Leiden University, University Lectureship in International Relations of Modern Iran (1.0 fte)
Vacancy number: 16-249
Key responsibilities
Original research and regular dissemination of the results through appropriate channels;
Teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels, principally in the BA program in International Studies and the MA program in International Relations, and other programs and courses as appropriate, such as the BA and MA in Middle Eastern Studies, supervision of BA and MA theses and BA and MA thesis classes;
Acquisition of project funding (for instance NWO or ERC);
Administrative duties;
Representation of the field to external audiences and media;
It is a fixed-term, four-year replacement position for a four-year period from September 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter but not later than February 2017.
Selection Criteria
A PhD degree in Politics & International Relations or Middle Eastern Studies. Candidates near completion of the degree will be considered;
A research and publication record that is commensurate with career stage;
Commitment to high-quality teaching practice, and wide teaching scope in terms of content;
Specialist knowledge of modern Iran;
Proficiency in Farsi;
An excellent command of English. The BA in International Studies, the MA in International Relations and the MA in middle Eastern Studies are offered in English, and English may be used in the BA in Middle Eastern Studies as well;
If the successful applicant does not already speak Dutch, readiness to learn Dutch within two years by means of a University-funded language training;
Upon appointment, depending on experience and formal qualifications to date, the successful applicant may be required to enter a nationally standardized tertiary teaching skills certification trajectory (BKO or Basis Kwalificatie Onderwijs in Dutch).
The Faculty of Humanities and the LIAS
Since its founding in 1575, Leiden University has built an internationally recognized record of excellence in teaching and research. The Faculty of Humanities is an international centre for the study of languages, cultures, arts, and societies worldwide, in their historical contexts from prehistory to the present. We take culture broadly to include religions, philosophies, and worldviews as well as literature art, and technology. In research and teaching, we focus on Dynamics of Diversity, meaning the mobility of people, language, culture, ideas, art, and institutions in a globalizing world, and their interconnectivity through the ages. The Faculty is home to well over 5,000 students and 900 staff. It offers some 30 BA programs and 45 MA programs. The Graduate School annually awards about 70 PhD degrees.
The lecturer will hold a position in the Leiden University Institute for Area Studies (LIAS, see http://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities/institute-for-area-studies). LIAS comprises the School of Asian Studies and the School of Middle Eastern Studies, both with international staff and student populations. The institute is committed to a present-day vision of area studies, integrating disciplinary and regional-historical perspectives on a solid foundation of excellent language skills. The Lecturer will be a member of the School of Middle Eastern Studies. For the BA and MA programmes supported by LIAS, see here: http://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities/institute-for-area-studies/education. The local research environment includes the Leiden University Centre for the Study of Islam in Society (LUCIS, see http://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities/centre-for-the-study-of-islam-and-society).
Terms of employment
Appointment will be fixed-term for the period from January 2017 through December 2021. Salary range from € 3,400.- to € 4,654.- gross per month (pay scale 11), commensurate with work experience and qualifications, with substantial additional holiday and end-of-year bonuses. Depending on qualifications, the lecturer may start at the appropriate step in scale 10 until she/he fully meets the requirements for scale 11 as specified by the Faculty of Humanities, particularly with regard to teaching skills certification and the number of years of relevant work experience. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.
Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.
Information
Queries may be sent to Ali Seyed Gohrab (a.a.seyed-gohrab@hum.leidenuniv.nl), with cc to Frank Pieke (f.n.pieke@hum.leidenuniv.nl).
Applications
The application period runs no later than 1 September, 2016. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for mid-September 2016. Applications should be in English, and be submitted to the Modern Iran IR Search Committee at vacatureslias@hum.leidenuniv.nl, with the items listed below included in this order in a single PDF document named ‘FAMILY NAME – Given name – 16-149’:
A cv including education and employment history, publications, courses taught, and languages and proficiency levels;
A letter of motivation;
A research agenda with clear potential for applications to funding bodies such as NWO and ERC (max 2 pages);
A teaching statement (max 1 page);
Two course descriptions (intro + outline of 12 two-hour weekly sessions) with clear relevance to the position profile;
Names, positions, and email addresses of three referees (no reference letters at this stage).