PhD in Early Modern Religious Debates. The use of AI in analysing sources

Do you want to explore original historical documents, examine religious debates of the early modern period, and discover the potential of AI in analysing ancient sources? Then apply to this PhD position!

PhD in Early Modern Religious Debates. The use of AI in analysing sources

• VU Hoofdgebouw
• Amsterdam

Your function

In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, in the Low Countries many public religious debates were organized between, for example, Calvinists and Mennonites, or Catholics and Lutherans. Their written reports constitute an underexplored treasure of information about the religious dynamics following the Reformation and the development of a public sphere.

A PhD position is available within the NWO-funded project “In Search of the Truth, in Search of Adherents”. This interdisciplinary project investigates early modern religious debates in the Dutch language.

As a PhD candidate, you will investigate early modern religious debates using digital humanities methods and tools. You will analyse how participants drew on classical and ecclesiastical traditions, examining how different religious groups appropriated and used these traditions to support their arguments and distinguish themselves from their opponents. In addition to conducting your own research, you will contribute to the preparation of a critical edition of early modern Dutch-language debates. You will also help develop and refine methods and tools for producing digital critical editions, making them more effective and widely applicable.

You will work closely with a second PhD candidate in the project, whose research focuses on the rhetorical and argumentative strategies employed by participants in religious debates and the role of these debates in the emergence of a public sphere. Together, the two PhD projects will offer complementary perspectives on the practices, intellectual traditions, and wider cultural significance of early modern religious debate. This position offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of digital humanities and religious history, combining historical research with the development and application of digital methods. A full description of the project is available upon request.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research and write a PhD dissertation, as well as academic articles.
• Contribute to knowledge exchange and public engagement activities.
• Contribute to the preparation of a critical edition of early modern Dutch-language religious debates.
• Help develop, refine, and improve methods and tools for producing digital critical editions.
• Contribute to the activities of the research group, research section, and department.
• Participate in relevant courses and training offered by the Graduate School and NOSTER.

Your profile

• A research master's degree in a humanities discipline, such as digital humanities, religious history, church history, history, or philosophy.
• Demonstrable proficiency in digital humanities methods and tools, including hands-on experience in applying computational or data-driven approaches to humanities research.
• The ability to independently select, apply, and critically evaluate digital methods and tools in addressing historical research questions.
• Knowledge of early modern Dutch religious history.
• The ability to read, interpret, and analyse relevant early modern sources.
• The ability to collaborate across disciplines and contribute actively to a research team.
• An excellent command of both Dutch and English.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of € 3.204,00 (PhD) and maximum € 4.051,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment
• an employment contract of initially 18 months. If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years.

The starting date of the contract will be April 1, 2027.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

About us

School of Religion and Theology
The School of Religion and Theology at VU Amsterdam is the leading centre of expertise for the study of religion in society in the Netherlands. Our students, lecturers and researchers are critically engaged with the major religious and societal themes relevant for today. From holy scripture and pastoral care to peace studies and contemporary spirituality.

Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
A better understanding of ourselves and social communities, values and meaning, through social sciences and humanities. That is the aim of The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. No single discipline can do this alone. The SSH disciplines are characterised by an open way of thinking and the natural urge to seek coherence and connection.

The faculty consists of nine academic departments within three schools: School of Religion & Theology (SRT), School of Social Sciences (SSc) and School of Humanities (SH).

Are you interested in joining Social Sciences and Humanities? You become part of a dynamic academic community with approximately 900 staff members, over 5,000 regular students and more than 5,000 course participants. In an inspiring and collegial environment, we work together on education and research with impact.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research.

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.