Postdoctoral Scholarship in Literature

Department of Literature
University of Antwerp

Position Details

• Department: Department of Literature
• Employment type: Full-time
• Regime: Full-time

Let’s Shape the Future – University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20,000 students, conduct dynamic scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.

Position

You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD dissertation on "Narrating Parental Regret in Contemporary Anglophone Fiction." The PhD project will examine the literary representation of parental regret, focusing on how narrative techniques shape negative emotions that remain socially taboo yet are central to family life, reproductive decision-making, and wellbeing. Examining a corpus of English language narratives since 1990, the project uses methods of close reading to show how authors narrate regret through counterfactual temporalities, focalization, and other narrative techniques, and it attends to differences in intensity, outcome, and positionality across gender, race, class, sexuality, and life stage. Drawing on narrative theory, affect theory, gender studies, and the health humanities, the project demonstrates how fiction renders the temporal and expressive complexity of regret and how these narrative forms show tensions between autonomy and dependence within family life.

You will publish research articles and deliver conference papers related to the project.
You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the Department of Literature in the area of English literature.

Profile

• You hold a Master's degree in English literature or an adjacent field relevant to the project, or you will have obtained this degree by the time you start the position.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You perform duties with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You can read, write and speak English with high proficiency.
• You have experience conducting independent research and writing cogent, persuasive and professional papers.
• International contacts in anglophone countries are advantageous.
• Experience doing multi- or interdisciplinary research is a plus.
• You communicate effectively and consistently with colleagues, work well in a team, and can balance independent and collaborative work.

What We Offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of one year. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another three years.
• The planned start date is 1 September 2026.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders.
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• As a doctoral researcher, you will have access to a wide and varied range of courses and an educational credit through the Antwerp Doctoral School.
• You will be based at University of Antwerp’s city campus (Stadscampus) in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to Apply?

Apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 29 April 2026 (by 23:59 Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:

• a motivation letter in English (up to 1500 words)
• your academic CV including:a writing sample: academic paper or excerpt from your Master's thesis; up to 6000 words (excluding bibliography); in English
  • educational background
  • other academic experience (e.g., teaching, certificates, etc.)
  • experiences abroad
  • list of publications and/or presentations
  • list of prizes, honors, and/or achievements
  • language skills
• names and contact information of up to 3 references

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. The selection interview is expected to take place in late June 2026 via Teams or in person.

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 Dr. Heather Houser, Professor of English, heather.houser@uantwerpen.be, with "Parental Regret position" in the subject.

About the University

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.

In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com