About the Program
Ghent University is offering a fully funded PhD position in Buddhist Manuscript Studies, as part of the prestigious ERC-funded project “Gandhāra Corpora” led by Professor Charles DiSimone. This four-year doctoral fellowship explores the development of Buddhist textuality and manuscript networks in Greater Gandhāra (covering present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Northern India) during the first millennium CE. Based in the Department of Languages and Cultures, the successful applicant will develop an original dissertation within the scope of the project, working closely with newly discovered manuscripts in Sanskrit and related traditions. The position includes collaborative research, digitisation, database development, and participation in the Ghent Centre for Buddhist Studies and the Centre for South Asian Studies. This is a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge manuscript materials, gain experience in philology and digital humanities, and contribute to global scholarship in Buddhist Studies.
Program Details
- Position: Fully-funded Doctoral Fellow (PhD)
- Institution: Ghent University
- Department/Faculty: Department of Languages and Cultures (LW21)
- Supervisor: Professor Charles DiSimone
- Location: Ghent, Belgium
- Start Date (Anticipated): 1 October 2025
- Duration: 4 years (initial 12-month contract, renewable)
- Funding: Full scholarship (equivalent to net AAP salary, tax-free)
- Working Hours: Full-time (100%)
- Required Degree/Diploma: Master’s degree in Buddhist Studies, Indology, Religious Studies, South Asian Studies, Sanskrit, or a related field
Research Focus/Area
- Buddhist manuscript cultures of Greater Gandhāra
- Sūtra literature and early textual transmission
- Sanskrit and historical languages of Buddhism
- Philological and paleographical research
- Digital humanities and manuscript digitisation
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- MA degree in a relevant field
- Proficiency in Sanskrit
- Strong background in Buddhist textual studies
- Capacity for independent research
- Excellent English communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of Classical Chinese, Classical Tibetan, Pali, Gāndhārī, or Bactrian
- Familiarity with Brahmic scripts and paleography
- Interest in cultural preservation or archaeology
- Experience or interest in digital archives and databases
Key Features of the Program
- Work with newly discovered manuscripts from Gandhāra
- International collaboration with scholars and institutions in Europe and Asia
- Integration into the Ghent Centre for Buddhist Studies & South Asian Studies
- Hands-on training in digitisation, database work, and manuscript cataloguing
- Opportunity to travel, publish, and present at international conferences
- Excellent research environment in the vibrant city of Ghent
- Full access to staff benefits, training, and leave entitlements
Application Process
How to Apply:
Submit all application materials in PDF format by email to:
Prof. Charles DiSimone: Charles.DiSimone@UGent.be
CC: Project Coordinator Els Bourgeois: Els.Bourgeois@UGent.be
Subject: LAST NAME Gandhāra Corpora PHD 2025
Required Documents:
- CV and transcript of records (BA + MA)
- MA diploma (if available)
- Cover letter detailing your motivation
- Research statement (max. 1500 words) outlining potential project ideas
- Up to 2 academic writing samples
- Contact details for 2–3 referees (letters not required at this stage)
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview shortly after the deadline.
Important Dates
- Applications Open: July 2025
- Deadline: 15 August 2025
- Interviews: Late August 2025
- Position Starts: 1 October 2025 (negotiable)
Where to Apply
- University Website: Universiteit Gent
- Project Info: Doctoral fellow — Ghent University
- Apply : apply via email [Prof. Charles DiSimone: Charles.DiSimone@UGent.be, CC: Project Coordinator Els Bourgeois: Els.Bourgeois@UGent.be]
Stay updated on PhD opportunities and academic careers: HigherJobz
