University Lecturer in Art and Material Culture of South and Southeast Asia

University Lecturer in Art and Material Culture of South and Southeast Asia

Job Description University Lecturer in Art and Material Culture of South and Southeast Asia Vacancy number: 16701 Job type:
Academic staff Contract hours min: 38 Contract hours max: 40

Location:

Leiden Applying is possible up to and including: 31 October 2026

Leiden University invites applications for a University Lecturer in Art and Material Culture of South and Southeast Asia to begin August 2027. This position is situated in the Leiden University Institute for Area Studies (LIAS), which is committed to the integration of disciplinary and regional/historical perspectives, based on a solid foundation of linguistic and cultural knowledge. We understand South and Southeast Asia to comprise the Himalayan-Tibetan highlands, the South Asian subcontinent and associated islands, and the mainland and archipelagic zones of Southeast Asia.

• Original research, involving primary sources and/or fieldwork as appropriate.
• Teaching, curriculum development and thesis supervision at undergraduate and graduate levels in programmes including the BA South and Southeast Asian Studies, the BA International Studies, and the MA Asian Studies.
• Supervision of PhD research.
• A commitment to acquisition of research funding from national and international funding bodies.
• Representation of the field to external audiences and media.
• Administrative duties, commensurate with career stage.

Since its founding in 1575, Leiden University has built an international reputation for excellence in education and research. With over 800 staff members, the Faculty of Humanities offers 26 bachelor's and 27 master's programs to more than 7,200 students at locations in the historic city center of Leiden and in The Hague. The Leiden Institute for Area Studies (LIAS) comprises the School of Asian Studies, the School of Middle Eastern Studies, and the School of Religious Studies.

The institute is committed to a contemporary approach to Area Studies, integrating disciplinary and regional-historical perspectives with a strong foundation in advanced language proficiency. LIAS faculty members bring expertise in a wide range of fields, including Anthropology, Archaeology, Art History, Buddhist Studies, Film Studies, History, International Relations, Language Pedagogy, Law, Linguistics, Literary Studies, Material Culture Studies, Performing Arts, Philology, Philosophy, Political Economy, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Visual Culture Studies.

We are looking for a colleague who is engaged in the study of the shared classical cultures of the region in their material form. This includes the interconnectedness of literary and visual cultures, especially those associated with Buddhism and Hinduism, in relation to iconography, architecture, archaeology and cultural heritage. The candidate should have a firm grounding in the study of pre‑modern traditions in a longue durée perspective.

The ideal candidate meets the following criteria:

• A PhD degree in a field related to art and material culture of South and Southeast Asia with in situ research experience. Candidates near completion of the degree will be considered.
• A compelling research agenda that promises original and significant work in the field.
• A record of research funding acquisition, commensurate with career stage.
• A publication record that is commensurate with career stage.
• The ability to work together with colleagues across the full breadth of Humanities and Social Sciences.
• Command of at least one classical language relevant to the field.
• An affinity with area studies, and the ability to work from interdisciplinary, transnational, and comparative perspectives.
• A commitment to…