Within the framework of the stimulation programme in the field of Social Resilience and Security, the Executive Board of Leiden University has made available funding to establish a joint chair at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences and the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (0.5 fte per Faculty).  The chair will include one PhD researcher position. The Chair may be occupied in a full-time or a part-time capacity (minimum 0.5 fte). 

In the area of research and teaching, the focus of the professor of Social Resilience and Security will lie on making a well-founded contribution to the scientific and societal debate about issues in the field of, and the relationship between, security and the brain. The professor will contribute to knowledge and insight concerning the interplay between social determinants (such as family of origin, peer influence), neurobiological processes, and various aspects of forensic care (diagnostics, prevention, and treatment) in the case of behaviour that transgresses societal norms. To this end, the professor will seek to overcome the current scientific and societal vacuum and to fill this gap through research, teaching, and, crucially, through providing insight into the research findings and in this way contributing to public debate.

In the broader context of the stimulation area of Social Resilience and Security, the etiology of norm-transgressive behaviour will be mapped out from an interdisciplinary perspective. In this, a distinction will be drawn between factors on the macro-, meso-, and micro-level that together contribute to the emergence of the phenomenon. In studying the macro factors – in close collaboration with the Faculties of Archeology, Law, and Humanities – the focus will be on the historical, legal, and normative context of this field, respectively.  In studying the meso factors, the focus will lie on the systems (social or other) within which violence occurs and the governance of security and interventions. This will be the domain mainly of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs. At the micro-level, finally, further research will be carried out – under the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences – into the influence of individual factors, including neurobiological factors and the influence of childhood and family of origin. In addition, research will explore the role and effect of behavioural and judicial interventions on the further development of violent behaviour.   

Key responsibilities

• Development and dissemination (at the international level) of new theoretical insights on the basis of high-quality empirical data;
• Independent reflection on existing evidence-based insights about how to understand and stop norm-transgressive behaviour in the Netherlands and further afield, and how to stimulate policy and governance practice by integrating evidence-based research into policy interventions;
• Both independently and collaboratively, conducting scientific research with a national or international focus, in line with the stimulation area of the University of Leiden, Social Resilience and Security as well as EU initiatives such as the Challenge 'Secure Societies: Protecting Freedoms and Security of Europe and its Citizens'; 
• Participating in public and scientific debate and giving presentations at international conferences concerning the brain, security, and interventions;
• Acquiring external research funding (2nd and 3rd research funding 'flows') and externally funded PhD candidates in the field of neuroscience and transgressive behaviour and in the field of interpersonal violence;
• Guiding ongoing research by associate professors and postdoctoral researchers;
• Supervising PhD research projects;
• Expanding the network of researchers and stakeholders in this field, both within the Netherlands and internationally. 

• We realise that the profile of this Chair is extremely broad. We therefore explicitly invite you to apply if you believe you fit even part of the profile;
• A doctorate, background, and research (both in teaching and research) relating to the brain, security, resilience, and interventions, with an emphasis on the field of violence;
• Up-to-date knowledge of the latest developments relating to the brain, security, interventions, and resilience, in the national, international, and global context;
• Excellent research abilities, as evidenced by international publications and research projects;
• Excellent teaching abilities, as evidenced by teaching evaluations and/or the coordination of teaching; and experience of supervising PhD research projects;
• Excellent command of spoken and written Dutch and English (or willingness to learn);
• The candidate we seek will advance research in this field through his or her expertise, but he or she will also show vision and entrepreneurial drive (identifying opportunities and possibilities, showing daring). Due in part to the collaboration between two faculties, it is essential that the candidate possess a strong capacity for collaborative leadership and a highly developed sense of their surroundings.

The appointment will be made on a temporary contract for up to 4 years. A permanent appointment may be possible after the term of the initial contract, depending upon performance (including teaching, research and administration). The salary ranges from €5,582 to €8,127 gross per month (pay scale H2 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with an additional holiday bonus (8% of annual salary) and end-of-year bonus (8.3% of annual salary), training and career development. 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.

Leiden University attaches great importance to the quality of its teaching. It therefore requires all academic staff with teaching duties to possess the University Teaching Qualification or be prepared to earn this within two years.

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences 
Leiden University’s Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences comprises four institutes: Education and Child Studies, Political Science, Psychology, and Cultural Anthropology & Development Sociology. The Faculty also includes the Centre for Science and Technology Studies. The Faculty is home to 5,000 students and 600 members of staff. Its teaching and research programmes cover diverse topics varying from adoption to political behaviour. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/social-behavioural-sciences. 

Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs
The Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) is a scientific institute that focuses on multidisciplinary research and education within the international scientific field of security studies. The institute analyses and studies issues in a coherent way, examining their local, transnational and global impact.

The institute is part of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA). The faculty is located in The Hague, the city of peace, security and justice. Here students and researchers look at 21st century issues through a combined perspective of public administration, political science, law, sociology and economics. This interdisciplinary approach gives the Faculty’s research and teaching its cross-border character.

For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/governance-and-global-affairs.