"Senior researcher in modernist genetic criticism and Joyce studies"

The Department of Literature in the Faculty of Arts is looking for a full-time (100%) senior researcher for three years in the field of modernist genetic criticism and Joyce studies.

Position

• Your main task will be collaborating on the ERC Advanced Grant project ‘MARGINAL’ (Modern Authors Reading: Genesis in Authors’ Libraries). The project investigates the reading habits of three modernist writers (Virginia Woolf, James Joyce and Samuel Beckett) and examines which books they read, how they read, what records they made of this reading, and how this translated into their own works. You will contribute to the digital reconstruction of the library of James Joyce and be involved in research activities of the Centre for Manuscript Genetics, part of the research group ACDC (Antwerp Centre for Digital humanities and literary Criticism). In the project, you will be responsible for the metadata relating to Joyce’s library, as well as the analysis and annotation of links between his reading and his writing.
• You will report to the project’s PI on a weekly basis.
• You will work closely with the project’s Research Software Engineer and provide material for the digital edition of Joyce’s library according to the project’s schedule.
• You are prepared to publish individual and co-authored articles in A1 journals and present your research as part of the team project at international conferences.

Profile

• You hold a PhD in Literary Studies in English or a related field of study (or you will have obtained it by the time you start work).
• You are an expert in the writings of James Joyce.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You can speak and write fluently in English and also express yourself in Dutch.
• You are a team player.
• You have experience with TEI-XML (extensible markup language) and other skills in digital scholarly editing, or are willing to learn these skills.

What we offer

• We offer a full-time contract as a senior researcher for a period of 36 months.
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scale for a senior researcher in the Contract Research Staff category.
• You will receive ecocheques, an Internet-connectivity allowance, a group insurance, an income protection insurance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• The planned starting date is 1 July 2026 or as soon as possible after that date.
• You will do most of your work at the city campus (Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp, building D) in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.

To apply, you can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 6 November 2025. Be sure to include a motivation letter, your academic CV, and two letters of recommendation.