The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) seeks to appoint an Assistant Professor with a proven track record in the field of Conflict and Peace Studies. The teaching and research of the successful candidate primarily focuses on the role and impact of violent/armed conflict on and in development (and vice-versa), and on the consequences of conflict for security, peace, and justice. Their work displays a critical perspective. Preferably, the candidate has a regional research focus on either Africa, the MENA region, and/or East Asia.

We envisage hiring a broadly trained candidate with an interdisciplinary background, a PhD in conflict and peace studies or the social sciences, proven experience in and deep knowledge of the field of conflict, peace, and development. Expertise in feminist/gender/queer studies is an advantage.

This vacancy is for a tenure track position and would best suit an early career academic.

Embedding of the position
The successful candidate will join the teaching team responsible for the Major on Human Rights, Gender and Conflict Studies: Social Justice Perspectives (SJP) in the ISS MA in Development Studies. Collaboration with other majors and teaching input in the broader MA programme is also expected. This means that, besides being active in the specific field of conflict and peace studies and development, where appropriate and feasible we also expect our new colleague to contribute, for instance, to our General Course, foundation courses, and methodology teaching in the ISS MA in Development Studies, and/or to academic management and service. Experience with hybrid and online teaching is considered an asset as is experience with innovative teaching methodologies suitable for the highly diverse and international classrooms of the ISS.

The to-be-appointed assistant professor will be expected to carry out cutting-edge research, ideally from critical and interdisciplinary perspectives, as well as MA thesis and PhD supervision. The to-be-appointed assistant professor will become part of the ISS Research Programme ‘Global Development and Social Justice’ and will be affiliated with one of our four Research Groups. As part of its research strategy, the Institute currently also pursues four multidisciplinary, cross-cutting research themes: environment and climate change; conflict and peace; migration and diversity; and (especially relevant for this position) social protection and inequality. In education and research alike, the successful candidate is expected to be a team player along with quality individual work.

We are looking for candidates who meet the following requirements:

• A PhD in conflict and peace studies, or a relevant field of social sciences (i.e., sociology, political science, international relations, development studies, anthropology, social geography) with a focus on a theme and/or topics relevant to development;
• An academic background and documented expertise relevant to the role and impact of violent/armed conflict on and in development (and vice versa) and to the consequences of conflict for security, peace, and justice, from a critical perspective;
• Demonstrated experience, capacity and skills in teaching MA students, including thesis supervisions, teaching management, and teaching and applying mixed methods, qualitative interviewing, and/or critical social science research methods;
• Possession of a UTQ certificate (University Teaching Qualification, which is a formal Dutch higher education teaching qualification) or willingness to obtain the UTQ soon after joining ISS;
• An active publication strategy and solid publications record (in line with career stage);
• Ability to acquire research funding;
• Demonstrated experience in and commitment to teaching, research and service in multicultural environments.

Additional advantages

• Preferably a regional research focus on either Africa, the MENA region, and/or East Asia;
• Expertise in feminist/gender/queer studies is an advantage;
• Ability to teach general development studies subjects and/or foundation courses;
• Experience with hybrid and online teaching is an asset;
• Practical experience with/exposure to relevant work in the field of conflict and peace studies and development preferably in the Global South;
• Interest in, and ability to conduct or contribute to societally relevant teaching and research e.g., by contributions to public debate or co-creative collaborative projects.

Fixed-term contract: 6 years.

The selected candidate will be offered a temporary contract for 6 years at the level of Assistant Professor 2 with the possibility of tenure and promotion upon successful performance in the specified tenure track arrangement (to Assistant Professor 1 after 3 years and to Associate Professor 2 after 6 years).

The selected candidate will be located at International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague. Intended start date is soon as possible.

In accordance with the conditions applied at Erasmus University Rotterdam, as indicated in the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch universities, the salary is dependent on the candidate’s experience and knowledge and ranges from a minimum of € 3.974,- and a maximum of € 5.439,- gross per month, on a fulltime basis, in accordance with scale 11.

In addition, EUR pays an 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year payment of 8.3% and offers excellent secondary benefits, and a very generous leave scheme. We offer generous opportunities for additional education and attendance at scientific conferences. Furthermore, EUR is affiliated with ABP for the pension provision, and we offer partially paid parental leave, fully paid extended birth leave for partners, a personal education budget, work-life balance coaches and more. Employees can also use EUR facilities, such as the Erasmus sports center and the University library.

Erasmus University Rotterdam offers a Dual Career Programme (DCP) to assist the life partners of new academic staff (on payroll) in finding employment in The Netherlands. The programme is offered in close cooperation with the nearby universities of Delft and Leiden.=

The International Institute of Social Studies is committed to building and sustaining a community based on inclusiveness, equity and diversity and the ISS community believes this will contribute to the ISS mission and vision of being the best institute in its field. ISS is an equal opportunities employer, and encourages applications from candidates of all genders, ethnicities and nationalities.

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), named after the 15th century Rotterdam-born humanist and theologian Desiderius Erasmus, is a research university with a strong international orientation and a pronounced social focus, both in its education and research activities. The expertise of Erasmus University Rotterdam is concentrated in eight faculties or institutes focussing on Economics, Medicine and Health Sciences, Law, Social Sciences, History and Arts, Business Administration, Philosophy, and Development Studies. In addition to initial degree programmes and scientific research, the University offers specific postgraduate study programmes and courses. Erasmus University has around 39,000 students and approximately 3,600 staff members of more than 100 nationalities.

The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)

ISS is a leading academic centre for international development studies. While based in The Hague, the ISS is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam.

ISS was established in 1952 as a post-graduate institute of policy-oriented critical social science and development-oriented research. ISS offers a PhD in Development Studies, a 15,5 month MA in Development Studies, a joint MA in Public Policy (Mundus MAPP), a MPA in Governance delivered in Suriname, and post-graduate Diploma courses.

While currently most of our teaching is in person again (after a period of fully online and hybrid teaching due to COVID-19), ISS has embarked on a process of exploring the further potential of developing online courses. However, the candidate is expected to regularly teach (and perform other tasks) physically at ISS.

ISS brings together a highly diverse international community of scholars and students from both the global South and the global North, who on average originate from over 50 different countries. The Institute brings together people, ideas, and insights in a multi-disciplinary setting which nurtures, fosters and promotes critical thinking and innovative research on fundamental social problems. Our strong partnerships with organizations and individuals in the global South make up a vibrant network where we co-create knowledge so that teaching and research are societally relevant. Key to the ISS philosophy and practices is the wish to contribute to achieving social justice and equity on a global level.