Medieval anti-heretical hate speech: Funded Ph.D. opportunity

The Dissident Networks Project (DISSINET, https://dissinet.cz/), a research group based at Masaryk University (Brno, Czech Republic), is offering support to applications for fully funded four-year Ph.D. studentships in the Study of Religions. DISSINET currently hosts research projects funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant and a Johannes Amos Comenius grant.

The focus of DISSINET-supported applications should be on digital and quantitative research into medieval anti-heretical hate speech, that is, derogatory language used by Christian writers to delegitimize, exclude, and harm heterodox Christians. We are interested in detecting and explaining broader patterns and trends (e.g., evolution over time). The work will involve:

• studying sources, their contexts, and related historiography;
• intensively annotating hate speech in Latin anti-heretical works in an online application;
• writing research articles with collaborators (both as lead author and co-author), which will form parts of the (article-based) dissertation.

The time to get in touch is now, as a new system will be in place from September 2025, introducing better funded Ph.D. positions, but the quotas for study programmes will be filled very quickly.

We are looking for M.A. graduates interested in enrolling in doctoral studies in the Study of Religion at Masaryk University, with a background in history, medieval studies, study of religions, medieval Latin philology and literature or a similar field. We require:

• M.A. degree in history, medieval studies, medieval Latin philology and literature or a similar field.
• Latin language (excellent reading competence).
• Competence in historical research.
• Computer-friendly mindset.
• Competence in academic writing.
• English language (C1 or higher).

(We do not require any previous research background concerning medieval heresy, anti-heretical literature, medieval religious hate speech, or digital methods.)

We offer:

• Dedicated individual mentorship from the PI and other senior team members, both during the preparation of your application and after joining the team.
• Strong track record of success in applications for funding.
• Career-enhancing experience in digital and computational history.
• Creative work across disciplines in an exciting frontier-research project.
• Participation in writing high-profile publications in history, social sciences, and the digital humanities.
• Friendly and informal working environment.

The deadline for submitting a CV, a brief (ca. 1 page) preliminary research proposal, and an academic writing sample authored by the candidate to the PI and head of the research group, Prof. Dr. David Zbíral (david.zbiral@mail.muni.cz), is 15 April 2025.

We will first perform an internal pre-selection to identify candidates whose applications we will support and help develop. The pre-selection will involve a Latin translation test and a digital data entry test, both taking place online.

To candidates who pass the pre-selection, we will offer intensive support in devising a Ph.D. research project related to medieval anti-heretical hate speech and submitting an application for a funded four-year Ph.D. position in Study of Religions at the Department for the Study of Religions, Masaryk University. The funding is ca. 25,000 CZK / month net, a competitive remuneration for the career stage and Brno living costs.

The studies are residential.Brno is a pleasant university town ca. 2 hours by direct train connection from Vienna and Prague and offers all the opportunities of a vibrant modern city.

The final submission deadline of the application for Ph.D. studies is 31 May 2025 (for the English-language programme).