PhD Candidate in Political Science

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The Institute of Political Science of Leiden University’s Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences invites applicants for the position of a

PhD Candidate in Political Science (1.0 FTE)
Vacancy number 14634

Key responsibilities
How do authoritarian states use social media to preserve their rule? The use of social media during the 2009 Iranian protests and the 2011 Arab Spring initially portrayed these online platforms as instruments of liberation. However, authoritarian regimes soon perceived their potential and began leveraging social media to tighten their grip on their citizens. The Institute of Political Science at Leiden University is hiring a PhD researcher to join a project on understanding authoritarian regime’s social media tactics and repression strategies. The goal of this project is to use computational methods within political science research to study how social media platforms affect the dynamics of protest and repression in non-democratic regimes, with a focus on government actions. This project will take place under the supervision of Dr. Babak RezaeeDaryakenari (principal investigator), Dr. Matthew Di Giuseppe, and Dr. Corinna Jentzsch.

As part of the position of PhD researcher, the candidate will receive PhD research training. The candidate will be expected to teach two courses per year, usually as tutorial instructor.

Selection criteria

• Applicants must hold (or be near completing) a (research) master’s degree in political science or in a relevant discipline. They have written (or are near completing) a master’s thesis.
• Applicants must have a strong affiliation with the project theme and are motivated to do political science research using computational methods.
• Applicants must have prior training in quantitative research and have a good command of it.
• Prior training in computational social sciences and experience with programming in R and/or Python are advantages.
• Applicants meet the English language requirements of the Graduate School of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences.
• A working understanding of Farsi/Persian is an advantage.

Research at our Faculty/Institute
Leiden University’s Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences comprises five institutes: Political Science, Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Cultural Anthropology & Development Sociology and the Centre for Science and Technology Studies. The Faculty is home to 7,000 students and 1000 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 .

The Institute of Political Science has a strong research tradition in various areas of comparative, Dutch and international politics, as well as political theory. The Institute has around 85 academic staff, including many non-Dutch scholars, and houses a number of editorships of international refereed journals and book series. Members of the institute are also involved in a number of the university’s multi-disciplinary research centres, including Central and East European Studies, International Relations, Parties and Representation, Political Philosophy, Centrum voor Nederlandse Politiek en Bestuur and ReCNTR. The Institute is based in Leiden and in The Hague, where a large part of the teaching is done.

The Institute offers a range of programmes at the Bachelor and Master levels and also trains PhD students in political science. The BSc programmes include general Political Science (in Dutch & English, in Leiden), International Politics (in Dutch & English, in Leiden), and International Relations and Organisations (in English, in The Hague). The one-year MSc programme (taught mostly in English) includes five specialisations in Leiden and one in The Hague.

Terms and conditions
The position starts on September 1, 2024. We offer a full-time PhD position. The appointment would be for 1 year, after which it can be extended by 3 years subject to a positive evaluation. The salary is € 2,770.- to € 3,539.- gross per month (pay scale P, 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 .

Diversity
Diversity and inclusion are core values of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is always inclusive.

Information
Further enquiries can be directed to Dr. Babak RezaeeDaryakenari email: [email protected]

Applications
Please submit online your application no later than 23:59 CET on March 29, 2024 via the blue button of our application system.

Applicants should submit online a letter of interest (max 2 pages), an academic CV, transcripts, a research statement (max 1 page), and a writing sample. Applicants should also include the names and contact details of three academic people who can be contacted directly to submit recommendation letters, commenting on the candidate’s professional qualifications and suitability for the position. Please note that no reference letters have to be submitted at the application stage, but these will be requested for shortlisted candidates.

The selection procedure will take place in April and May 2024. You are kindly requested to be available in this period.

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated.

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