Postdoctoral Position in Manuscript Studies at Leiden University, Netherlands
About Position/Job
The Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) is offering a Postdoctoral Researcher position in Manuscript Studies, which is a collaborative research project “Libraries as Links in Learning: Making the Meaning of Manuscripts (LLLMMM)”. This project investigates how libraries in the 19th and early 20th centuries promoted, preserved, and mediated scholarly access to medieval manuscripts. The role focuses specifically on the canonisation of medieval manuscripts through library practices at Leiden University Library.
This interdisciplinary post combines manuscript studies, book history, and digital humanities, and offers the opportunity to contribute to both archival and database-driven research alongside leading scholars in the field.
Position/Job Details
- Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
- Institution: Leiden University
- Department: Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS)
- Research Field: Manuscript Studies, Book History, Medieval Studies, Digital Humanities
- Location: Leiden, Netherlands
- Number of Post: 1
- Job Type: Academic staff, 0.8 FTE
- Start Date (Anticipated): 1 September 2025 (flexible)
- Working Hours: 30.4 hours per week
- Salary Range: €4,537 – €6,209/month (scale 11, full-time basis)
- Required Degree/Diploma: PhD
Research Area
- Medieval manuscripts and canonisation
- Library and book history (19th–20th century)
- Scholarly networks and knowledge transmission
- Archival research and relational database development
- Middle Dutch and Latin manuscript collections
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- PhD in History, Book History, Classical Studies, Digital Humanities, or Library Studies
- Experience in archival research and manuscript studies
- Interest in the history of the humanities
- Ability to work with databases and metadata
- Proficiency in English and/or Dutch
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of Latin, German, French, or other scholarly languages
- Experience with Middle Dutch or medieval Latin texts
- Background in data visualisation or linked data (optional but welcome)
- Willingness to relocate to the Netherlands for the project duration
Key Responsibilities
- Research and document canonisation processes for medieval manuscripts
- Collect and manage data for a shared relational database
- Publish at least two peer-reviewed articles and contribute to an edited volume
- Participate in regular team meetings and the MEM cluster at LUCAS
- Present findings at national and international conferences
- Contribute to teaching and public outreach (as needed)
Application Process
How to Apply
Submit your application via Leiden University’s online recruitment portal.
Applications sent via email will not be considered.
Required Documents
- Letter of motivation (max. 1000 words) including research ideas
- Curriculum Vitae with referees listed
- Writing sample (PhD thesis or equivalent)
- List of grades/language certificates
- Contact details of two referees (no letters required at application stage)
Important Dates
- Application Opens: May 2025
- Deadline: 30 May 2025
- Interview Dates: 12–13 June 2025 (online)
- Start Date: 1 September 2025
Useful Links
- Institution Website: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en
- Job/Position: Postdoctoral position on project ‘Libraries as Links in Learning: Making the Meaning of Manuscripts’ – Leiden Universi
- Apply Now: Click here
- Project Contact: Dr Irene O’Daly or Dr Bram Caers
- Procedure Contact: Jennifer Dijkman – im-lucas@hum.leidenuniv.nl
