We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join our international research team. The position is part of the 5-year research programme, funded by the European Research Council (ERC), entitled “Reputation Matters in the Regulatory State: Re-thinking the Fundamentals of Regulatory Independence, Credibility and Accountability” (EU_RICA), led by Dr Madalina Busuioc (principal investigator).

The ERC programme studies how reputational considerations impact core features of non-majoritarian regulators, their legitimising strategies as well as crucial aspects pertaining to their accountability. Adopting a reputational lens allows us to move beyond exclusive economic regulation logics, which have dominated the literature, to one in which greater recognition is accorded to wider organisational considerations, to the relevance of broader constituencies and the presence of informal constraints on (regulatory) power, beyond formal structures and hierarchical relations. For more information see the project website euricaerc.eu.

The postdoctoral project will be focusing specifically on the relationship between regulatory independence and (perceptions of) regulatory credibility,within a comparative cross-national context. Operating outside ministerial hierarchies, independent agencies are increasingly involved in regulating nearly every aspect of our lives from the medicines or the food we consume, to the safety of our planes or of our (financial) markets. The credibility of such bodies is specifically premised on their insulation from politics. Agency independence from direct political control is understood to enhance the time-consistency of regulatory commitments—and thereby, the credibility of regulatory policy. At the same time, however, to cultivate a supportive political and stakeholder environment, to attain support and a reputation for competence, regulatory institutions need to interact, respond and satisfy expectations from their multiple—political and stakeholder— audiences.

More under “Additional information”

• We are looking for a motivated candidate who can make the sub-project his/her own intellectual product, while executing the project in synergy with the other projects in the programme and in line with the demands and deliverables of the overall ERC programme;

• A completed (or will have completed prior to start date) PhD degree in public administration/political science, or another relevant field of social sciences;
• Expertise in the research field and a strong interest in the research topic;
• Possess solid command of quantitative methods— experience with experiments and/or cross-national surveys are desirable—and qualitative methods;
• A promising track-record of publications in international peer-reviewed journals of the discipline;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and the ability to effectively communicate with external audiences;
• A strong background in comparative public administration/regulation research.

The successful candidate will be part of an ambitious and dynamic research team. Subject to interest, it may also be possible to take up some teaching duties within the Institute. We offer a fixed-term post for a period of one year with an extension of additional one year after positive evaluation of capabilities and compatibility.  Start date as soon as possible, preferably no later than September 2018.
Subject to experience, salary ranges from €3,475 gross per month to €4,757 gross per month on full-time base (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. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions.

Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Universiteit Leiden

Leiden is a typical university city, hosting the oldest university in the Netherlands (1575). The University permeates the local surroundings; University premises are scattered throughout the city, and the students who live and study in Leiden give the city its relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere.

Leiden University is one of Europe's foremost research universities. This prominent position gives our graduates a leading edge in applying for academic posts and for functions outside academia. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at.

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/werken-bij

Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs

The project is embedded at the Institute of Public Administration of Leiden University. The Institute is one of the largest and oldest institutes of 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 of The Hague. The Institute of Public Administration has consistently received high ratings in peer reviews of both its teaching and research programmes.

The Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs offers academic education in the field of Public Administration, Safety and Security, and International Relations, as well as in-depth post-academic programmes for professionals. The Institute of Public Administration is located in the Wijnhaven building, on the university’s campus in The Hague. We are a mere five minutes’ walk from The Hague Central Station and a 20-minute bike/tram ride to the beach. 

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/governance-and-global-affairs