The section History of International Relations (HIR) within the Department of History and Art History is looking for an Assistant Professor in Contemporary Conflict Studies. At HIR we study the history of international relations and global configurations of power and politics from an empirically grounded perspective, and with a keen interest in theoretical innovation. The section is organized along three thematic hubs: ‘Conflict and Security’, ‘Global and Imperial Relations’ and ‘Europe in the World.’  Each has its own vibrant intellectual community. We increasingly work and teach at the cross-sections of these fields on issues such as peace and diplomacy, environmental governance, decolonization, war, violence, terrorism and technology. We value team science, research-informed teaching, and we jointly run a series of ambitious educational programmes and community engagement learning labs. We aim to be both outspoken and nuanced in our public engagement activities.


Within the thematic hub ‘Conflict and Security,’ the contemporary Conflict Studies group focuses on the dynamics of contemporary violent conflicts and collective violence. It aims to unravel the complexity of the web of relations producing contemporary conflict, war, and collective violence, and the ways clusters of conflict cross-infect and exacerbate each other. We combine open-source investigation with fieldwork in areas ranging from Iraq, Syria, Colombia, from El Salvador to the US, France, and the Netherlands, drawing on a variety of academic disciplines such as anthropology, political sociology, international relations, and critical political economy. Currently, the Conflict Studies group is involved in a range of projects, including governance and mobilization of gangs, militias, and paramilitaries; Remote Warfare and new technologies of violence; Urban violence and policing; Weaponizing the environment; Cyberwarfare, and Genocide.

Our research is closely linked to the teaching we do in the minor in Conflict Studies and in the MA programme in Conflict Studies and Human Rights. We are looking for applicants specialized in the field of contemporary conflict studies with a keen interest in teaching and a specialization that complements our expertise (both regional , and thematic ).

The successful applicant will have the following qualifications:

• a PhD degree in Conflict Studies, Security Studies, International Relations, Political Science, International Sociology, Political Geography, History or a related discipline;
• experience with teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels, with a keen interest in engaging in teaching innovation and curriculum development, and a commitment to thesis and internship supervision in the MA Conflict Studies and Human Rights.
• a clear teaching philosophy, presented in a 1-page teaching philosophy statement in which you reflect on your teaching beliefs and practices, and the skills and knowledge you can bring to the existing teaching programs—namely, the CS minor and Master, but also to other courses taught by the section HIR;
• a record (appropriate to career stage) of publications that demonstrates the ability to conduct research at the forefront of the field of Conflict Studies, showing societal significance, originality, and academic rigor;
• an innovative research theme and strategy, outlined in a 1-page research statement, posing innovative and pressing questions related to the field of Conflict Studies, and aiming to contribute to team science, to engaging in interdisciplinary/international research projects, and to publishing in leading journals, with potential for attracting external research funding.
• demonstrated interest in engaging with stakeholders and wider audiences to co-create knowledge and to assist in developing the impact of research beyond the university.
• ability to play an appropriate role in departmental management and in thematic hubs, and to contribute fully to the academic life of the department.

Utrecht University has a teaching qualification system for university lecturers. The successful candidate is required to obtain the Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO) within two years if they are not already in possession of one.

Candidates are expected to be proficient in both Dutch and English; non-Dutch candidates will need to master the Dutch language on an academic level within two years.

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome all employees who contribute to the diversity at our faculty through their unique background and perspective.

We offer a temporary position (1.0 FTE), as from 15 January 2024 at the latest, for one year in an international working environment. After positive evaluation, this can be turned into a permanent position. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience - ranges between €3,974 and €5,439 (scale 11 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year.

In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, professional development, (partly paid) parental leave, sports and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.

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