PhD position in Classics (1.0 FTE)

Department

Faculty of Arts

Organisation

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, University of Groningen, V25.0216

Job description

Fully funded PhD position in Classics at the Faculty of Arts, University of Groningen (start date: 1 October 2025) in the project “Ancient Commentary across Genres”.

The PhD Project
Commentaries are a characteristic component of the landscape of knowledge in Greco-Roman Antiquity. Considerable progress has been made in the last few decades in opening up and interpreting individual commentaries and commentary traditions. Much light has been shed on the use of exegesis to advance specific medical, philosophical, literary, biblical, didactic etc. agendas in specific commentaries and genres of commentary. This project will attempt an analysis of ancient commentary-writing across genres. Its purpose is to contribute to a synoptic view of ancient commentary-writing, one that allows generalizations beyond specific commentary traditions. While such a synoptic view is not within the scope of any one individual research project, this doctoral project will make a contribution through a case-study based analysis of key themes and questions, as detailed below.
Case studies can be selected from a wide range of texts, including commentaries on philosophical, literary, grammatical, rhetorical, religious and medical commentaries, written in Greek and Latin.
In view of the expertise of the intended supervisors, a preference will be given to projects whose scope includes (but is not necessarily limited to) commentaries with a philosophical outlook, and commentaries in Latin. Projects could take the shape of a comparison between texts from distinct genres as well as a study of aspects from different genres that are present within a single commentary tradition.

We welcome proposals that address issues such as (but not limited to):
- terminology across genres, i.e. the question of whether vocabulary relating to interpretation is universal or genre-specific, and a study of the relevant factors involved.
- principles of interpretation and truth across genres, e.g. the role of preliminary questions in establishing the meaning of texts; or the question of the co-validity of multiple interpretations.
- the standards and types of argumentation accepted or expected in different kinds of commentary, e.g. the role of appeals to authority in different commentary genres.
- the ‘rhetoric of persuasion’ across genres, i.e. the question of how various commentaries attempt to convince their readers of the validity of their interpretations.
- the relationship between commentaries and their ‘object texts’, and the notions of ‘primariness’ and ‘secondariness’ implied by them.
- ‘influence’ across genres, i.e. the question of whether principles in one commentary tradition influence those of another.
- the intended readership of commentaries across genres, e.g. the question of the different kinds of prior knowledge required of readers of various kinds of commentaries.
- the functions of various kinds of commentaries in their (scholastic, ecclesiastic, etc.) cultural contexts.

The selected candidate will be able to design their own project around one or more of these questions, and may choose to focus on particular approaches, authors, or themes, depending on their disciplinary background, interests and research experience.

A more elaborate description of the project framework is available upon request (see contact details below).

The successful candidate will work under the joint supervision of Dr Bram van der Velden (Latin) and Dr Albert Joosse (Ancient Philosophy), with Prof Felix Budelmann as promotor.

You will be asked to:
- Complete the PhD in the specified timeframe (4 years)
- Conduct a total of 0.4 FTE teaching spread over the second, third and fourth year of your appointment
- Participate in and present research at conferences, including participation in activities of CRASIS (the Groningen interfaculty research institute dedicated to study of the ancient world) and OIKOS (the national research school in Classical studies)
- Move to Groningen or its environs

Organisation

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering high-quality teaching and research. Its 27,000 students are encouraged to develop their own individual talents through challenging study- and career paths. The University of Groningen is an international centre of knowledge: It belongs to the best research universities in Europe and is allied with prestigious partner universities and networks worldwide.

The Faculty of Arts is a large, dynamic faculty in the heart of the city of Groningen. It has more than 5000 students and 700 staff members, who are working at the frontiers of knowledge every day. The Faculty offers a wide range of degree programmes: 15 Bachelor's programmes and over 35 Master's specialisations. Our research, which is internationally widely acclaimed, covers Archaeology, Cultural Studies, History, International Relations, Language and Literary Studies, Linguistics and Media and Journalism Studies.

Requirements

- A Research Master’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. Classics, Theology, History, Philosophy) by the starting date of the project.
- Excellent academic writing skills in English.
- Linguistic skills to work with Greek or Latin commentaries (preferably both) in the original.

Since the dissertation will be written in English, no knowledge of Dutch is required. However, the University of Groningen offers language classes to employees who would like to learn the Dutch language.

Conditions of employment

Contract length: 48 months.

In accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, the University of Groningen offers you:

- A salary of € 2,901 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,707 gross per month in the final year, based on a full-time position.
- A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income.
- An 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance.
- A temporary 1.0 FTE appointment for a specified period of four years. The candidate will first be appointed for twelve months. After six months, an assessment will take place of the candidate’s results and the progress of the PhD project, in order to decide whether employment will be continued.
- The PhD candidate is expected to conduct a total of 0.4 fte teaching spread over the second, third and fourth year of their appointment.
- Excellent work-life balance.
- Willingness to move and reside in the Netherlands.

The appointment will commence on 1 October 2025.

Job Application

Applications should be made in English and contain the following materials: - A cover letter (c. 750 words), explaining your motivation for applying. - A short research statement (c. 1000 words, excluding references), in which you set out briefly how you would approach the project and indicate how your previous research experience relates to these plans (NB: a full research proposal is not required). - A curriculum vitae. - Copies of BA and MA diplomas and transcripts (or list of grades); if the MA has not yet been completed, please provide a signed statement from your thesis supervisor confirming that you are on track to complete the degree by the starting date of the position. - A sample of written work (max. 5000 words; if your sample is longer (e.g. a thesis), please mark a section of 5000 words for us). - Contact details of two academic referees (no letters of recommendation are needed at this stage of the application process). - In case your (Research) Master’s degree is not in English, please include a language certificate. Please send in your application as two PDF files (one for the writing sample, and one for all other documents). You may apply for this position until 8 May 23:59PM / before 9 May Dutch local time (CEST) by means of the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website). Interviews with selected candidates will be held on 26 May 2025. The University of Groningen strives to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply. For more information, see also our diversity policy webpage: https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/policy-and-strategy/diversity-and-inclusion/ Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP): https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/sollicitatiecode/ and European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

Additional information

For additional information, please contact:

Albert Joosse (for information about the project)
[email protected]

Bram van der Velden (for information about the project)
[email protected]

Maarten Schmaal, Coordinator Graduate School (for questions regarding the submission procedure)
[email protected]

In your application, please always include the job opening ID V25.0216

Digital application form