University Lecturer in Contemporary South Asian Politics

Leiden University invites applications for a University Lecturer in Contemporary South Asian Politics, to begin 1 August 2023. This position is situated in the Leiden Institute for Area Studies, which is committed to the integration of disciplinary and regional/historical perspectives, based on a solid foundation of linguistic and cultural knowledge. 

We are looking for a colleague who can combine Social/Political Science and Humanities perspectives on diverse aspects of the Contemporary Politics of South Asia, including the roles of Digital Media, and the domain of Environmental Politics. A high degree of proficiency in at least one major South Asian language is required. A supplementary interest in Southeast Asia is desirable.

Key responsibilities:

• Original research, involving primary sources and/or fieldwork as appropriate.
• Teaching, curriculum development and thesis supervision at undergraduate and graduate levels in programmes including the BA South and Southeast Asian Studies, the BA International Studies, the MA Asian Studies, and the MA International Relations.
• Supervision of PhD research
• A commitment to acquisition of research funding from national and international funding bodies.
• Representation of the field to external audiences and media.
• Administrative duties, commensurate with career stage.

 Selection criteria

• A PhD degree in a relevant field, with field research experience. Candidates near completion of the degree will be considered.
• Research expertise in South Asian politics.
• A demonstrated interest in Digital politics.
• An interest in developing the field of environmental politics of South Asia.
• A compelling research agenda that promises original and significant work in the field.
• A record of research funding acquisition, commensurate with career stage.
• A publication record that is commensurate with career stage.
• The ability to work together with colleagues across the full breadth of Humanities and Social/Political Science disciplines.
• An excellent command of at least one major South Asian language. Proficiency in more than one such language is an advantage.
• An affinity with area studies, and the ability to work from interdisciplinary, transnational, and comparative perspectives.
• A commitment to high-quality teaching practice, and wide teaching scope in terms of content, which may include general introductory courses.
• A commitment to high-quality thesis and research supervision practice at the BA, MA, and PhD levels.
• Administrative abilities, commensurate with career stage.
• A strong affinity with and capacity for teamwork in an intercultural and multi-ethnic work environment.
• An excellent command of English. The majority of the MA programmes at Leiden University are taught in English, and staff members who have a better command of English than of Dutch may teach in English in BA programmes as well.
• If the successful applicant does not speak Dutch, they are expected to acquire a good command of Dutch within two years of the appointment. LIAS will make resources available to this end.

Our organisation

The Faculty of Humanities is rich in expertise in fields such as philosophy, religious studies, history, art history, literature, linguistics and area studies covering nearly every region of the world. With its staff of 995, the faculty provides 27 master’s and 25 bachelor’s programmes for over 7,000 students based at locations in Leiden and in The Hague. For more information: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities. 

Leiden Institute for Area Studies (https://www.hum.leiden.edu/lias/) is comprised of a School of Asian , a School of Middle-Eastern Studies and a School of Religious Studies, with international staff and student populations. The institute is committed to a present-day vision of area studies, integrating disciplinary and regional-historical perspectives on a solid foundation of excellent language skills. Current staff  in LIAS has expertise in the fields of Anthropology, Archaeology, Art Studies, Buddhist Studies, Film Studies, History, International Relations, Language Pedagogy, Law, Linguistics, Literary Studies, Material Culture Studies, Performance Studies, Philology, Philosophy, Political Economy, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Visual Culture Studies.

Terms and conditions

We offer a 12 months Full time position (38 hours per week) to be taken up as soon as possible, but no later than 1 August 2023. Upon good performance the position will be turned into a permanent position.

Salary range from €3,974.00 to €5,439.00 Gross per month (pay scale 11), in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

You may start at the appropriate step in scale 10 until you fully meet the requirements for scale 11 as specified by the Faculty of Humanities, particularly with regard to the number of years of relevant work experience.
 
Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses(8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions. 

Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ). If the successful applicant does not already possess this qualification or its equivalent, he/ she must be willing to obtain this Qualification within two years.
 
Diversity and inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are core values of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Information

Queries can be directed to Professor David Henley, Chair of the Programme in South and Southeast Asian Studies, email: d.e.f.henley@hum.leidenuniv.nl 

Applications

Applications must be received no later than 8 January 2023. Applications should be in English and be submitted, by clicking the 'Apply' button. Please ensure that you include in one single PDF document named ‘FAMILY Name – Given name – Vacancy Number’ and in this order:
 
•    A letter of motivation, including a personal vision for the study of South Asian Politics.
•    A CV including education and employment history, publications, language skills, invited talks and presentations, and courses taught.
•    A research agenda with clear potential for applications to funding bodies such as NWO and ERC (max. 2 pages).
•    A statement of teaching philosophy (max. 1 page).
•    One sample syllabus for an introductory BA-level lecture course on South Asian Politics, and one sample syllabus for an MA-level seminar course on a topic of the applicant’s choosing.
•    Names, positions, and contact details of three referees (letters are not requested at this stage).
 
Interviews with shortlisted candidates are tentatively scheduled for mid-January 2023. 

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated.