Postdoctoral Researcher in Yoruba Print Culture

About the role

Ghent University invites applications for a six-month postdoctoral fellowship (1 January 2027 to 30 June 2027) in the ERC-funded Yoruba Print Culture project led by Prof. Dr. Shola Adenekan. The researcher will coordinate and conduct research within the project, helping with its concluding aspects under the direction of the project's principal investigator, an Associate Professor of African Literature. The position is full-time, fixed-term, and based in the Department of Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Arts & Philosophy.

Key responsibilities

• Contribute to the project's research on over 100 years of Yoruba print culture in Nigeria and West Africa, examining how networks of people with shared interests in religion, journalism and literature shaped Yoruba and Nigerian history.
• Carry out independent archival research on Yoruba print culture and cultural productions in Nigeria, West Africa and the UK.
• Collaborate with the project's international partners, including archivists, scholars and non-academic experts in Yoruba culture.
• Help maintain the project's website and database.
• Contribute to the project blog.

Required profile

• PhD in Literary Studies with a focus on African Studies, African literature, Yoruba Studies or Digital Humanities, submitted by the end of December 2026.
• Research focus on Africa, preferably in Yoruba-speaking areas of West Africa.
• Leadership capacity to conduct independent archival research and willingness to work collegially with authorities, researchers and workers in Nigeria and West Africa.
• Experience building relationships with international colleagues, publication in international peer-reviewed journals and presentation at international conferences.
• Good knowledge of English and Yoruba; French is a bonus for communicating with archivists and librarians in Benin.

Required skills

• Some familiarity with network analysis software is a bonus.
• Skills in digital humanities software tools or basic web knowledge are hoped for; training is provided if needed.