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PhD Candidate in Political Science (Politics of Climate and Migration)

The Institute of Political Science in Leiden University’s Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences invites applications for the position of

PhD Candidate in Political Science (Politics of Climate and Migration) (1.0 FTE) Vacancy number 14512

Key responsibilities We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD researcher to conduct independent research at the Institute of Political Science at Leiden University. Specifically, we invite applicants to develop an innovative PhD proposal on empirical and normative issues around the ‘Climate Migration’ Dilemma (see next section).

The PhD project will be supervised by Dr Katharina Natter, Dr Rebecca Ploof and Professor Jan Aart Scholte. Together, we offer comprehensive support, including expertise in comparative politics, political theory and global affairs, methodological guidance, and career development support. Moreover, the Institute offers ample opportunities for presenting your research, gaining experience in organizing academic events, and developing a strong profile for your post-PhD career.

PhD candidates receive thorough research training at Leiden University. The PhD position also includes a generous financial package (see terms and conditions below) for fieldwork, conference attendance and training. Candidates are expected to teach two courses per year, usually as tutorial instructor.

The ‘Climate Migration’ Dilemma Climate change and migration are among the most pressing challenges of the 21st century in both the Global North and the Global South. While climate activists and migration activists are usually politically aligned, their positions tend to collide on the use of the terms ’climate migration’ and ’climate refugees’. Migration scholars and activists tend to object to such terms. They argue that these terms obscure the complex dynamics of migration, strip people of their agency, and threaten refugees' legal protection under the 1951 UN Geneva Convention In contrast, climate activists and scholars often deploy the terms ‘climate migration’ and ‘climate refugee’ to highlight the extreme migratory repercussions that climate change is expected to generate and to advocate for immediate action to protect the environment. In framing climate migration as an emergency, they regularly resort to rhetoric warnings (e.g. ‘floods of refugees’), commonly used by nationalist and xenophobic actors.

This can create an unexpected narrative convergence between climate activists and nationalist far-right actors, who adopt environmental concerns, such as the protection of pure and pristine nature for their own citizens, to back up their traditional, anti-immigration positions. While this political narrative is not mainstream (yet), the repositioning of nationalist, far-right actors on the issue of climate change is likely to gain further ground. Analyzing the political implications and normative risks of the terms ‘climate migration’ and ‘climate refugee’ is thus urgently needed. In this context, we invite prospective PhD candidates to develop a research proposal that empirically studies and normatively reflects on this intersection of migration, environmentalism and nationalism. As a prospective PhD researcher, you are free to propose your own theoretical framework, research design, case selection and methodology depending on your skills and interests, though we have also included some possible lines of inquiry below.

Empirically, the project could examine how climate activists, migration activists, and nationalist groups understand, deploy, and mobilize around the term ‘climate migration’. It could delve into the narratives or advocacy strategies of (trans)national organizations (e.g. NGOs, social movements, political parties) and unpack their perceptions of the political opportunities and challenges associated with the term.

Conceptually, the project could critically explore normative questions about the risks and rewards of crisis discourse around migration and climate change. The project could put the empirical material collected in conversation with, for instance, theoretical analyses of the power of discourse and knowledge; the politics of emergency and ‘exception’; or the anti-democratic impact of depoliticizing climate change.

The ‘cases’ studied could be countries, (transnational) social movements, or specific political actors within or across countries of the Global South and/or Global North. Similarly, a variety of data collection and analysis methods (e.g. participant observation, process tracing, content, discourse or sentiment analysis, semi-structured or life history interviews etc.) could be relevant. We hope that the research design you propose will generate new empirical and normative insights into the interplay between climate activists, migration activists, and anti-migration nationalists – and are looking forward to read your research ideas!

Selection criteria

• Applicants show enthusiasm, independence and relevant skills to implement the proposed research project.
• The proposed research project creatively addresses empirical and normative questions raised by the ‘Climate Migration’ Dilemma.
• Applicants hold (or are close to completing) a (research) master’s degree in political science or other relevant social science discipline. They have written (or are near to completing) a master’s thesis.
• Applicants have prior training in and a good command of the methodologies suggested in the research proposal, be they ethnographic, interview-based, quantitative and/or normative.
• Applicants ideally already have knowledge of interdisciplinary research on issues relevant to their proposal, including migration, climate change, nationalism and/or social movements
• Applicants meet the English language requirements of the Graduate School of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Leiden University. Proficiency in other languages relevant for the proposed research project is highly recommended.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an (online) interview in the period 7-15 May.

Research at our Faculty/Institute The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences comprises four institutes: Education and Child Studies, Political Science, Psychology and Cultural Anthropology & Development Sociology. The Faculty also includes the Centre for Science and Technology Studies. The Faculty is home to 7,000 students and 1000 members of staff. Our teaching and research programmes cover diverse topics varying from adoption to political behaviour. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/social-behavioural-sciences .

The Institute of Political Science has a strong research tradition in various areas of comparative, Dutch and international politics, as well as political theory. The Institute has around 85 academic staff, including many non-Dutch scholars, and houses a number of editorships of international refereed journals and book series. Members of the institute are also involved in a number of the university’s multi-disciplinary research centres, including Central and East European Studies, International Relations, Parties and Representation, Political Philosophy, Centrum voor Nederlandse Politiek en Bestuur and ReCNTR. The Institute is based in Leiden and in The Hague, where a large part of the teaching is done.

The Institute offers a range of programmes at the Bachelor and Master levels and also trains PhD students in political science. The BSc programmes include general Political Science (in Dutch & English, in Leiden), International Politics (in Dutch & English, in Leiden), and International Relations and Organisations (in English, in The Hague). The one-year MSc programme (taught mostly in English) includes five specialisations in Leiden and one in The Hague.

Terms and conditions The position starts on 1 September 2024. We offer a full-time PhD position. The salary is € 2,770.- to € 3,539.- gross per month (pay scale P, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). The PhD position includes a generous financial package for fieldwork (up to 10,000 EUR) as well as for attending scientific conferences and substantive/methodological training (up to 6,250 EUR).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with an additional holiday bonus (8% of annual salary) and end-of-year bonus (8.3% of annual salary), training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. 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 .

Diversity 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.

Information Further enquiries can be directed to Dr Katharina Natter, email: [email protected] .

Applications Please submit your online application no later than 23:59 CET on 15 April 2024 via the blue button of our application system. Applicants should submit online:

• A motivation letter (max. 2 pages) outlining the candidate's interest in and suitability for the position.
• A CV covering relevant study and work experience, language proficiency and other skills.
• A research proposal (max. 2000 words, excluding the bibliography) outlining a specific research question, its academic and societal contributions, as well as the theory and methods suggested to study the ‘Climate Migration’ Dilemma.
• A Master's thesis, academic paper or article. This will be used to assess the applicant's ability to formulate and delimit research tasks and analyse and present research results.
• The names and contact details of two referees. No reference letters should be submitted at the application stage: they will be requested for shortlisted candidates.

The selection interviews will take place in between 7 and 15 May 2024. You are kindly requested to be available in this period.

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated.

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PhD Candidate in Political Science (Politics of Climate and Migration)

Updated: 08 Apr 2024

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Key responsibilities We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD researcher to conduct independent research at the Institute of Political Science at Leiden University. Specifically, we invite applicants to develop an innovative PhD proposal on empirical and normative issues around the ‘Climate Migration’ Dilemma (see next section). The PhD project will be supervised by Dr Katharina Natter, Dr Rebecca Ploof and Professor Jan Aart Scholte. Together, we offer comprehensive support, including expertise in comparative politics, political theory and global affairs, methodological guidance, and career development support. Moreover, the Institute offers ample opportunities for presenting your research, gaining experience in organizing academic events, and developing a strong profile for your post-PhD career. PhD candidates receive thorough research training at Leiden University. The PhD position also includes a generous financial package (see terms and conditions below) for fieldwork, conference attendance and training. Candidates are expected to teach two courses per year, usually as tutorial instructor. The ‘Climate Migration’ Dilemma Climate change and migration are among the most pressing challenges of the 21st century in both the Global North and the Global South. While climate activists and migration activists are usually politically aligned, their positions tend to collide on the use of the terms ’climate migration’ and ’climate refugees’. Migration scholars and activists tend to object to such terms. They argue that these terms obscure the complex dynamics of migration, strip people of their agency, and threaten refugees' legal protection under the 1951 UN Geneva Convention In contrast, climate activists and scholars often deploy the terms ‘climate migration’ and ‘climate refugee’ to highlight the extreme migratory repercussions that climate change is expected to generate and to advocate for immediate action to protect the environment. In framing climate migration as an emergency, they regularly resort to rhetoric warnings (e.g. ‘floods of refugees’), commonly used by nationalist and xenophobic actors. This can create an unexpected narrative convergence between climate activists and nationalist far-right actors, who adopt environmental concerns, such as the protection of pure and pristine nature for their own citizens, to back up their traditional, anti-immigration positions. While this political narrative is not mainstream (yet), the repositioning of nationalist, far-right actors on the issue of climate change is likely to gain further ground. Analyzing the political implications and normative risks of the terms ‘climate migration’ and ‘climate refugee’ is thus urgently needed. In this context, we invite prospective PhD candidates to develop a research proposal that empirically studies and normatively reflects on this intersection of migration, environmentalism and nationalism. As a prospective PhD researcher, you are free to propose your own theoretical framework, research design, case selection and methodology depending on your skills and interests, though we have also included some possible lines of inquiry below. Empirically, the project could examine how climate activists, migration activists, and nationalist groups understand, deploy, and mobilize around the term ‘climate migration’. It could delve into the narratives or advocacy strategies of (trans)national organizations (e.g. NGOs, social movements, political parties) and unpack their perceptions of the political opportunities and challenges associated with the term. Conceptually, the project could critically explore normative questions about the risks and rewards of crisis discourse around migration and climate change. The project could put the empirical material c

Requirements:

Selection criteria

• Applicants show enthusiasm, independence and relevant skills to implement the proposed research project.
• The proposed research project creatively addresses empirical and normative questions raised by the ‘Climate Migration’ Dilemma.
• Applicants hold (or are close to completing) a (research) master’s degree in political science or other relevant social science discipline. They have written (or are near to completing) a master’s thesis.
• Applicants have prior training in and a good command of the methodologies suggested in the research proposal, be they ethnographic, interview-based, quantitative and/or normative.
• Applicants ideally already have knowledge of interdisciplinary research on issues relevant to their proposal, including migration, climate change, nationalism and/or social movements
• Applicants meet the English language requirements of the Graduate School of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Leiden University. Proficiency in other languages relevant for the proposed research project is highly recommended.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an (online) interview in the period 7-15 May.

Salary Benefits:

Research at our Faculty/Institute The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences comprises four institutes: Education and Child Studies, Political Science, Psychology and Cultural Anthropology & Development Sociology. The Faculty also includes the Centre for Science and Technology Studies. The Faculty is home to 7,000 students and 1000 members of staff. Our teaching and research programmes cover diverse topics varying from adoption to political behaviour. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/social-behavioural-sciences . The Institute of Political Science has a strong research tradition in various areas of comparative, Dutch and international politics, as well as political theory. The Institute has around 85 academic staff, including many non-Dutch scholars, and houses a number of editorships of international refereed journals and book series. Members of the institute are also involved in a number of the university’s multi-disciplinary research centres, including Central and East European Studies, International Relations, Parties and Representation, Political Philosophy, Centrum voor Nederlandse Politiek en Bestuur and ReCNTR. The Institute is based in Leiden and in The Hague, where a large part of the teaching is done. The Institute offers a range of programmes at the Bachelor and Master levels and also trains PhD students in political science. The BSc programmes include general Political Science (in Dutch & English, in Leiden), International Politics (in Dutch & English, in Leiden), and International Relations and Organisations (in English, in The Hague). The one-year MSc programme (taught mostly in English) includes five specialisations in Leiden and one in The Hague. Terms and conditions The position starts on 1 September 2024. We offer a full-time PhD position. The salary is € 2,770.- to € 3,539.- gross per month (pay scale P, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). The PhD position includes a generous financial package for fieldwork (up to 10,000 EUR) as well as for attending scientific conferences and substantive/methodological training (up to 6,250 EUR). Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with an additional holiday bonus (8% of annual salary) and end-of-year bonus (8.3% of annual salary), training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. 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 . Diversity 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.

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PhD Conference in Law and Political Science - 19 October 2023

18 July 2023

On 19 October 2023, the 5th PhD Conference in Law and Political Science, will take place in a hybrid format (in-person and online) at the Faculty of Law of the University of Barcelona.

The conference aims to promote academic reflection on the most recent debates within the field of law.

The communication proposal (abstract) should be sent in before 15 September 2023.

More information .

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Phd candidate in political science 'social distance in international relations', about the employer.

Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of Europe’s leading international research universities.

