Fully Funded Doctoral Fellowship in Belgium under the ERC HAIR Project
Introduction
Ghent University has opened applications for a fully funded doctoral fellowship under the European Research Council (ERC)-funded HAIR Project for researchers interested in gender, identity, body politics, and Muslim societies.
The fellowship is based within the Department of Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, and offers the opportunity to join an international interdisciplinary research team.
Quick Highlights
Particulars
Details
Fellowship Name
Ghent University ERC HAIR PhD Fellowship
Organization
Ghent University
Funding Agency
European Research Council (ERC)
Project
HAIR – Hair, Identity, Beauty, and the Self in Muslim Contexts
Fellowship Type
Fully Funded Doctoral Fellowship
Study Level
PhD
Country
Belgium
Application Mode
Online
Application Deadline
31 July 2026
Expected Start Date
1 December 2026 (Earliest)
Category
Fellowships
Opportunity Overview
Particular
Details
Host University
Ghent University
Faculty
Faculty of Arts and Philosophy
Department
Department of Languages and Cultures
Funding
European Research Council (ERC)
Research Location
Belgium
Research Focus
Lebanon Case Study
Contract
Initial 12 Months
Maximum Duration
48 Months
About Organization
Ghent University is offering this doctoral fellowship under the European Research Council (ERC)-funded HAIR Project within its Faculty of Arts and Philosophy.
The fellowship enables doctoral researchers to work within an international interdisciplinary research team examining gender, religion, identity, and Muslim societies.
About Fellowship
The HAIR Project explores how beauty practices and body politics shape identity, gender norms, religious expression, and selfhood in Muslim-majority societies.
The doctoral fellowship supports an original PhD research project focused on Lebanon, contributing to broader research conducted across Egypt, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates.
Fellowship Benefits
Benefit
Details
Funding
Fully Funded
Fellowship Type
Tax-Free Doctoral Fellowship
Initial Appointment
12 Months
Maximum Duration
48 Months
International Academic Supervision
Yes
International Mobility
Yes
Research Networking
Yes
Interdisciplinary Research Team
Yes
Annual Leave
Approximately 36 Days
Bicycle Allowance
Yes
Eco Vouchers
Yes
Professional Development
Yes
Eligible Fields of Study
Arabic Studies
Islamic Studies
Anthropology
Middle Eastern Studies
Gender Studies
Religious Studies
Cultural Studies
Related Fields
Eligibility Criteria
Requirement
Details
Education
Master's Degree in a Relevant Discipline
Academic Record
Outstanding Master's Dissertation Focused on the Contemporary Middle East
Research Interest
Gender, Embodiment, Literature and Muslim Societies
Arabic Language
Excellent Spoken and Reading Skills
English Language
Excellent Academic Communication and Writing Skills
Fieldwork
Willingness to Undertake International Fieldwork
Work Style
Ability to Work Independently and Collaboratively
Preferred Candidate Profile
Preference
Details
Research Experience
Ethnographic or Qualitative Research
Regional Expertise
Middle East
Additional Languages
Regional Languages or Dialects
Academic Expertise
Gender Theory, Body Studies and Affect Theory
Digital Skills
Digital Humanities, Database Development, Digital Storytelling or Online Exhibition Curation
Not Eligible
Applicant
Status
Not Mentioned
Not Mentioned
Selection Criteria
Criteria
Considered
Academic Qualifications
Yes
Research Proposal
Yes
Research Experience
Yes
Academic Writing
Yes
Interview
Online Interview for Shortlisted Candidates
Required Documents
Document
Required
Curriculum Vitae (Maximum Two Pages)
Yes
Motivation Letter (Maximum Two Pages)
Yes
Undergraduate Academic Transcript
Yes
Master's Academic Transcript
Yes
Research Proposal (Maximum 2,000 Words)
Yes
Contact Details of Three Referees
Yes
Published Academic Work (If Available)
Yes
Fellowship Timeline
Event
Date
Applications Open
Currently Open
Application Deadline
31 July 2026
Shortlisted Candidates Notified
21 August 2026
Online Interviews
First Week of September 2026
Earliest Fellowship Start
1 December 2026
How to Apply
Step
Action
Step 1
Visit the official Ghent University application page
Which research project is this fellowship part of?
ERC-funded HAIR Project.
What is the application deadline?
31 July 2026.
CareerFlora Expert Insight
The Ghent University ERC HAIR PhD Fellowship 2026 is an outstanding opportunity for aspiring doctoral researchers interested in interdisciplinary research on gender, identity, religion, and Muslim societies.
With full funding, international supervision, and participation in a prestigious ERC-funded project, eligible candidates should submit their applications before 31 July 2026.
