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 20000 students, conduct pioneering 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.
The Department of Heritage in the Faculty of Design Sciences is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of Built Heritage Studies.
Position
- You will work actively on the preparation and defense of a PhD thesis in the field of built heritage, and in specific, augmented mapping of cocoa heritage in São Tomé and Príncipe or Ghana depending on the candidate’s language skills. The PhD project aims to fill the gap in research by studying the multidimensions and multi narratives of cocoa heritage. It responds to the following research questions:
- What tangible and intangible heritage values are associated with cocoa cultivation, and how can they be systematically documented and integrated into a transferable framework for mapping agricultural systems heritage?
- How can an augmented, multimodal mapping approach be developed to represent cocoa heritage in a holistic, people-centered way?
- You develop scientific knowledge that has the potential to be translated into strategic insight and/or guidelines for understanding and mapping food-related multidimensional heritage in times of climate change.
- You will collaborate with colleagues within the Built Heritage group of Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES) and the Architecture and Interior(A+I) research group.
- You will publish scientific articles related to the research project both independently and with your promotors Prof. dr. Yonca Erkan and Prof. dr. Sara Eloy.
- You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for ARCHES (Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences) Research Group and A+I research group.
Profile
- You hold a Master degree in heritage studies or a related discipline (architecture, architectural conservation, urban planning, interior architecture, etc.) or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
- You can demonstrate excellent study results.
- You have fluency at least at the C1 level in English and/or in Portuguese. Dutch is desirable but not essential.
- Your teaching competencies 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 act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
- It is desirable that you have worked within the cultural heritage sector or a similar field.
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 year, up to a maximum of four years.
- The planned start date is 1 November 2026 (or 1 January 2027 if non-Belgian nationality) or as soon as possible after that date.
- Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
- 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 do most of your work at Campus Mutsaard 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 3 August 2026 (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 in English in which you address the call explicitly and explain how your skills can respond to it.
- your academic and professional CV in English
- The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. We expect to have the interviews in the first week of September. 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.
- If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to [email protected]. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact please contact Yonca Erkan, Professor of Heritage Studies ([email protected]).
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.