The Institute of Political Science of Leiden University’s Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences invites applicants for the position of a

PhD Candidate in Political Science ‘Social Distance in International Relations’ (1.0 FTE) Vacancy number 14672

Key responsibilities The PhD researcher will be part of the project “Social Distance in International Relations” hosted at the Institute of Political Science at Leiden University and led by Dr Hilde van Meegdenburg. This project introduces social distance—a sociological concept denoting the degree of sympathetic understanding that exists between people—to the study of state foreign policy making. The main objective is to study state foreign policy narratives and foreign policy making to see if and how social distance shapes policy debates, suggestions, justifications, and, ultimately, decisions. The PhD researcher is expected to develop and execute a research project under this umbrella and write a doctoral dissertation.

The PhD researcher will work under the supervision of Dr Hilde van Meegdenburg (daily supervisor and principal investigator), Dr Matthew Longo, and Prof Dr Daniel Thomas. As part of the position, the candidate will receive on-the-job research training as well as the chance to partake in international conferences and obtain further professional methodological training at a European Summer or Winter School. Besides these opportunities, research trips to conduct field work and gather data are foreseen and budgeted (see terms and conditions below).

Candidates will be expected to teach two courses per year, usually as tutorial instructor.

Social Distance in International Relations Early 2022 Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine. Stories of injuries, death, and people fleeing the war quickly dominated the news. Observers soon noted how, throughout Europe, people’s initial reactions were different compared to earlier conflicts in, for instance, Syria and Yemen. People and governments stood behind Ukraine and, overall, support was quickly promised and promptly delivered.

The type of conflict and the physical proximity of Ukraine to Western Europe may explain part of the variation but, it is expected, not all. This project focusses on social distance and studies if and how social distance shapes state foreign policy making. The basic premise of Social Distance Theory is that people perceive some “others” as more distant than other “others”. This brings into existence a stratification—a preferential ordering—of outgroups and a corresponding differentiated behavior towards the differently evaluated outgroups. Studying international relations as a set of socio-emotional relations between people(s), this project asks:

• Does, and if so how does, social distance impact how suffering and hardship experienced by an outgroup are perceived?
• Do, and if so how do, these differences in perception shape state foreign policy narratives and foreign policy making?

The overall research project is set-up as a comparative narrative analysis. That is, the aim is to study, analyze, compare, and contrast the stories that are told about the suffering other and how those stories, and the frames and terms that are used to describe the other, shape policy outcomes. The study focuses on Western European countries. The preferred cases include England, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. Within this framework, the PhD researcher is encouraged to develop their own project and specific focus. However, applicants interested in studying Spanish foreign policy and Spanish foreign policy making are highly encouraged to apply.

Selection criteria

• Applicants must hold (or be near completing) a (research) master’s degree in political science or in a relevant discipline. They have written (or are near completing) a master’s thesis.
• Applicants are passionate about interpretivist and qualitative political science research and have a strong interest in the project theme.
• Applicants must have prior training in and a good command of qualitative case studies and, preferably, narrative or discourse analysis. Prior experience in working with qualitative data analysis software (e.g. MAXQDA, NVIVO, ATLAS.ti) is an advantage.
• Applicants with a good command of Spanish and interested in working on Spanish foreign policy are especially encouraged to apply.
• Applicants meet the English language requirements of the Graduate School of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences.  

Research at our Faculty/Institute Our organization The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Political Science, and Psychology. The faculty has approximately 7000 students and 1000 staff members. Within the institutes, not only education is provided but also groundbreaking research is conducted that pushes the boundaries of our understanding of human behaviour and societal structures. What makes our faculty unique is the diversity of research topics, the various styles of teaching, and the way professional support is organized; this provides you with the opportunity to explore and develop your interests and expertise. Visit our website for an impression: Welcome to the Leiden Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences - Leiden University .

The Institute of Political Science has a strong research tradition in various areas of comparative, Dutch and international politics, as well as political theory. The Institute has around 85 academic staff, including many non-Dutch scholars, and houses a number of editorships of international refereed journals and book series. Members of the institute are also involved in a number of the university’s multi-disciplinary research centres, including Central and East European Studies, International Relations, Parties and Representation, Political Philosophy, Centrum voor Nederlandse Politiek en Bestuur and ReCNTR. The Institute is based in Leiden and in The Hague, where a large part of the teaching is done.

The Institute offers a range of programmes at the Bachelor and Master levels and also trains PhD students in political science. The BSc programmes include general Political Science (in Dutch & English, in Leiden), International Politics (in Dutch & English, in Leiden), and International Relations and Organisations (in English, in The Hague). The one-year MSc programme (taught mostly in English) includes five specialisations in Leiden and one in The Hague.

