Assistant Professor in Security and Rule of Law- NL

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work option

Laptop provided

Public transport reimbursement

Holiday leave and pension

Job summary

Leiden University’s Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) seeks an assistant professor specialized in security and the rule of law. The role combines teaching, independent research, and interdisciplinary collaboration in The Hague.

The candidate will develop courses, supervise theses, pursue publication in top journals, and contribute to ISGA’s teaching renewal and research strategy within a supportive, international environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in security studies, law, cybersecurity, international relations, policy studies, political science, public administration, or related discipline relevant to security studies
• Demonstrable research experience in security studies and openness to other fields of inquiry
• Outstanding research qualities with publication record
• Excellence in research-led teaching
• Passion for education, in and out of the classroom
• Commitment to interdisciplinary community
• Diversity of research methods and techniques
• Growing network of academics and professionals in field
• Ability to connect research to policy impact
• UTQ teaching qualification required by Leiden University
• Excellent English and willingness to learn Dutch; Dutch proficiency is an asset

Responsibilities

• Develop and teach courses in security studies and the rule of law
• Conduct independent research related to security and the rule of law
• Publish in academic and non-academic outlets, focusing on international peer-reviewed journals
• Contribute to renewal/improvement of teaching at Bachelor’s and Master’s level
• Take on administrative and coordination tasks within ISGA
• Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement ISGA’s research strategy
• Supervise theses and capstone projects
• Contribute to student mentoring and advising within the tutorial system
• Acquire and manage research and training projects funded by third parties
• Demonstrate ability to teach across security-related topics to support other teaching programmes

Job description

The Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) is looking for an assistant professor with research and teaching expertise in security and the rule of law.

What You Will Do

• Develop and teach courses in security studies and the rule of law
• Conduct independent research on topics related to security and the rule of law
• 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 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 beyond our offerings in the rule of law.

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.

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 recognise yourself in the following:

• A PhD degree in security studies, law, cybersecurity, international relations, policy studies, political science, public administration, or a related discipline that is relevant to teaching and researching security studies;
• Demonstrable research experience in the field of security 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 security and the rule of law 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. Current proficiency in Dutch is considered an asset.

What We Offer

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 one 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 based on 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 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.
• 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.
• The successful candidate must live in The Netherlands prior to the start of contract.

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

What We Value

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.

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.

• Motivation letter.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications.
• One sample publication.
• A teaching portfolio, including teaching evaluations.
• The names and contact information of three potential referees (referees will only be contacted if the candidate is invited to an interview).

You can apply up to and including November 27th 2026; late applications will not be considered.

To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure.

• 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.