Fully Funded PhD in Environmental History – Belgium

About the Program

Ghent University invites applications for a fully funded PhD in Environmental History and Biodiversity titled “Ecological Entanglements and Biodiversity in Late Medieval Northern Europe, 1400–1600 (ECOLENT)” at the Department of History. This doctoral position examines how animal and plant biodiversity responded to socio-economic pressures generated by the Hanseatic trade network between 1400 and 1600. The project combines historical research, environmental archaeology, and ecological analysis, using archival manuscripts, medieval financial accounts, botanical texts, and archaeological data. Supervised within the ERC-funded ECOLENT research team led by Dr Sander Govaerts, the research runs for four years and is based in Ghent, Belgium, with an expected start in October 2026. The project offers international research mobility, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strong links to current biodiversity conservation debates.

Program Details

Position: Fully Funded PhD Position / Doctoral Researcher
Institution: Ghent University
Department/Faculty: Department of History
Supervisor: Dr Sander Govaerts
Location: Ghent, Belgium
Start Date (Anticipated): October 2026
Duration: 4 years
Funding: Fully funded doctoral fellowship (tax-free stipend based on Ghent University doctoral salary scale)
Working Hours: Full-time
Required Degree/Diploma: MA degree in History, Archaeology, or Life Sciences

Research Focus/Area

Medieval biodiversity history
Environmental history and historical ecology
Human–environment interactions in Northern Europe
Late Medieval Hanseatic trade networks
Archaeological and archival data analysis
Historical baselines for biodiversity conservation

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Master’s degree (or equivalent) in History, Archaeology, or Life Sciences
Experience working with late medieval or early modern handwritten sources
Excellent command of English

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of historical ecology or environmental archaeology
Ability to work with historical languages (Latin plus regional languages, depending on study area)
Strong academic writing and research skills
Ability to work independently and within an international research team

Key Features of the Program

ERC-funded interdisciplinary research project
Collaboration between history, archaeology, and environmental sciences
International research stays in the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, or Poland
Opportunities for conference participation and academic publishing
Access to PhD training courses at Ghent University and the Posthumus Institute
Work within a project connecting medieval ecology to modern conservation challenges