Terms and conditions The position starts on 01.09.2024. We offer a full-time PhD position. The salary is € 2,770.- to € 3,539.- gross per month (pay scale P, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). The appointment would be for 1 year, after which it can be extended by 3 years subject to a positive evaluation.

This specific position also includes a generous financial package for fieldwork (up to 10,000 EUR) as well as for attending scientific conferences and substantive or methodological training (up to 6,250 EUR). Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with an additional holiday bonus (8% of annual salary) and end-of-year bonus (8.3% of annual salary), training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. 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 .

Diversity 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 always inclusive.

Information Further enquiries can be directed to Dr Hilde van Meegdenburg email: [email protected]

Applications

• Please submit online your application no later than 23:59 CET on April 26 via the blue button of our application system. Applicants should submit online:
• An academic CV.
• A sample paper or piece of writing. This may be, but need not be, the candidate’s master thesis. Preferably, the writing sample demonstrates the candidate’s interest in, and knowledge of, either the research theme or interpretivist research more broadly.
• A statement of interest (max 800 words). Preferably, this statement explains and justifies the selection of the writing sample as a good example of work that is relevant for a research project focussing on foreign policy making or foreign policy narratives and interpretivist research methodologies. If the writing sample is unrelated to the theoretical and methodological foci of the social distance project, the statement of interest should focus on explaining the candidate’s interest in the theme and elaborating their qualifications.
• Applicants should also include the names and contact details of two people who can be contacted directly to submit recommendation letters, commenting on the candidate’s professional qualifications and suitability for the position. Please note that no reference letters have to be submitted at the application stage, but these will be requested for shortlisted candidates.

The selection procedure will take place mid-May. You are kindly requested to be available in this period.

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated.

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PhD Candidate in Political Science

Leiden university , netherlands.

The Institute of Political Science of Leiden University’s Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences invites applicants for the position of a

PhD Candidate in Political Science (1.0 FTE)

Vacancy number 14583

Key responsibilities The PhD researcher will be part of the project “What’s the Party About? Investigating Party Reputations and their Consequences” hosted at the Institute of Political Science at Leiden University. The main objective of this project is to fill gaps in understanding mass politics by exploring how ordinary people perceive political parties: what they stand for and whom they represent. The subsequent aim is to provide direct evidence regarding the influence of these perceptions on the persuasiveness of party communications.

The specific project content will be decided upon in discussion between the successful candidate and the supervision team and will lie at the intersection of the applicant’s interest and the expertise of the principal investigator, dr. Joshua Robison. Potential topics include (but are not limited to):

• Examine the Multi-Dimensionality of Party Competition: Investigate how ordinary people perceive political parties beyond the traditional left-right ideological spectrum, considering issues related to cultural values, morality, gender, national identity, and attitudes toward democratic institutions.
• Explore Social Group Dynamics: Investigate the influence of social group perceptions on party reputations by analyzing whether individuals consider the social groups with which parties are allied in forming beliefs about political parties.
• The Role of Changing Information Environments: Assess the impact of changing information environments on how individuals learn about and form impressions of political parties.
• Understand the Influence of Party Reputations on Cue Taking: Investigate the relationship between party reputations and the effectiveness of party cues on public opinion. Examine whether party cues are more influential when coming from parties with clearer reputations and whether recipients with clearer beliefs about party stances are more receptive to such cues.
• This project will take place under the supervision of dr. Joshua Robison (principal investigator), dr. Tom Louwerse, and dr. Cynthia van Vonno.
• As part of the position of PhD researcher, candidates will receive PhD research training. Candidates will be expected to teach two courses per year, usually as undergraduate tutorial instructor.

Selection criteria

• Applicants must hold (or be near completing) a (research) master’s degree in political science or in a relevant discipline. They have written (or are near completing) a master’s thesis.
• Applicants must have prior training in and a good command of quantitative methods including regression analyses. Prior experience with survey and/or experimental methodology is an advantage.
• Applicants must have prior training in, and a good command of, statistical software such as R, Stata, or Python (R preferred).
• Applicants must meet the English language requirements of the Graduate School of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. A working understanding of at least one other language is an advantage.

Research at our Faculty/Institute Leiden University’s Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences comprises five institutes: Political Science, Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Cultural Anthropology & Development Sociology and the Centre for Science and Technology Studies. The Faculty is home to 7,000 students and 1000 members of staff. Its teaching and research programmes cover diverse topics varying from adoption to political behaviour. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/social-behavioural-sciences .

