THE RESEARCH UNIT ‘HENRI PIRENNE INSTITUTE FOR MEDIEVAL STUDIES’ (GHENT UNIVERSITY) HAS A POSITION AVAILABLE FOR A:

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER
(FULL-TIME PRE-DOCTORAL RESEARCHER)

Project description

Ritual scripting as work in progress: codifying rituals of conflict and reconciliation in the medieval West (tenth-twelfth centuries)

This project will investigate the scripting of rituals of conflict and reconciliation in the central Middle Ages (tenth-early twelfth centuries). So far, modes of symbolic behavior relating to separation from, or (re-)integration into, a social community (e.g. excommunication rituals, interdict rituals, ritual cursings, reintegration rites, ordination rites) have been studied mostly from a perspective that considers the conception/consolidation of scripts and their application separately. By looking at three sets of primary sources (ritual handbooks such as pontificals and ordinals; canon law collections; and monastic customaries) that originated or were used in the archdiocese of Reims, and carefully mapping the evolution of the aforementioned scripts, the pre-doctoral researcher will be able to formulate a context-conscious, dialectical approach to these scripts’ introduction and development.

This research project is funded by the Special Research Fund of Ghent University.

Professional environment

Medieval studies at Ghent University cover a wide range of subjects and methodological approaches. Intensive exchanges within the Department of History and the Henri Pirenne Institute for Medieval Studies, and with the international academic community, create a stimulating environment for innovative research. Research on the early and central Middle Ages currently focuses on the tenth to early twelfth centuries, with scholars involved in the study of a wide range of subjects including reform, conflict management, commemorative practices, material aspects of communication, and ritual and performance (http://www.resoma.ugent.be). This project will also benefit from the support of the International Research Network Conventus (http://www.conventus.ugent.be).

Qualifications

The candidate:
- has a Master's degree in History or a Master’s degree with demonstrable interest in Medieval History;
- has experience with Latin sources of the Middle Ages;
- has active knowledge of Dutch and/or French and/or English (one of the latter two is sufficient) and can read publications in at least French and English. He/she is also willing to learn basic Dutch during his/her employment at Ghent University (introductory courses are available);
- is an enthusiastic and inventive team player and must be willing to travel abroad for conferences, meetings, etc.;
- is willing to prepare, and finish, a doctoral dissertation on the subject of the project within four years.

Offer

- A 2-year contract (renewable for 2 years) as a full time scientific staff member of Ghent University (scholarship starting from around 1700 euro net./month);
- Contact with national and international research groups;
- A friendly, dynamic environment for research;
- Opportunity to follow an individualized PhD programme at the UGent Doctoral School of Arts, Humanities and Law or the Doctoral School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, including language courses;
- Extra benefits: free public transport between home and work place; biking fee; access to university sports facilities and university restaurants.