PhD Researcher at Van Vollenhoven Institute for Law, Governance and Society bij Universiteit Leiden

PhD Researcher in 'A Sociology of Post-Imperial Islamic Legal Culture: Insights from Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia' (Minaret Project), 1.0 FTE.

The Van Vollenhoven Institute for Law, Governance and Society (VVI) invites applications for one PhD Researcher (1.0 FTE, 4 years) from September/October 2027 – September/October 2031 to join the Minaret Project, a HORIZON Unit Grant-funded interdisciplinary and transnational research initiative, which examines the interconnection between law, religion, and governance in post-imperial Muslim-majority societies to promote democracy and good governance.

The project brings together 11 universities with 15 PhD researchers across 3 work packages and 15 subprojects, with the applicant contributing to the subproject Neo-Imperialism and Constitutional Reform: The Global Dimension. This subproject examines to what extent international organizations and global governance actors act as neo-imperial forces shaping constitutional reform in North Africa and the Middle East.

It will explore how donor-driven 'rule of law' and 'good governance' programs are developed, interpreted, and implemented in countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Particular attention will be paid to how the legal frameworks promoted by international actors relate to the government practices in these countries, especially those embedded in local traditions and religious values.

Drawing on policy-document analysis and elite interviews with a diverse range of actors—including international advisers, domestic policymakers, civil-society representatives, legal practitioners, religious scholars, and community leaders—the study will investigate how transnational constitutional models are negotiated, adapted, resisted, or hybridized in practice. It will contribute to debates on postcolonial constitutionalism by examining the processes through which legal and governance norms circulate across borders, as well as the forms of influence, dependency, and agency that shape their adoption.

Ultimately, the project seeks to develop a nuanced account of how external interventions affect perceptions of legitimacy, legal pluralism, and sovereignty in transitional Muslim-majority societies.

Wat je gaat doen

The PhD researcher will join the Leiden-based Minaret team, working closely with two senior researchers and two external mentors (one academic and one non-academic, associated with the project). The position provides the opportunity to conduct original empirical research on the underlying structures of constitutional reform in said countries, while also contributing to public engagement and the collaborative life of the project. All PhD researchers are required to undertake two secondments abroad with the project’s associated partners, one academic and one non-academic, of between two and six months' duration. This will not only enhance research capabilities but also equip the PhD researcher for academic and non-academic roles.

Academisch Onderzoek

Conduct socio-legal and policy analysis with key stakeholders in selected countries.
Write a doctoral dissertation and co-author academic publications based on qualitative research.
Contribute to the project’s comparative framework within the subproject; within the work package (Imperial Genealogies and Constitutional Formation) and between the work packages.

Communicatie & Betrokkenheid

Present research findings at events organized by the research project, such as 3 summer schools and 4 training events.
Willingness and ability to spend extended periods abroad for fieldwork and 2 secondments.
Help organize international workshops, conferences, and events with academic and civil society partners.
Contribute to project website and social media accounts.

Waar je gaat werken

The Faculty of Law is based in both Leiden and The Hague and, with over 7,000 students and approximately 600 staff members, is one of the largest law faculties in the Netherlands. The faculty is committed to innovative, multidisciplinary research and a constantly evolving curriculum that addresses key societal challenges. Our faculty is large enough to make an impact on both a national and international scale, yet small enough to offer a personal and engaging learning experience. In this way, we contribute every day to a safer and more sustainable world. Impact with law! For more information, please visit https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/law.

The Van Vollenhoven Institute for Law, Governance and Society (VVI) is part of the Leiden Law School. The VVI seeks to advance knowledge of the formation and functioning of legal systems in their social contexts, the impact of these systems on society and vice versa, their effectiveness in governance, and their contribution to development. The Institute adopts a socio-legal and global approach, doing research on law in the books and law in action in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. VVI staff teaches several socio-legal thematic and regional courses for both Dutch and foreign exchange students. In addition, VVI provides PhD supervision, advisory services, and training courses to policymakers and practitioners. For more information, see www.vvi.leidenuniv.nl.

Wat je meebrengt

In our team, we are looking for someone who can work independently while also contributing to a collaborative environment. Since every position is unique, we will devote careful attention to your onboarding. If some aspects of the work are new to you, we will identify what support you need and develop a tailored plan for your professional growth.

We do not expect candidates to already have all the qualifications listed below. Training will be provided in areas such as socio-legal studies, research methods, and the specificities of constitutional reform in the Middle East. That said, this position will be a good fit for you if you recognize yourself in many of the following:

A MSc or LLM in Anthropology, Political Science, Law, International Studies, International Relations, Development Studies, or a closely related field;
Demonstrated experience in conducting empirical research, ideally in the project’s country contexts (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria);
Experience working with (inter)national civil society actors;
Knowledge of constitutional reform, especially in relation to religion, democracy, and governance;
Familiarity with socio-legal literature and qualitative research methods;
Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary and international research team;
Familiarity with one of the project’s country contexts (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria) is an asset;
Knowledge of written and spoken Arabic is strongly recommended.

Wat wij bieden

Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving, and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.

You can count on an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.

We also offer:

An employment contract for the duration of four years. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
A salary between €3204 - €4051 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (PhD student);
A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8.3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel;
Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop and a mobile telephone.

For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions

Wat wij waarderen

Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.

Wil je solliciteren of meer weten?

If you want to apply straight away, click the application button.

If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Dr. Nadia Sonneveld at n.sonneveld@law.leidenuniv.nl. You can apply until 31 January 2027;

To apply for this vacancy, please submit your application in English addressed to Dr. Nadia Sonneveld using the blue button at the top of this text. Interviews are scheduled in February-March 2027. Please include with your application the following:

A cover letter stating your motivation for this position;
A curriculum vitae;
Transcripts from your bachelor’s and master’s degrees;
A major writing sample (i.e. Master’s thesis, article, or other class paper);
Names of 2-3 academic references.

To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions

In choosing between candidates, in case of equal suitability, preference will be given to internal candidates, women, the occupationally disabled, and employees with a migration background. A pre-employment screening (references, diplomas, certificate of good conduct (VOG)) may be part of the selection procedure. Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this.