"Senior researcher in modernist genetic criticism and Virginia Woolf 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 Virginia Woolf 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 Virginia Woolf 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 Woolf’s library, as well as the analysis and annotation of links between her reading and her writing.
• You will report to the project’s PI on a weekly basis and are prepared to travel to the relevant holding libraries to help set up the digitisation process.
• You will work closely with the project’s Research Software Engineer and provide material for the digital edition of Woolf’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 Virginia Woolf.
• 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 (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• 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 January 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.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want 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 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter, your academic CV, two letters of recommendation.
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure. Please note the following dates in your calendar: 21 November 2025 (selection interviews).
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Prof. Dirk Van Hulle, dirk.vanhulle@uantwerpen.be.