Full Professor in International Studies/Politics

The Leiden University Institute for History (LUIH) is a broad disciplinary Institute based in Leiden and The Hague, with a large number of Assistant, Associate and Full Professors. The Institute has a marked profile in ‘global questions, local sources’, combining wide-ranging perspectives and innovative methods with classic empirical-historical approaches and language expertise. LUIH is looking to appoint a full professor in International Studies with a focus on international politics to support and expand the current lines of research of, and to develop new approaches in, research and education. 

The new professor will provide leadership in the field of International Studies/International Relations/International History. They will play a pivotal role in the teaching, research and management of the International Studies BA program and the International Relations MA program. The new chair will contribute a contemporary political perspective on international affairs, combining an emphasis on global questions with local insights and interpretations. Candidates with more general contemporary historical, political science and international affairs expertise with a link to global and transnational discussions are eligible. Specific area expertise is welcomed: no specific regions are singled out or excluded for this vacancy. The new professor’s research meets the highest academic standards and will make a valuable contribution to the research profile of the LUIH. The professor has a demonstrated ability to connect and coach group members. They are capable of taking on administrative duties, both in the teaching programme and at Institute and Faculty levels. They act as a generous and selfless manager of the different programmes, show a capability for self-reflection, and serve the group’s interests within and outside the field. 

The new chair leads the Politics domain within the BA International Studies program, taking responsibility for the content, management and teaching of Politics focused courses. Within the MA International Relations, the new chair will share responsibility for the five specializations of Global Order, Global Conflict, Culture and Politics, Global Political Economy and European Union Studies. This involves management and teaching one or more of the core courses in this program. Overall, responsibilities include developing and teaching innovative and topical core courses, conducting internationally recognized research, and acting as a supervisor and coach for the many young staff in the programme. Moreover, participation in committees and workgroups in the Institute, Faculty and University are part of the tasks. 

Key responsibilities

The successful candidate will specifically:

• Prepare and teach courses in the fields of International Studies (BA), International Relations (MA);
• Engage in all forms of instruction in these programmes, including supervising internships and BA, MA theses;
• Play an active role in recruiting BA and MA students, and in the development and implementation of the curriculum and educational innovations;
• Conduct research in the field of International Studies/International Relations/International History and present the results in the form of publications, conference presentations, outreach activities and by other means;
• Apply for project funding at the national and international levels (NWO, ERC, Horizon Europe, etc.);
• Attract and supervise PhD candidates and junior researchers;
• Actively support and improve the international collaborations of the History and International Studies section, as well as the teaching programmes of International Studies and International Relations;
• Participate in the academic community of the Institute for History, the Faculty of Humanities and the University;
• Act as an ambassador of the field of International Studies/Relations/History, both locally and internationally;
• Perform administrative and management tasks within LUIH, the Faculty of Humanities and Leiden University.

Selection criteria

The candidate’s profile;

• You have completed a PhD in International Studies, International Relations, International History, Politics or another relevant field;
• You have an excellent and demonstrable command of the field and an awareness of current issues and diverse viewpoints, with an open mind to innovative methods;
• You have outstanding teaching skills (demonstrated by e.g. teaching evaluations, teaching qualifications including experience with educational innovation);
• You have experience in teaching at both bachelor’s and master’s level;
• You have a research profile that fits the LUIH;
• You have a proven track record of excellent independent research, as demonstrated by a substantial list of publications and by awards/grants;
• You have a (near) native proficiency in the English language, the language of instruction, and a command of Dutch or a willingness to attain level B1 within two years of appointment, for teaching, administrative and social purposes. If you do not speak Dutch, the University will fund your Dutch training at the University’s Academic Language Center.
• You have experience with management and leadership functions and proven ability to inspire and unite in your leadership;
• You have a flexible and dedicated attitude to teamwork, as well as a proactive leadership style with excellent communication skills and the ability to unite, initiate and build communities;
• You have affinity with and capacity for teamwork, collegiality and social leadership in an intercultural work environment;

About our organisation

Since its founding in 1575, Leiden University has acquired an international reputation for excellent teaching and research. The Faculty of Humanities offers an inspiring and international work environment with room for diversity and growth for employees and students from the Netherlands and abroad. Our faculty is home to more than 8,000 students and 800 staff members. It offers a wide range of education, with students being able to choose from no less than 26 Bachelor’s and 27 Master’s degree programmes.

The Faculty’s research is organised within seven institutes and contributes to six research stimulation areas for research at Leiden University. The Faculty has a wealth of expertise in the fields of history, philosophy, the arts, literature, film and cultural sciences, religious studies, linguistics and multidisciplinary area studies. Our global expertise, international focus and synergy of scientific approaches open up the many perspectives on a globalising world. In a century of large-scale levels of migration, intense and ever faster communication, cultural transformations and the politicising of culture and the rise of new (super) powers, the work and knowledge of the faculty’s staff is of vital importance to society, both inside and outside of the Netherlands. For more information see: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities.

The Institute for History is the home of a vibrant community of researchers and lecturers with outstanding track records, who are successful in attracting national and international research grants. Under the label ‘Global Questions, Local Sources’ scholars affiliated with the Institute combine a deep knowledge of global interactions and of specific localities, regions and states in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. They use comparative, connective and entangled approaches and resort to qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.

All researchers of the Institute for History are connected to one of the six research specializations: The Unification of the Mediterranean World (400 BC – 400 AD), Collective Identities and Transnational Networks in Medieval and Early Modern Europe, 1000-1800, Political Culture and National Identities, Colonial and Global History, Cities, Migration and Global Interdependence, and History and International Relations. For more information on the Institute for History https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities/institute-for-history.

Diversity

Leiden University’s Institute for History embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized backgrounds to apply.

Terms and conditions

The appointment (1,0 fte) is in temporary employment for 18 months, with the prospect of a permanent position after positive evaluation. The position corresponds to the position of Professor in the University system of job profiles (UFO). The salary is in accordance with the collective salary agreement of the Association of Dutch Universities (CAO) and depending on qualifications and experience. The gross monthly salary is €6099 to €8881 (scale H2) for a full working week.

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. 

Information

For more information about this position, please contact Prof. dr. I. Duyvesteyn (i.duyvesteyn@hum.leidenuniv.nl).

Applications

Applications should be in English and should be submitted, by clicking the 'Apply' button.

Please quote the vacancy number in your application. All requested documents should be sent in one PDF document named ‘FAMILY NAME/vacancy number’:

• A letter of motivation
• A CV including education and employment history, publications, language skills, invited talks and presentations, and courses taught. We ask candidates to provide a short narrative introduction singling out three key achievements in research
• Two key published articles or book chapters (PDF)
• Names, positions, and contact details of three referees (letters are not requested at this stage).
• A research strategy indicating how personal research themes enhance the profile of the HIS section and outlining possible grant applications (max. 1000 words)
• A syllabus for an MA or advanced BA research seminar
• Two recent course evaluations

The deadline for applications is January 29th 2023. Interviews and mock lectures (online or on campus) will be held in February