PhD Fellow Terrorism and Political Violence

The Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs is looking for a

PhD fellow in its research group Terrorism and Political Violence.

The PhD fellow to develop a research project on the interplay between reality and fantasy in terrorism and political violence to contribute to our teaching portfolio in our bachelor and master programmes.

The intermingling of fact and fiction is a recurring feature of radicalized individuals and movements. Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik fantasized being the leader of a ‘Knights Templar’ resistance movement. The racist and violent fantasy of white resistance in the face of multiculturalist oppression described in the novel The Turner Diaries has inspired some of the deadliest acts of right-wing terrorism in recent history. Fantasy and myth are also being used to create new shared realities outside of right-wing extremist movements, including radical animal-rights groups, conspiracy movements (e.g. ‘red pilling’) and jihadist terrorists.

In both the academic and professional field of radicalism, extremism and terrorism, it has been noted that it is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate between what is real and what is fantasy in kaleidoscopic, violence-prone (digital) cultic milieus. Do these people really believe what they are saying? Is this an extremist form of ‘live action roleplaying’ (LARP) or an actual threat? Both over- and underestimating the intermingling of fact and fiction in radicalized settings can have serious implications for effectively dealing with radicalization and the violence that may result from it.

The research project has different objectives:

1. Developing a conceptual, theoretical and analytical approach based on the different, until now scattered approaches in the body of knowledge.
2. Empirical research into different historical and current manifestations of the intermingling of fantasy and reality in (extremist) movements and milieus.
3. Theoretically and empirically informed insights into whether the interplay between fact and fiction among radicalized groups and individuals can inhibit or encourage violence.

PhD fellows are junior academics who are responsible for teaching workgroups across the bachelor programmes and for teaching assistance in the master programmes, while also completing their PhD dissertation. They spend fifty percent of their time doing dissertation research and fifty per cent teaching, which includes the PhD training and tutor training they receive themselves. Because they teach half of the time, the fellows receive a tutor salary, and because they do PhD research half of the time the fellows have a 6-year contract to enable completion of their dissertation in that period.

PhD fellows primarily teach bachelor workgroups in which students work on their academic and professional skills using content from the lectures, and learn to apply relevant theories and practices. Collaborating with the course lecturers, tutors design workgroups, teach in small groups, provide input on assessment methods and rubrics, and grade assignments. In addition, they assist in master programme teaching under supervision of the course examiner. Teaching expertise, experience, and trainings allow the PhD fellow to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ or BKO in Dutch).

Research by the PhD fellow includes all research activities necessary to complete a dissertation within the six-year time frame plus a mandatory PhD training programme offered by the ISGA and FGGA graduate school. The successful candidate will join the Research Groups Terrorism and Political Violence within ISGA. The research should lead to a PhD within a six-year timeframe.

Prospective candidates need to demonstrate a clear affinity with both teaching and research on the topic of this vacancy, in their CV and motivation letter plus a research statement on the vacancy topic. The PhD fellow will be supervised by dr. Bart Schuurman and dr. Jelle van Buuren. The candidate will perform the research and teaching at or on behalf of the Institute of Security and Global Affairs.

Selection criteria

• Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as a Security Studies; Terrorism Studies; International Relations; Public Administration; Political Science; or Crisis and Security Management. A Master’s degree in other disciplines will be considered if degree or field of research is relevant to the topic of the vacancy. A research master’s degree is considered an asset;
• Demonstrable ability and enthusiasm for research at the intersection of conceptual and policy-oriented research;
• Demonstrable excellence in academic writing;
• Recent graduate or 1-2 years of relevant work experience. This is an early career position;
• Basic knowledge of, and interest in safety and/or security issues and how they are studied within various disciplines;
• Enthusiasm for teaching and mentoring students with demonstrated didactic and guiding skills;
• Ability to work well in an international team, be flexible, work well under pressure and show initiative;
• Experience with teaching and/or mentoring students (using a variety of teaching methods and tools);
• Strong proficiency in English (written and verbal); Dutch language proficiency is considered an asset. Successful candidates may be asked to develop their Dutch language proficiency in trainings offered by the university in course of their contract term.
• Intercultural sensitivity and the ability to integrate different perspectives in your teaching and collaborations;
• In possession of, or willingness to work towards obtaining, a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ);
• Available full-time. Lectures and workgroups may be scheduled outside of regular office hours.
• In the event of equivalent suitability, internal candidates may be given preference over external candidates.

Where you will work
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 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 smile 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. 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 and cybercrime. The institute is characterised 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 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 just steps away from 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 6 years. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A salary of a minimum of € 3226,-- and a maximum of € 5090,-- gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (scale 10);
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• 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.
• 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.
• Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

For more information about employment conditions, see Job application procedure and employment conditions.

What we find important
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.

Applications
You can apply until 6 September 2024; Please include the vacancy number in your motivation letter. Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed between 16 and 30 September. First round interviews could be held through an online platform. The selected candidate will start before 31 December 2024.

• Your CV (including degrees, work experience, research and teaching experience and training in research methods); and
• Motivation letter, including your motivation for combination of teaching and research, your relevant interest and experience in the subject matter and in doing advanced research (max 2 pages);
• A writing sample (postgraduate thesis or publication);
• A research statement, where you will pitch your specific ideas on how you would approach the project. This should include: your research question(s); how you would approach answering these questions (i.e. a preliminary research design, appropriate data, and analysis methodologies); and what you consider to be the academic (empirical and/or conceptual) contributions and relevance of the research (max 1000 words);
• The names and addresses of two referees (no recommendation letters required at this stage).

The first interviews will take place between 16 and 30 September. Candidates will be asked to prepare a short 5 minute teaching segment on a topic of their choosing.

For further information please contact dr. Bart Schuurman, at b.w.schuurman@fgga.leidenuniv.nl

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. #LI-Hybrid