Assistant Professor of Public Policy, with a focus on digital governance (1.0fte)
Join our dynamic team at Leiden University! We seek a passionate scholar to contribute to cutting-edge research on the interplay between automation in government and the digitalisation of society, and their effects on policy.

What you will do
The Institute of Public Administration at Leiden University is looking for a new colleague for the position of Assistant Professor of Public Policy, with a focus on digital governance. This position contributes to the Institute’s ambition to further strengthen its education and research in this area. We are specifically looking for a colleague enthusiastic about participating in an interfaculty initiative that focuses on resilience in youth, where they would contribute to interdisciplinary research on the interplay between algorithmic ambitions in government and society, and how this affects policy instruments and responses as well as specific groups, such as youth.

As an assistant professor you will:

• Teach, improve, and/or develop courses at bachelor and master level, specifically in the area of digital technologies in the public sector, both within our own public administration programmes and in programmes with other faculties.
• Supervise bachelor and master theses.
• Build and expand your own line of research in the field of public administration, specifically on the intersection of policy, governance, and digitalisation.
• Take part in interdisciplinary projects and interfaculty initiatives on resilience and automation, specifically the sectorplan SSH theme on resilience in young people.
• Participate in national and international academic research networks and publish in international scientific journals;
• Play an active role in linking scientific research and education to the practice of policy and management on the topic of this position.
• Contribute to the acquisition of research grants.

Where you will work
The mission of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA) is to contribute 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.

This is done at 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 Public Administration, which is part of FGGA, is one of the largest and oldest institutes on academic research and teaching in the field of public administration in the Netherlands. The institute combines a solid international academic reputation with a central positioning among the international, national, regional, and local governance institutions in The Hague. The institute has an international profile and gets high peer reviewed ratings, both for its research and education. More information on the Institute of Public Administration.

Within the Institute, you will be part of the Public Policy & Innovation department and join The Hague Centre on Digital Governance, a creative and ambitious team working on digitalisation, data and AI in public policy, -values and governance. The department is committed to team-based science and education and has excellent working relationships with other groups and disciplines, is an active member of SAILS (the interdisciplinary AI network at Leiden University), and actively seeks collaboration with public sector practice

What you bring

• You hold a doctorate in public administration, public policy, political science, organisational sciences, sociology or another relevant field in the social sciences, with a research agenda that fits this position’s focus on digitalisation and public policy.
• You have demonstratable affinity with and knowledge about public governance, especially with respect to digitalisation, data, and/or AI.
• You have publications in national and international scientific journals or demonstrable potential to realise them;
• You are enthusiastic about teaching, have experience with university teaching and are open to innovative and activating teaching methods;
• You are a team player and like to work with colleagues, who may be partly employed at other institutes and faculties.
• You have experience or affinity with collaborating with societal partners within the public sector (local, national or international) and are capable of developing and maintaining external networks.
• You have a Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO) or are prepared to obtain this qualification within two years;
• You are proficient in Dutch and English (or willingness to master a C1 level of fluency in Dutch within two years, supported by the Institute).

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.

The Assistant Professor to be recruited will become part of an ambitious and dynamic team of colleagues building upon the successes of recent years. There is a lot of collaboration across the boundaries of disciplines.

We also offer:

• An employment contract for the duration of one year with a view to permanent employment, after a positive evaluation. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A salary of a minimum of € 4.492,- and a maximum of € 6.148,- 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;
• 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.
• You have (near) native proficiency in Dutch and English (or willingness to master a C1 level of fluency in Dutch within two years, with funding being provided by the institute).

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

Want to apply or find out more?
If you want to apply straight away, click the application button. Please ensure that you upload the following documents in PDF format:

• a motivation letter
• a curriculum vitae, including a list of publications
• a writing sample, such as previously published work
• the names and e-mail addresses of three referees (note that reference letters are not needed at this stage).

If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact prof. dr. Sarah Giest, Professor of Public Policy and head of the Public Policy and Innovation section at s.n.giest@fgga.leidenuniv.nl. You can apply until February 14, 2025.

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