Leiden University Offers 3 Fully Funded Ph.D. Positions in Crisis Management

Location: Leiden, Netherlands
Faculty: Social and Behavioural Sciences
Institute: Political Science
Contract Type: Full-time (1.0 FTE)
Application Deadline: 17 June 2025
Start Date: To be discussed
Vacancy Number: 15702
Apply here: Leiden University Career Portal

Overview

The Institute of Political Science at Leiden University invites applications for three full-time Ph.D. positions in crisis management, as part of the prestigious NWO-funded Gravitation Programme Adapt!. The programme is dedicated to understanding how societies can respond to large-scale crises—such as pandemics, climate disasters, and social unrest—while preserving democratic values and legitimacy.

These positions fall under Work Package 3: Strategic Governance Capacity, and each Ph.D. project explores a unique yet interconnected facet of crisis governance.

Ph.D. Projects

Project 1: Building Robust Crisis Detection Mechanisms
This project explores how organisations develop cultures of vigilance to detect early warning signals of emerging crises. Drawing on the theory of High Reliability Organisations (HROs), the research will investigate how principles of organisational alertness contribute to the timely recognition of “anomalous events” across three domains: public order, pandemics, and extreme weather. The study aims to identify conditions under which threats are identified early and managed effectively.

Project 2: Enhancing Crisis Response Networks
This research investigates the dynamics of governmental crisis response, focusing on four key areas: information management, critical decision-making, collaborative governance, and crisis communication. Using comparative case studies—such as Covid-19 responses in the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden—the project will identify the success and failure factors in building cohesive, timely, and legitimate multi-actor crisis responses.

Project 3: Ethics of Crisis Leadership
This project examines the ethical dilemmas faced by crisis leaders when values clash under conditions of uncertainty and urgency. Case studies such as the Cuban Missile Crisis or pandemic-era decision-making will provide insight into how leaders weigh conflicting values (e.g., freedom vs. safety), respond to public scrutiny, and maintain legitimacy. The study also assesses how public perceptions of ethical decision-making shape confidence in crisis leadership.

What the Position Involves

• Conducting independent doctoral research leading to a Ph.D. degree.
• Collaborating with scholars in the Adapt! programme across disciplines.
• Participating in programme-wide meetings and research activities.
• Publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at academic conferences.

Candidate Profile

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Hold a (Research) Master’s degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Crisis Management, Philosophy, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrate strong research skills and a clear motivation for pursuing a Ph.D.
• Have a keen interest in interdisciplinary and policy-relevant research.
• Possess excellent academic writing and communication skills in English; Dutch proficiency is a plus.
• Be eager to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team.

Working Environment

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Leiden University consists of five institutes and is home to over 7,000 students and 1,000 staff members. The Institute of Political Science is internationally recognised for its research in comparative politics, international relations, and political theory. It offers undergraduate and graduate programmes in both Dutch and English at campuses in Leiden and The Hague.

Terms of Employment

• Initial one-year contract with the possibility of a three-year extension based on satisfactory progress.
• Monthly gross salary ranging from €2,901 to €3,707 (scale P, based on 38 hours/week).
• Secondary benefits include:
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus.
  • Minimum of 29 paid leave days (full-time basis).
  • Flexible working hours and hybrid work options.
  • Home-working allowance and modern digital equipment.
  • Attractive pension scheme with ABP.
  • Options for sabbatical, parental leave, and career development.

Inclusivity and Diversity

Leiden University is committed to fostering an inclusive academic environment where students and staff from diverse backgrounds feel respected and supported. Candidates from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted online no later than 17 June 2025. Candidates are advised to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested applicants should prepare a CV, a motivation letter, a research sample (e.g., thesis), and academic transcripts.

Apply Here

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the awarding organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.