Doctoral fellow - Department of Translation, Interpreting and Communication

Last application date Nov 18, 2025 23:59

Department LW22 - Department of Translation, Interpreting and Communication

Degree Master of Arts in Translation Studies or a field of study relevant to the project. This includes Literary Studies, Comparative Literature, Language and Literature, Cultural Studies, History, Philosophy, etc.

Occupancy rate 100%

Vacancy type Research staff

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a vibrant community, with 11 faculties and over 85 departments providing cutting-edge, research-based programmes across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines. With more than 15,000 employees, it is actively engaged every day in education and research, management and administration, and a wide range of technical and social services. As one of the region’s largest and most dynamic employers, it offers excellent career opportunities.

YOUR TASKS

• The research group Translation and Culture (TRACE) at Ghent University seeks to recruit a PhD fellow (doctoral candidate) for four years (full time).
• TRACE studies translation as a literary, historical, and cultural phenomenon, with particular attention to the ideological, political, and philosophical contexts in which translations are produced. Its research is situated at the intersection of translation, literary, and (inter)cultural studies, and examines how translations and adaptations have shaped modern culture from the Enlightenment to the present.
• The position is funded as a predoctoral fellowship, meaning that the successful candidate will receive a full-time grant with the specific purpose of preparing, conducting, and completing a doctoral dissertation at Ghent University.
• We invite applicants to propose an original research project on translation between English and Spanish (in either direction: English–Spanish or Spanish–English). The proposal should fall within the broad field of TRACE, and we particularly welcome projects engaging with one or more of the following areas:
  • Philosophy
  • The novel of ideas from the twentieth century onwards
  • Film and ideology
  • Feminism and post-feminism
  • Other relevant themes
• Multilingual projects that include Dutch, French, or German, together with Spanish and English are likewise encouraged.
• As a doctoral researcher, you will be working towards a dissertation, and will be expected to present and publish your work in relevant international venues. You may also be requested to take on limited teaching and administrative duties. At least 90% of your assignment will be spent on academic research in preparation of a doctoral dissertation.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a Master’s degree in a field of study relevant to the project. This includes Translation Studies, Literary Studies, Comparative Literature, Language and Literature, Cultural Studies, History, Philosophy, etc.
• You have written an excellent Master’s thesis.
• You have an excellent command of English and Spanish.
• You show strong potential as a future researcher, and you combine strong analytic skills with a gift for communication in a range of contexts. You can work independently and as part of a research team.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which, after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
• Your contract will start on 1 February 2026 at the earliest.
• The fellowship amount is 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 that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• 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.Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.
• You will be based at Ghent University’s Mercator Campus.

You will be conducting your research under the supervision of Prof. Jeroen Vandaele and Prof. Lieve Jooken. You can find their research profiles at https://research.flw.ugent.be/en/jkm.vandaele and https://research.flw.ugent.be/en/lieve.jooken

An advisory doctoral committee of experts internal and external to the Department and the University will also be appointed to guide you through your project.

You will pursue your research in the context of the TRACE (Translation & Culture) Research Group (https://research.flw.ugent.be/trace), which offers a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment for researchers. Expertise in the centre includes Translation History, Area Studies, Journalism Studies, Literary Studies, Cultural Studies, and Postcolonial Studies. Researchers affiliated with TRACE work across multiple languages (esp. English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Russian, German). The research group is part of the Department of Translation, Interpreting and Communication within the University’s Faculty of Arts & Philosophy.

For further details regarding conditions of employment as a doctoral candidate, please refer to https://www.ugent.be/en/work/phd/bursaryabc.htm

Ghent (pop. 260,000+) is a vibrant historic city, which offers a unique blend of medieval charm and modern innovation. Known for its well-preserved architecture, it is home to a lively cultural scene, which includes numerous festivals, art exhibits, and music events throughout the year. The city’s thriving tech industry, alongside Ghent University, attracts an international workforce. Ghent offers an extensive pedestrianised historic centre, a wide network of cycling paths, and efficient public transport. Ghent is known for its high quality of life.

INTERESTED?

Send your cv, a copy of your diploma (if already in your possession), relevant transcripts, and a motivation letter by e-mail to supervisors Lieve Jooken ([emailprotected]) AND Jeroen Vandaele ([emailprotected]) by 18 November 2025 at the latest. We do not accept late applications. The e-mail subject line for applications should start with “TRACE26” (written as one word).

Please note:

• Your CV should include the contact details of two academic referees who can speak to your qualifications.
• Your diploma should clearly state the required degree (at least an MA). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than English or one of Belgium’s national languages (Dutch, French or German), please add a translation. Please also include transcripts of your results, merging them with your diploma into one pdf.
• Your motivation letter (in pdf format) should outline your reasons for applying and how you fit the job description. It should also include one paragraph outlining your research project proposal.
• Also include a single-authored piece of academic writing (a thesis or chapter from a thesis, a paper, etc.) (max. 8,000 words).

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview, which will give them an opportunity to discuss their project, its feasibility, their qualifications and their ambitions. Upon selection for the interview, the shortlisted applicants will be asked to submit an additional document at least one week prior to the interview:

• A brief proposal in which you outline how you might tackle the research project above (max. 750 words). The document should establish a state of the art as you understand it, your research questions, and discuss a small number of key references, concepts and/or methods.

Interviews are expected to be organised in December 2025. The interviewers will include the two supervisors. For applicants unable to travel, an online interview will be organised. Please feel free to signal any accessibility concerns.

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for the position.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact prof. Lieve Jooken ([emailprotected]) and prof. Jeroen Vandaele ([emailprotected]).