In the period 2019-2023, Leiden University’s Executive Board (CvB) will invest 3.5 million euros in the inter-disciplinary focus area ‘Citizenship, Migration and Global Transformations.’ Within this initiative, funding for the pillar on ‘Social Citizenship and Migration’ allows the Van Vollenhoven Institute to appoint a post-doctoral researcher.

Many European countries face a wide variety of challenges resulting from old and new migrations, which raise questions regarding perceived threats and opportunities transpiring from ethnic diversity, integration and social participation, racism, and the need for (re-)defining national identity, belonging, civic responsibilities and the sustainability of national social welfare regimes. These challenges test the limits of cross-national and cross-generational solidarities, addressing the very foundation of governance and society. Solutions that have been formulated range from policies and regulations for immigration, to education and stimulating social participation to restructuring the welfare state. Importantly, challenges are not only related to migrants but pertain to all social groups, who, in varying degrees, are faced with questions regarding identity, solidarity, belonging, hospitality and compassion, as well as participation in politics and society. These questions all refer to what we call social citizenship, which is not about nationalities recorded in a passport, but about feelings and practices of belonging, responsibilities and loyalties.

The overall aim of this programme is to analyze how developments in immigration and social citizenship provide and provided challenges and opportunities for the governance of societies and to inform theory and practice. Several societal and governance issues related to citizenship (e.g. housing, social conflict over ideology, moral values, exercising of rights) have become even more complex due to recent developments in immigration. These themes have been studied before, but not sufficiently in conjunction and not from multiple, integrated, perspectives.

For this postdoctoral position we invite scholars with a PhD in Law, Humanities and/or the Social Sciences to apply. We are explicitly looking for candidates that are comfortable – both theoretically and empirically – working in an interdisciplinary project and an international work environment. We are explicitly inviting candidates who are interested in looking into the ways in which the ongoing merger of crime control and migration control – also known as the process of crimmigration – has influenced, or relates to, issues related to membership and social citizenship in both the Global North and the Global South.

Key responsibilities

• Developing and conducting socio-legal research in the domain of the research program on Social Citizenship & Migration with a specific focus on crimmigration and/or border control;
• Cooperating in the acquisition and management of the research program on Social Citizenship & Migration;
• Inspiring the PhD candidates working within the aforementioned research program;
• Teaching (guest)lectures in the VVI’s curriculum.

• Relevant master’s degree in Law, and/or Social Sciences, and/or Humanities;
• PhD degree directly relevant in scope and empirical approach to the field of Law & Society;
• Teaching experience;
• Experience or a strong and visible affinity with socio-legal research on migration and/ or border control on the national and local level in the Global North and/or the Global South;
• Good publication record commensurate with career stage;
• Good language skills, including an excellent command of English. Knowledge of Dutch is considered an advantage;
• Team player with strong proven organizational skills, and relevant networks;
• Willingness to travel.

We offer a one year term position, with the possibility of renewal based on need, funding and performance. Salary range from € 3.637,- to € 4.978,- gross per month on a full-time basis (pay scale 11, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information: application procedure and employment conditions.

With over 5,000 students and 450 members of staff, Leiden Law School is one of the largest faculties in the Netherlands. Yet, in all its diversity, it is still known for its ability to provide education on a small scale. The faculty focuses on multi-faceted high-level teaching and research, both nationally and internationally. It does so by working with talented people and stimulating and supporting them in their professional and personal ambitions. The faculty is housed in the beautifully restored Kamerlingh Onnes Building on the Steenschuur in Leiden. Working for the Leiden Law School means working in an inspiring scientific environment. For more information, see Leiden Law School.

The Van Vollenhoven Institute for Law, Governance and Society (VVI) is part of the Leiden Law School. The VVI seeks to advance knowledge of the formation and functioning of legal systems in their social contexts, the impact of these systems on society and vice versa, their effectiveness in governance, and their contribution to development. The Institute adopts a socio-legal and global approach, doing research on law in the books and law in action in Asia (notably Indonesia, China), Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. VVI staff teaches several socio-legal thematic and regional courses for both Dutch and foreign exchange students. In addition, VVI provides PhD supervision, advisory services and training courses to policy makers and practitioners.