About the Position
KU Leuven invites applications for a full-time postdoctoral position in the social history of material infrastructures, affiliated with the Early Modern History Research Group. The position is funded by the ERC project Regionalizing Infrastructures in Chinese History (Grant #101019509) and focuses on the historical role of infrastructures—such as roads, bridges, and city walls—in imperial integration and local autonomy across China and neighbouring regions (1000–1800). The postdoctoral fellow will conduct comparative research using historical texts, archaeology, and digital tools. This is a collaborative role within a dynamic team exploring critical infrastructure studies, spatial analysis, and digital annotation in a historical context.
Position Details
- Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
- Institution: KU Leuven
- Department: Early Modern History Research Group
- Research Field: Social History of Material Infrastructures
- Location: Leuven, Belgium
- Number of Posts: 1
- Job Type: Full-time, Fixed-term (1 year)
- Start Date (Anticipated): December 1, 2025 (negotiable)
- Working Hours: 38 hours per week
- Salary Range: As per Belgian academic salary scale
- Required Degree/Diploma: PhD
Research Area
- Social and Infrastructure History
- Chinese or East Asian History
- Digital Humanities
- Archaeology and Historical GIS
- Critical Infrastructure Studies
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- PhD in Chinese/East Asian history, archaeology, or related humanities fields
- Strong command of classical Chinese and Chinese historical sources
- Fluency in academic English and Chinese writing
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with GIS, network analysis, text mining, or machine learning
- Interest in comparative historical analysis
- Collaborative mindset and event organisation experience
Key Responsibilities
- Write and publish a comparative article on infrastructure histories
- Collaborate on data collection and digital annotation
- Contribute to workshops, outreach, and team research coordination
- Engage with interdisciplinary tools and digital methods
Application Process
How to Apply:
Apply online via KU Leuven’s job application platform. For queries, contact Prof. Hilde De Weerdt at hilde.deweerdt@kuleuven.be.
Required Documents:
- Cover letter
- Academic CV
- Research statement
- Contact details of references
Important Dates
- Application Opens: June 2025
- Deadline: 31 July 2025, 23:59 CET
- Interview Date: To be announced
Useful Links
- Institution Website: KU Leuven
- Official Notification Link: KU Leuven Vacancies | Postdoctoral position in the social history of material infrastructures
- Apply Now: Submit Your Application
