Postdoctoral Researcher in violence & violence prevention; fte

Postdoctoral Researcher in violence & violence prevention

The Research group Violence & Violence Prevention at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) is looking for a postdoctoral researcher (1.0 fte, 36‑month position) with research and teaching expertise in interpersonal violence.

The successful candidate will conduct research on how despair, institutional and structural inequalities manifest in (lethal) interpersonal violence, collective violence and self‑directed violence and assist with teaching across several programs within the institute, including the MSc in Crisis and Security Management.

• Conduct independent and collaborative research with the research group on the unifying research line of Deaths of Despair – at the intersection between interpersonal, collective and self‑directed forms of harm.
• This research line includes questions of governance; the attempts of various security actors (i.e. local and national authorities and police) to prevent these forms of violence and to reduce their impact on individuals and society.
• The position seeks to bring together and strengthen the Violence Research Group members’ expertise, and in doing so, actively contribute to ISGA’s involvement in the SSH strategic theme on mental health, examining how these deaths and acts of violence express a broader crisis of meaning, belonging and legitimacy in late modern societies.
• In the spirit of Team Science, the postdoc will produce joint publications with Research Group members, assist in the Group’s teaching activities (among others on the domain of governance) and expand international visibility for interdisciplinary research on violence and violence prevention.
• Collect and quantitatively analyse data on one or several of the topics mentioned above.
• Produce high‑quality co‑authored outputs for both academic and non‑academic audiences, with a focus on international, peer‑reviewed journals.
• Work within a multidisciplinary team across the Violence & Violence Prevention research group and other research groups within the Institute, supporting the development and implementation of the Institute’s research strategy.
• Assist in teaching courses in minor, bachelor, and master programs within the institute, including the MSc in Crisis and Security Management.
• Supervise theses and capstone projects.

Our priority is to hire an excellent candidate who can contribute to the research group Violence & Violence Prevention by enhancing and complementing our research agenda, while also assisting in teaching in programs of the wider institute. This opportunity will help the candidate prepare for the next step in their academic career.

The mission of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA) is to contribute to society through high‑quality interdisciplinary education and new scientific knowledge, addressing contemporary issues such as terrorism, security, artificial intelligence or governance solutions to the housing crisis.

In the heart of The Hague, where important decisions are made, students and professionals come together to gain knowledge and skills. There is much collaboration with academic and societal partners, ensuring that students leave university ready to make a substantial contribution to society.

FGGA is one of the seven faculties of Leiden University. This young, entrepreneurial, innovative organization has three scientific institutes, two centres, over 3,700 students and 425 staff members.

ISGA is a scientific institute specialising in security issues. It is part of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs of Leiden University and analyses and studies security issues with local, national, transnational and global impact, including crises, intelligence, terrorism, war, violence and cybercrime. ISGA is characterised by a multidisciplinary research approach.

ISGA is based in the residential city of The Hague, the international city of peace, justice and security.

In this team, we are looking for someone who can work independently. Every job is different, so in the beginning we will devote attention to your onboarding. If some of the work activities…