Postdoctoral researcher in Literary Studies

Postdoctoral researcher in Literary Studies (ERC project AFROPRESS)

Category: Academic Staff & Researchers

1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike.

At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located.

Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again.

Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.

The Faculty of Languages and Humanities, Department Linguistics and Literary Studies, research group Centre for Literary and Intermedial Crossings, is looking for a postdoctoral researcher.

More concretely your work package contains:

• Conducting individual research on literary, cultural, political or student magazines in Uganda (or, by extension, East Africa), especially in the period 1945-68 and with particular attention to transnational exchanges. This will require travel to Uganda and elsewhere to gather archival and empirical data;
• Contributing to the delivery of the ERC project’s output, including conference papers, journal articles and the coordination of a special issue;
• Collaborating with other team members, e.g. on the organisation of workshops, conferences and other related academic events;
• Submitting a funding proposal for a (personal) follow-up mandate (e.g. FWO);
• Assisting the Principal Investigator (PI), e.g. in administrative and teaching matters.

For this function, ourBrussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene)will serve as your home base.

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

You have a doctoral degree in Literary Studies. If you have completed your PhD but not yet had your viva, you may also be considered;

• You have an excellent proficiency in English, written and spoken;
• You are able to work collaboratively as a team.

Desirable criteria, but not required:

• You have experience with archival methods or empirical methods;
• You are familiar with Uganda’s languages other than English.
• As a (non-)EEA national, meet the conditions for obtaining a valid permit for VUB and comply with the VUB residence requirements. More info here .

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered a contract, for an assignment of1FTE, for24months (extendable, on condition of the positive evaluation of the research activities), with planned starting date01/05/2027.

You’ll receive a salary linked to one of the scales set by the government.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.

As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:

• Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
• An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave(based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
• Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
• Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike;
• A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
• Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques;
• Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps;
• The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learni