Associate Professor of Diplomacy, International Relations, and International Organization (1.0 fte)

The Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA), within the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA) at Leiden University, is seeking to appoint an Associate Professor of Diplomacy, International Relations and International Organization.

Applicants will be mid-career scholars that have developed a strong research agenda and an excellent publication record in the fields of international diplomacy, international relations and international organization, broadly construed, including organizational aspects and public administration approaches. The ideal candidate will also have substantial teaching experience in one of these areas, particularly in view of their expected role in the two-year advanced MSc International Relations and Diplomacy program, delivered in collaboration with the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael.

What you will do

The candidate, embedded within the Diplomacy and Global Affairs research group, will play a key role in strengthening ISGA’s teaching, research, publication output and grant-acquisition capacity at a time of growing student enrolment and exciting interdisciplinary research opportunities.

The successful applicant will be expected to:

• Conduct high-visibility, independent research in the fields of international diplomacy, international relations, and international organization, developing a strong and distinct research program.
• Support the ongoing development and implementation of the research strategy of ISGA by publishing in leading international outlets and by attracting substantive individual and/or collaborative research grants.
• Lead a team of junior scholars in research and grant acquisition.
• Play a leading role in research or education accreditations.
• Deliver high-quality teaching on the theory and practice of diplomacy, including recent developments in diplomacy, organizational aspects and emerging tools and trends in (international) diplomatic affairs.
• Supervise master-level theses.
• Design new courses, lead and reform or develop education programs.
• Participate in committees related to ISGA and its teaching programs.
• Contribute to public debates through writing and media engagement on key issues in international diplomacy, international relations, and international organization.

Where you will work

What is the mission of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA)? Contributing to society. The faculty does this through high-quality interdisciplinary education and (new) scientific knowledge. Whether it is diplomacy, geopolitics, terrorism, security, artificial intelligence or a governance solution to the housing crisis, contemporary issues are comprehensively addressed at FGGA.

In the heart of The Hague, where important decisions are made, students and professionals come together to gain knowledge and skills. There is much collaboration with academic and societal partners, which ensures that students leave university with a joy, skills and one foot in the future, ready to make a substantial contribution to society.

FGGA is one of the seven faculties of Leiden University. This young, entrepreneurial, innovative organisation has three scientific institutes, two centres, over 3,700 students and 425 staff members. For more information about the faculty, click here.

The Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) is a scientific institute specialising in security issues and global affairs, including international security and conflict resolution issues. ISGA is part of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs of Leiden University.

ISGA analyses and studies security issues with local, national, transnational and global impact. These include crises, intelligence, terrorism, war, violence, cybercrime as well as issues as related to global affairs. The institute is characterized by a multidisciplinary research approach.

ISGA is based in the residential city of The Hague, the international city of peace, justice and security. Inspiring interactions are maintained with other knowledge institutions, regional, national and international governments, the private sector and NGOs.

What you bring

We are looking for someone who can work independently. However, 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:

• PhD degree in International Relations, Political Science, Economics, Public Administration or a related academic area.
• A proven track record in developing an independent and original research programme, as demonstrated by publications in leading international peer-reviewed journals in international diplomacy, international relations, and/or international organizations.
• A demonstrated ability to develop an original research programme, evidenced by a proven track record of securing individual and/or collaborative research grants.
• A clear leadership track record, demonstrating skills to lead, support, and manage a team of junior scholars.
• Excellent knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies.
• Contributions to international networks and academic communities, including the organization of conferences, sections, and workshops, involvement in the boards of academic journals, delivering keynotes, managing research networks, or comparable scholarly service.
• Excellent teaching capabilities, demonstrated by teaching record and qualifications, experience with executive teaching and the use of innovative pedagogical methods.
• Established leading role and/or embedding in international academic and/or professional networks in the fields of international diplomacy, international relations, and international organization.
• Evidence of contributions to public debate on key issues in international diplomacy, international relations, and international organization, and the ability to connect academic research to policy-oriented impact.
• Excellent command of English.
• (Near) native proficiency in Dutch or willing to attain sufficient professional fluency in Dutch within two years, with funding for courses provided.

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 activities we organise through Healthy University.

We also offer:

• An employment contract for the duration of one year initially with a view to permanent employment after this period. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A salary of a minimum of € 6.512,- and a maximum of € 7.904,- gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (scale 13).
• 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.

Want to apply or find out more?

If you want to apply straight away, click the application button and submit the following documents (PDF format), quoting the vacancy number:

• Motivation letter (maximum 2 pages).
• Research statement, including medium- to long-term research programme (2-4 pages).
• Teaching statement, including teaching philosophy (maximum 2 pages).
• Curriculum vitae including a list of publications.
• Two sample publications in English.
• The names and e-mail addresses of three referees (please do not submit reference letters at this stage).

If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Antoaneta Dimitrova ([email protected]) and Jaroslaw Kantorowicz ([email protected]). You can apply up to and including 30 September 2026; interviews are expected in October 2026. The preferred start date for the position is by the 1st of February 2027.

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.