PhD position in organisational science and cybersecurity

Leiden University via AcademicTransfer; Netherlands; Hybrid; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Home-working allowance (day and 인터넷)

Laptop provided

Hybrid work within the Netherlands

ABP pension

Job summary

Leiden University is seeking a PhD candidate for a five-year project on applying Safety 2 principles to cybersecurity solutions. The role focuses on organisational dynamics, governance, and how organisations prevent cyber incidents through effective structures and communication.

The position is based in The Hague with hybrid options and a competitive Dutch university salary. 38 hours per week, including onboarding and potential extension after evaluation.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in organisational science or related field.
• Strong interest in cybersecurity governance and the willingness to learn.
• Experience in quantitative research is required; qualitative research is an asset.
• Excellent collaboration and stakeholder-facing communication skills.
• Dutch language proficiency is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Conduct empirical research on organisational aspects of cybersecurity in organisations.
• Familiarise yourself with the field through self-study or in-house courses.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity governance researchers to address the main research question.
• Work across departments to understand structure, power dynamics and communication in organisations.

Skills

Collaboration

Strong communication

Dutch language (asset)

Quantitative research experience

Independent work

Education

Master’s degree in organisational science

Job description

Organisation/Company Leiden University Research Field Political sciences » Governance Sociology » Societal behaviour Sociology » Sociology of enterprise Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 3 Dec 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 38.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

For our NWO-funded project “From ‘what went wrong’ to ‘what works well?’ Using Safety 2 principles to develop new cybersecurity solutions”, we are looking for a PhD candidate interested in building positive cybersecurity solutions for organisations. In this five-year project, we aim to develop cybersecurity solutions that organisations can implement in their ways of working based on what we learn from organisations where cybersecurity is managed successfully. The main research question the team will answer is: “What do successful organisations do differently on the individual, team, and organisational level to prevent the occurrence of cyber incidents or reduce their impact?” This position focuses on the organisational level of the main research question.

What you will do

The successful applicant will work with researchers from the cybersecurity governance and the governance of crisis research group to help answering this question. Knowledge of (organisational) cybersecurity at the start of the project is not a requirement. However, we do expect the successful applicants to quickly familiarise themselves with the field through self-study or by taking in-house courses. The successful applicant will conduct empirical research on what successful organisations do differently on the organisational level. Is it the structure, power dynamics or perhaps the communication between departments that warrants success? Or can other factors be found that explain what organisations could do differently to improve their cybersecurity?

Where you will work

ISGA is a scientific institute specializing in security, safety, and global challenges. These include challenges in the fields of cybersecurity, crises, intelligence, terrorism, war, violence, and diplomacy. 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 .

The interdisciplinary Cybersecurity Governance research group works on the non‑technical side of cybersecurity at all levels of society. This includes the cybersecurity of end‑users in organisations, regulation on the national and international level, but also international relations and diplomacy. The group consists of scientists with a range of different background including psychology, criminology, public administration, philosophy, political science, sociology and law. These different backgrounds are used to create collaborations to understand how we can improve cybersecurity on both the national and international level.

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 Master’s degree in organisational science, psychology, communication science, behavioural sciences, political science, sociology, or a related field.
• An interest in cybersecurity and the willingness to learn about this field if it is new to you.
• Demonstrated experience in quantitative research. Experience in qualitative research is considered an asset.
• A collaborative mindset, the ability to work in a team.
• Strong communication skills for interaction with stakeholders and communicating scientific findings.
• A proficiency in Dutch is considered an asset.

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.

• An employment contract for 38 hours a week (1.0 fte) as a PhD candidate, initially for a period of 1 year, with the possibility of extension for 3 years after a positive evaluation. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A salary of a minimum of € 3.204,- and a maximum of € 4.051,- gross per month, based on a full‑time appointment (38 hours) (scale [P0-P3]);
• 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;
• The successful candidate lives‑and is officially registered as resident in The Netherlands or is willing to relocate upon starting the position.
• A home‑working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop.
• All our PhD students are embedded in the Graduate School of Governance and Global Affairs. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness.

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 the principal investigator of the project, dr. Tommy van Steen via [e-mail].

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) 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.