Klaas Smelik

Klaas Smelik has had an extensive and varied work experience. Klaas started their career at Universiteit Utrecht as an assistant professor from 1982 to 1990. Klaas then went on to work as a guest professor at KU Leuven from 1995 to 2004. Following that, they joined Protestant Theological Faculty Brussels as a professor from 1990 to 2005. In 2000, they became the Editor in Chief of the series Studia Semitica Neerlandica at Brill, a position they still hold. In 2005, they joined Universiteit Gent as a Professor of Hebrew and Judaism, a role they held until 2015 when they became a Professor Emeritus at the same institution. During their time at Universiteit Gent, Klaas Smelik also served as the Director of Etty Hillesum Onderzoekscentrum from 2006 to 2015. Additionally, they were the Secretary of Etty Hillesum Stichting from 1983 to 2015. Finally, they worked as a book critic for NBD-Biblion from 1979 to an unspecified end date and as an editor for De Stem van het Boek from 2013 to an unspecified end date.

Klaas Smelik began their education in 1956 at Godelindeschool Hilversum, where they obtained their primary school degree in 1962. Klaas then attended Het Nieuwe Lyceum Hilversum from 1962 to 1968, earning a gymnasium alfa degree. In 1968, Klaas entered Utrecht University and completed their kandidaats degree in theology in 1971. Following this, they pursued further studies at the University of Amsterdam from 1971 to 1977, obtaining a Doctor degree in theology, semitic languages, ancient history, and archaeology. Additionally, they earned a certification in theology (doctoraat theologie) from the University of Amsterdam in August 1977.