About the Position
KU Leuven invites applications for a Fully Funded ERC Postdoctoral Researcher position in Architectural & Economic History at the Department of Architecture, based in Leuven, Belgium. This three-year position (initial 12 months, extendable to 36 months) investigates technological innovation and construction systems in Eurasian delta cities before 1800.
The project examines how societies engineered solutions in marshy urban environments. It combines engineering perspectives with architectural and economic historical analysis across Europe and China.
The research is supervised by Prof. Merlijn Hurx and forms part of the ERC Horizon Europe project URBAN-DELTA, based at Arenberg Castle.
This position offers full salary funding, research travel support, and structured academic development opportunities. Candidates with backgrounds in architectural history, economic history, archaeology, or Chinese studies and strong archival expertise are encouraged to apply. This ERC project directly connects historical innovation research with contemporary climate resilience challenges.
Program / Job Details
- Position: Postdoctoral Researcher (ERC Project URBAN-DELTA)
- Institution: KU Leuven, Belgium
- Department: Department of Architecture
- Research Field: Architectural & Economic History
- Supervisor: Prof. Merlijn Hurx
- Location: Leuven, Belgium
- Number of Positions: 2
- Job Type: Full-time Postdoc
- Start Date: June 2026 (negotiable)
- Working Hours: 1.0 FTE
- Salary / Funding: Fully funded ERC Horizon Europe position with benefits
This fully funded Postdoctoral Researcher position in Eurasian delta innovation history at KU Leuven, Belgium, is open for two candidates starting June 2026.
Research Area
- Construction techniques in marshy urban environments
- Market structures in pre-industrial construction industries
- Archival, archaeological, and quantitative methodologies
- Comparative study of Po, Rhine–Scheldt–Meuse, and Yangtze deltas before 1800
- The project develops a new framework for understanding how technological innovation emerged historically in vulnerable delta regions.
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- PhD in Architecture, Architectural History, Economic History, Archaeology, or Chinese Studies
- Excellent academic English writing skills
- Relevant language proficiency (Chinese, Dutch, and/or Italian, depending on project focus)
- Strong archival research experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Peer-reviewed publications or monograph
- Experience with qualitative and quantitative historical methods
- Ability to conduct international field or archival research
- Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct independent archival and historical research within the ERC project
- Collaborate with international research teams across Europe and China
- Publish peer-reviewed articles and present at global conferences
- Contribute to the supervision of PhD candidates
- Support departmental research activities and knowledge dissemination
Application Process
Applications must be submitted via the official KU Leuven online job portal.
Required Documents:
- Comprehensive CV with full publication list
- Two-page biosketch outlining project fit
- Two-page summary of three key publications or achievements
- Writing sample (PhD chapter or journal article)
- Indication of preferred project focus (PD1 or PD2)
Important Dates
- Applications Open: February 2026
- Application Deadline: 16 March 2026 (23:59 UTC)
- Interview Dates: 30–31 March 2026
- Expected Start: June 2026
Useful Links / Internal Linking
- Official Institution Website: KU Leuven
- Job Announcement: Postdoctoral researcher, ERC project URBAN-DELTA
- Online application portal
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