The project assistant is responsible for part of the organisation of the 12th edition of the International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS), which is planned to take place in Kyoto, Japan, from 24-27 August 2021. ICAS is a global convention in which Asia scholars and social and cultural actors from the whole world can directly interact. The appointment is initially for five months, and may be extended for another seven months, possibly with extra hours, after 15 February 2021. The project assistant will:

• Assist with the general organisation of ICAS 12;
• Answer questions from participants and interested parties, and queries regarding submitting their proposals, participation, panel and paper changes etc. And other practical inquiries; 
• Assist in preparing the proposals for the ICAS review committees; 
• Assist in sending letters of acceptance or rejection; 
• Processing registrations/confirmation of participation in the participants’ database; 
• Provide administrative support for drafting the programme, survey of abstracts and other information; 
• Assist with the implementation of virtual participation (scheduling, access links etc.); 
• Sort and monitor all correspondence; 
• Update ICAS social media. 

• Higher/academic education with an interest in the field of Asian Studies;
• Interest and experience in online modes of event organisation, particularly a capacity to learn and adapt new methods in a post-Corona context;
• Good oral and written command of Dutch and English; 
• Demonstrable experience in working within an international environment;
• Working experience with automated and digital processes and quick to adapt to new software;
• Communicative, good social skills, result driven, and pro-active;
• Experience with event planning.

We offer a temporary position for five months, with the possibility of an extension with another seven months, dependent on work assessment and further developments. Depending on experience, the salary ranges from € 2.579.- to € 3,548.- gross per month for full-time employment (scale 8 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 %). Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For more information, see the website

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

Leiden University

The International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) is
an interdisciplinary research institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, established in Leiden. The IIAS promotes international cooperation in the field of Asian studies, manages international research programmes, has a fellowship programme for researchers from The Netherlands and abroad, organises conferences, seminars and workshops. It also runs a publication programme and every four months publishes the (IIAS) Newsletter.

The ICAS secretariat is hosted by the IIAS.  ICAS is the most inclusive international gathering in the field of Asian Studies. The conference attracts participants from over 75 countries to engage in global dialogues on Asia that transcend boundaries between academic disciplines and geographic areas. The meeting place for the twelfth edition of ICAS is Kyoto, Japan. For more information about ICAS, please visit the website.