Assistant Professor in Crisis Governance- NL

Leiden University; Den Haag; Hybrid; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work possible

Home-working allowance

Laptop provided

Job summary

Leiden University’s Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) seeks an assistant professor with research and teaching expertise in crisis governance, safety, or disaster studies. You will develop and teach courses, conduct independent research, and contribute to educational renewal at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels.

You will join a multidisciplinary team within ISGA, contribute to research strategy, supervise theses, and manage research projects.

Qualifications

• PhD in the broad fields of crisis and disaster management, safety studies, comparative policy studies, political science, organization sociology, organization studies, or public administration; or a related discipline that is relevant to teaching and researching crisis governance.
• Demonstrable research experience in the fields of crisis governance, disaster management, or safety studies, and an openness to other fields of inquiry.
• Outstanding research qualities manifest in an established or developing publication record.
• Demonstrable excellence in research-led teaching.
• Demonstrable passion for education, in and out of the classroom.
• Demonstrable commitment to a close-knit, interdisciplinary academic community.
• Demonstrable command of a diversity of research methods and techniques.
• Growing network of academics and professionals in the field of crisis governance both domestically and internationally.
• Ability to connect academic research to policy-oriented and societal impact.
• Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ).
• Excellent command of English, with the ability and willingness to work towards Dutch language proficiency within two years. Current proficiency in Dutch is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and teach courses in crisis governance, safety or disaster studies.
• Conduct independent research on topics related to crisis governance.
• Generate high-quality output in both academic and non-academic outlets, with a focus on international, peer-reviewed journals.
• Actively contribute to the renewal and ongoing improvement of educational practices at Bachelor’s and Master’s level.
• Take on administrative and coordination tasks within ISGA.
• Work within a multidisciplinary team of colleagues and support the development and implementation of the research strategy of the ISGA.
• Supervise theses and capstone projects.
• Contribute to the tutorial system of student mentoring and advising.
• Acquisition and project management of research and training projects of third parties.
• Preferably, the candidate demonstrates an ability to teach across a variety of security-related themes and topics so that they can contribute to other teaching programmes at the institute (e.g. cyber-related risk and crises) beyond our offerings in crisis governance.

Skills

Research methods

Policy impact

English proficiency

UTQ teaching qualification

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Teaching ability

Education passion

Network building

Independent work

Education

PhD in crisis/disaster management, safety studies, policy studies, political science, sociology, organization studies, or public administration; or related discipline

Job description

The Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) is looking for an assistant professor with research and teaching expertise in crisis governance, safety, or disaster studies.

What You Will Do

• Develop and teach courses in crisis governance, safety or disaster studies.
• Conduct independent research on topics related to crisis governance.
• Generate high-quality output in both academic and non-academic outlets, with a focus on international, peer-reviewed journals.
• Actively contribute to the renewal and ongoing improvement of educational practices at Bachelor’s and Master’s level.
• Take on administrative and coordination tasks within ISGA.
• Work within a multidisciplinary team of colleagues and support the development and implementation of the research strategy of the ISGA.
• Supervise theses and capstone projects.
• Contribute to the tutorial system of student mentoring and advising.
• Acquisition and project management of research and training projects of third parties.
• Preferably, the candidate demonstrates an ability to teach across a variety of security-related themes and topics so that they can contribute to other teaching programmes at the institute (e.g. cyber-related risk and crises) beyond our offerings in crisis governance.

Where you will work

ISGA is a scientific institute specializing in security, safety, and global challenges. These include crises, intelligence, terrorism, war, violence, and cybercrime. ISGA is characterized by high-quality, interdisciplinary education and the development of scientific knowledge with a high potential for societal impact. ISGA is part of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA) and is based in the city of The Hague, the international city of peace and justice. FGGA is one of the seven faculties of Leiden University. This young, entrepreneurial, innovative organization has three scientific institutes, two centers, over 3,700 students, and 425 staff members. For more information about the faculty, click here.

Within ISGA, the Governance of Crisis research group focuses on understanding crisis, disasters, and emergencies, such as hurricanes, floods, accidents, cyber security breaches, system blackouts and terrorist attacks. Crises are considered to be serious threats to the basic structures or the fundamental values and norms of a system. Our approach reflects ISGA’s multidisciplinary nature, and leverages public administration, organizational, sociological, political, and methodological perspectives. Crisis Governance research has traditionally focused on either functional approaches to crisis management (preventing or mitigating tangible harm) or political approaches (responding to legitimacy and reputation threats, and organizational contingencies resulting from crises). Crisis governance research aims to identify, understand and explain the implications of the political, organizational and societal routines, perspectives and interests at stake in the strategic management of crises. Research on crisis governance should contribute to academic knowledge, inform public debate and support the development of professional practice. We are keen to link the study of crisis governance to broader disciplinary and interdisciplinary debates.

What You Bring

In this team, we are looking for someone who can work independently. Every job is different, so in the beginning we will devote attention to your onboarding. If some of the work activities are new to you, we will look together at what you need, and draw up a development plan. This position is a good fit for you if you recognize yourself in the following:

Applicants are expected to have:

• PhD degree in the broad fields of crisis and disaster management, safety studies, comparative policy studies, political science, organization sociology, organization studies, or public administration; or a related discipline that is relevant to teaching and researching crisis governance.
• Demonstrable research experience in the fields of crisis governance, disaster management, or safety studies, and an openness to other fields of inquiry.
• Outstanding research qualities manifest in an established or developing publication record.
• Demonstrable excellence in research-led teaching.
• Demonstrable passion for education, in and out of the classroom.
• Demonstrable commitment to a close-knit, interdisciplinary academic community.
• Demonstrable command of a diversity of research methods and techniques.
• Growing network of academics and professionals in the field of crisis governance both domestically and internationally.
• Ability to connect academic research to policy-oriented and societal impact.
• Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ).
• Excellent command of English, with the ability and willingness to work towards Dutch language proficiency withing two years. Current proficiency in Dutch is considered an asset.
• You live and are officially registered as resident in The Netherlands or are willing to relocate upon starting the position.

What We Offer

Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.

You can count on an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located in the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.

We also offer:

• An employment contract for the duration of 1 year with a view to permanent employment. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A salary of a minimum of € 4.925,- and a maximum of € 6.682,- gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (scale 11);
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel;
• Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
• Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription or bicycle scheme, and we also offer child-care options;
• If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
• A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop.

For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions

What We Value

Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.

If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Dr. Jeroen Wolbers, at [e-mail]. You can apply up to and including the 20th of November 2026; applications will be processed immediately thereafter.

To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions

• We believe mobility is very important. That is why we are also publishing this vacancy internally. In case of equal suitability, we will give priority to the internal candidate.
• A pre-employment screening (references, diplomas, certificate of good conduct (VOG)) may be part of the selection procedure.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this.