The University of Groningen is offering a fully funded PhD position (1.0 FTE) in the field of Late Medieval and Early Modern Urban History, with a focus on urban governance in the IJssel region between 1450 and 1600. The project is hosted within the Centre for Historical Research, Faculty of Arts, and will be supervised by Dr. Arie van Steensel.
This research will investigate how local authorities and citizens in the towns of Deventer, Kampen, Zwolle, and Zutphen shaped political and social life during this period. It will combine traditional archival research, working with sources in Middle and Early Modern Dutch, with digital approaches such as Transkribus and geospatial analysis. The project contributes to ongoing scholarly debates on governance, power relations, and urban well-being.
Position Details
- Role: PhD Candidate / Doctoral Researcher
- Institution: University of Groningen – Faculty of Arts, Centre for Historical Research
- Supervisor: Dr. Arie van Steensel
- Location: Groningen, The Netherlands
- Start date: January 2026
- Duration: 4 years (full-time)
- Salary: €3,059–€3,881 per month (gross), plus 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus
- Workload: 1.0 FTE
Research Areas
- Late Medieval and Early Modern Urban History
- Governance and politics in the Low Countries
- Archival studies (Middle and Early Modern Dutch)
- Application of digital humanities (Transkribus, GIS, geospatial methods)
Candidate Profile
Minimum requirements:
- Master’s degree in History (or related discipline, preferably medieval/early modern)
- Strong command of English and Dutch (both spoken and academic writing)
- Archival research skills, including palaeography
Preferred qualifications:
- Familiarity with Middle/Early Modern Dutch manuscripts
- Knowledge of German
- Experience with digital humanities tools (e.g., Transkribus, GIS)
- Analytical and methodological strengths
- Motivation to follow the N.W. Posthumus Institute training programme
Benefits of the Position
- A fully funded PhD with competitive salary and benefits
- Structured training through the N.W. Posthumus Institute
- Teaching opportunities (0.4 FTE from the second year)
- Support for conference participation and dissemination of research
- Membership of a dynamic international academic community
Application Guidelines
Applications must include:
- A motivation letter (up to 1,000 words)
- Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages) with contact details of two referees
- Master’s diploma and transcript
- A copy of the Master’s thesis or another academic writing sample
- If the degree is not yet completed: a statement from the supervisor confirming progress and expected completion
Timeline
- Applications open: 24 September 2025
- Deadline: 1 October 2025 (23:59 CET)
- Interview invitations: by 5 November 2025
- Interviews: second week of November 2025
- Start date: January 2026 (with consideration for visa requirements)
Application Portal
Applications must be submitted via the University of Groningen online application system.
https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/work-with-us/job-opportunities/?details=00347-02S000BH9P
https://www.rug.nl/
https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/work-with-us/job-opportunities/?details=00347-02S000BH9P