone. Your Tasks Conduct academic research leading to a doctoral dissertation. Contribute to the research project “Language Struggle: National Movements in the Streets of Belgium, 1951–1993.” Systematically analyse nationalist mobilisation in post-war Belgium using historical and computational research methods. What We Are Looking For The candidate holds a Master’s degree in History or another Master’s degree demonstrating a clear interest in historical research. Candidates who have submitted their Master’s thesis this summer are also encouraged to apply. Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative socio-historical research methods. Experience in the systematic processing of large source corpora is considered an asset. Familiarity with the recent history of Belgium. Familiarity with methods from the digital humanities or willingness to acquire such expertise. Excellent research qualities, including intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, accuracy, independence, and the ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team. Excellent command of Dutch, French, and English. What We Can Offer You A full-time appointment as a doctoral fellow consisting of an initial 12-month period, which, after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a maximum of 48 months. Participation in the Modern and Contemporary History Research Group at Ghent University and collaboration with the Ghent Centre for Digital Humanities (Ghent CDH). Strong integration into both national and international research communities. The opportunity to obtain a doctoral degree in History, supported by an individualised training programme within the Ghent University Doctoral School of Arts, Humanities and Law. A fellowship amount equal to 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant meeting the doctoral fellowship regulations is exempt from personal income tax. Staff benefits including:The exact starting date is negotiable, preferably no later than 1 October 2026. Extensive training and professional development opportunities 36 days of paid annual leave Bicycle commuting reimbursement Eco-vouchers Additional employee benefits Interested? Please submit the following documents: CV Copy of your diploma (if already available) Motivation letter Short research design (maximum one page) Send your application to: Antoon.vrints@ugent.be Late applications will not be accepted. As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position. Application Deadline Applications close 17 August 2026 at 23:59. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Academicoxy

Institution: Ghent University
Department: Department of History (LW03)
Position Type: Research Staff (Doctoral Fellow)
Employment: Full-time (100%)
Required Degree: Master in History
Application Deadline: 17 August 2026, 23:59

About Ghent University

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, and technical and social services on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities.

With each of its 11 faculties and more than 100 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes that are grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its employees as well as its students.

About the Research Project

You will conduct academic research in preparation of a doctoral dissertation. The dissertation fits within the research project “Language Struggle: National Movements in the Streets of Belgium, 1951–1993.”

Historians have established that Belgium’s national cleavage has generated far less collective action than either its ideological-religious or socio-economic cleavages. However, this view of relatively weak nationalist mobilisation is largely based on analyses of the period before 1950. In doing so, historians have often overlooked the years between the Royal Question and the Saint Michael’s Agreement, a period marked by several intense waves of nationalist agitation.

Flemish, Walloon, Brussels Francophone, and Belgian nationalists took to the streets to advance their demands, and these mobilisations frequently resulted in confrontations. Both domestically and internationally, this agitation became known as the “language struggle,” although it encompassed much more than linguistic issues alone. It was only with the federalisation of the Belgian state that these conflicts gradually subsided.

To date, a comprehensive and systematic analysis of this language struggle remains lacking. The aim of this project is to address this gap. The doctoral researcher will systematically map nationalist agitation in post-war Belgium, focusing on:

Spatial and temporal distribution of collective action
Mobilisation strategies
Underlying networks
Interactions between different movements
Repertoires of contention employed

Such a comprehensive analysis has only recently become feasible owing to newly available archives from the Belgian police services and new techniques for systematically processing digital source corpora. Computational methods—including GIS mapping, network analysis, and corpus linguistics—will be used to identify patterns and systemic trends that would remain invisible through traditional close reading alone.

Your Tasks

Conduct academic research leading to a doctoral dissertation.
Contribute to the research project “Language Struggle: National Movements in the Streets of Belgium, 1951–1993.”
Systematically analyse nationalist mobilisation in post-war Belgium using historical and computational research methods.

What We Are Looking For

The candidate holds a Master’s degree in History or another Master’s degree demonstrating a clear interest in historical research. Candidates who have submitted their Master’s thesis this summer are also encouraged to apply.
Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative socio-historical research methods. Experience in the systematic processing of large source corpora is considered an asset.
Familiarity with the recent history of Belgium.
Familiarity with methods from the digital humanities or willingness to acquire such expertise.
Excellent research qualities, including intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, accuracy, independence, and the ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team.
Excellent command of Dutch, French, and English.

What We Can Offer You

A full-time appointment as a doctoral fellow consisting of an initial 12-month period, which, after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a maximum of 48 months.
Participation in the Modern and Contemporary History Research Group at Ghent University and collaboration with the Ghent Centre for Digital Humanities (Ghent CDH).
Strong integration into both national and international research communities.
The opportunity to obtain a doctoral degree in History, supported by an individualised training programme within the Ghent University Doctoral School of Arts, Humanities and Law.
A fellowship amount equal to 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant meeting the doctoral fellowship regulations is exempt from personal income tax.
Staff benefits including:The exact starting date is negotiable, preferably no later than 1 October 2026.
- Extensive training and professional development opportunities
- 36 days of paid annual leave
- Bicycle commuting reimbursement
- Eco-vouchers
- Additional employee benefits