KU Leuven is offering a fully funded PhD scholarship in Ancient History and Greco-Roman Egypt through the Faculty of Arts in Leuven, Belgium. Starting in November 2026, the doctoral researcher will contribute to the interdisciplinary MeaGRE (Meat in Greco-Roman Egypt) project, investigating meat consumption through Greek papyri, literary texts and archaeological evidence. The position combines Ancient History, papyrology, Greco-Roman Egypt, and interdisciplinary research, offering funded doctoral training in a collaborative academic environment.
Programme Overview
- Position: PhD / Doctoral Researcher
- Institution: KU Leuven, Belgium
- Department: Ancient History Research Group, Faculty of Arts
- Research Group: Ancient History Research Group
- Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Katelijn Vandorpe and Prof. Dr. Stefan Baumann
- Location: Leuven, Belgium
- Duration: Four years (subject to a positive evaluation after the first year)
- Start Date: November 2026
- Funding: Fully funded full-time PhD scholarship
- Required Degree: Master’s degree in Ancient History, Languages and Literature (Greek and another language, preferably Latin), or an equivalent qualification
About the MeaGRE Project
The Meat in Greco-Roman Egypt (MeaGRE): An Interdisciplinary Approach project examines long-standing assumptions about food consumption in the ancient Mediterranean. Traditional scholarship suggests that ancient diets were predominantly plant-based, with cereals forming the principal dietary staple, while meat was rarely consumed and was generally reserved for elite groups or special occasions.
The MeaGRE project aims to test these assumptions by analysing evidence from Greco-Roman Egypt, combining historical documents with archaeological material to understand:
- Meat production and distribution
- Animal processing practices
- Dietary habits
- Economic organisation
- Institutional influences on food consumption
The project integrates expertise from ancient historians, papyrologists, archaeologists and Egyptologists while collaborating with major research initiatives including Trismegistos+, ICAG, and AGROS.
Research Focus
This Fully Funded PhD in Ancient History and Greco-Roman Egypt, focusing on the following interconnected research areas:
- Interdisciplinary historical research using textual evidence
- Ancient History and Greco-Roman Egypt
- Greek papyrology, Ancient Greek texts, and Latin literary and epigraphic sources
- Ancient food history and meat consumption in antiquity
- Socio-economic history of the ancient Mediterranean
Eligibility and Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
- Master’s degree in Ancient History or Languages and Literature, including Ancient Greek and another language, preferably Latin, or an equivalent qualification.
- Students expected to complete an eligible Master’s degree during the 2025–2026 academic year are also eligible to apply.
- Excellent academic record with consistently strong study results.
- Excellent command of Ancient Greek and familiarity with, or a strong interest in, papyrological research.
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills in Dutch and English.
- Willingness to present research findings at national and international conferences.
- Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research team.
Preferred Qualifications
The following qualifications are considered advantageous but are not essential:
- Knowledge of Ancient Egyptian, particularly Demotic.
- Previous experience or demonstrated interest in Greek papyrology or related research.
Research Responsibilities
The doctoral researcher will contribute to both research and academic activities within the Ancient History Research Group.
- Conduct doctoral research using Greek papyrological, literary and epigraphic sources.
- Collaborate with historians, archaeologists, Egyptologists and project researchers.
- Present research findings at conferences and public academic events.
- Contribute to teaching within the research group.
- Complete at least one examination invigilation duty during each examination period.
- Work closely with the project supervisors and postdoctoral researcher.
Funding and Benefits
The successful applicant will receive a funded doctoral position with academic support throughout the research programme, including access to a [Fully Funded PhD in Ancient History] opportunity.
- Full-time PhD scholarship.
- Four-year doctoral appointment subject to a successful first-year evaluation.
- Expected appointment from November 2026.
- Doctoral training through the Faculty of Arts.
- Opportunity to work within an interdisciplinary research environment.
- Collaboration with established national and international research networks.
Application Process
Applicants must submit their application through the KU Leuven online application portal. All required documents should be combined into one PDF file before submission.
Application Documents
- Academic transcripts for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
- Curriculum Vitae (maximum two pages)
- Cover letter (maximum two pages)
- Major writing sample (Master’s thesis or published paper)
Why This Opportunity Matters
This fully funded PhD offers the opportunity to undertake interdisciplinary research at the intersection of:
- Ancient History and Greco-Roman Egypt
- Greek Papyrology and Classical Languages
- Egyptology and Archaeology
- Ancient Food, Social and Economic History
The project provides advanced doctoral training within an interdisciplinary research environment, offering opportunities to collaborate with leading scholars while contributing original research on food consumption and society in Greco-Roman Egypt.
Important Dates
- Applications Open: Open now
- Application Deadline: 24 August 2026 (23:59 CET)
- Interview Period: First week of September 2026
- Expected Start Date: 1 November 2026
Applications close on 24 August 2026. Click the Apply Now button below to view the official PhD vacancy, check the eligibility criteria, and follow the application instructions.
Related Academic Opportunities
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- Ancient History Research Careers
- Egyptology Research Opportunities
- Academic Jobs in Belgium
Institutional Overview
KU Leuven is a research university in Leuven, Belgium, with a strong academic focus across the humanities, sciences, engineering, health sciences and social sciences. The Faculty of Arts supports research and education in fields including history, languages, literature and cultural studies. Within the Faculty, the Ancient History Research Group studies the Mediterranean world and the Ancient Near East through written sources and interdisciplinary approaches. Researchers collaborate with specialists in archaeology, Egyptology and related disciplines, contributing to research projects that explore historical societies, texts and material evidence from the ancient world.
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