The Institute of Political Science has a strong research tradition in various areas of comparative, Dutch and international politics, as well as political theory. The Institute has around 85 academic staff, including many non-Dutch scholars, and houses a number of editorships of international refereed journals and book series. Members of the institute are also involved in a number of the university’s multi-disciplinary research centres, including Central and East European Studies, International Relations, Parties and Representation, Political Philosophy, Centrum voor Nederlandse Politiek en Bestuur and ReCNTR. The Institute is based in Leiden and in The Hague, where a large part of the teaching is done.

The Institute offers a range of programmes at the Bachelor and Master levels and also trains PhD students in political science. The BSc programmes include general Political Science (in Dutch & English, in Leiden), International Politics (in Dutch & English, in Leiden), and International Relations and Organisations (in English, in The Hague). The one-year MSc programme (taught mostly in English) includes five specialisations in Leiden and one in The Hague.

Terms and conditions The position starts on September 1, 2024. We offer a full-time PhD position. The salary is € 2,770.- to € 3,539.- gross per month (pay scale P, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with an additional holiday bonus (8% of annual salary) and end-of-year bonus (8.3% of annual salary), training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. 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 .

Diversity 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 always inclusive.

Information Further enquiries can be directed to Joshua Robison email: [email protected]

Applications Please submit online your application no later than 23:59 CET on March 15th, 2024 via the blue button of our application system.

Applicants should submit online a letter of interest, an academic CV, and a sample paper or article. The letter of interest should be a maximum of three pages and should include a short discussion of initial ideas for the project. Applicants should also include the names and contact details of two people who can be contacted directly to submit recommendation letters, commenting on the candidate’s professional qualifications and suitability for the position. Please note that no reference letters have to be submitted at the application stage, but these will be requested for shortlisted candidates.

The selection procedure will take place in April and May. An initial round of online interviews is expected to be held on April 23rd and/or April 24th. In-person interviews are expected to be held on May 15th. You are kindly requested to be available on these days.

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated.

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Subject guide

Political Science

Overview of databases, reference works and websites for research in Political Science

The collection printed books and journals is partly placed in the  Social and Behavioural Sciences Library   and partly in the closed stacks of the  University Library  and the  Van Steenis Depot . Books can be requested using the Library Catalogue and can be delivered to various locations of the library, including the Wijnhaven Library .

The collection in the Library of Social and Behavioural Sciences is placed according to the Library of Congress Classification ( LCC ) . Titles in the area of Political Science and International Relations are mostly placed in the categories JA-JZ. Books on course reading lists are set aside behind the desk of the Library. These books cannot be borrowed but are available for use in the library.

Handbooks, reference works and mandatory literature are also available in the Wijnhaven Library. Books in the collection of the Wijnhaven Library are for library use only.

Find our databases on Political Studies in the catalogue.

Catalogue : the full text of many e-journal articles is available through the Catalogue.  

Frequently used databases for searching articles:

Political Science Abstracts is a bibliographic database that allows for searching articles in international journals in political science, international relations and public administration. It provides abstracts, citations and references for many articles. Web of Science (WoS) is a frequently used bibliographical database, that is comprised of three different citation databases, including the Social Sciences Citation Index (1956 to present). WoS contains abstracts of journal articles and books, references and citations.

Frequently used digital reference works:

The International Encyclopedia of Political Science is a comprehensive reference resource for political science and public administration. It covers every field of politics including entries on political theory and methodology, political sociology, comparative politics, public policy and international relations.

Oxford Handbooks Online : many handbooks in the field of political science, law, business and management, economics and finance are full text available on the platform of Oxford Handbooks Online. These handbooks can be searched simultaneously as well as individually.

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Secretariat

The staff of the secretariat of the Institute of Political Science provide a range of services to support the members of the Institute.

Contact, addresses

The secretariat is located in the Pieter de la Court building (5th floor):

• Address: Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK, Leiden
• E-mail: [email protected]
• Telephone: +31 (0)71 527 3879

The secretariat is located in the Wijnhaven building (6th floor):

• Address: Turfmarkt 99, 2511 DP The Hague
• E-mail: [email protected]

Frequently asked questions

Your first port of call is the Student Affairs Front Office .

Students in the Political Science: International Relations and Organisations programme will find (almost) all additional information on the students website .

Students in the programmes of the Institute of Political Science (Politicologie, Internationale Politiek, International Relations and Organisation) refer to the  exchange pages on the student website .