3 PhD candidates Interpersonal Conflicts and Violence (48 months, 1 fte)
Why and how do interpersonal conflicts turn physically violent? What are the turning points towards the beginning and ending of violence in encounters between civilians and between police and civilians? If you want to work on these questions, have a master’s degree in communication science, social science, or psychology, and would like to conduct qualitative video analysis, this may be the job for you.
What you will do
The main aim of this ERC TURNING VIOLENT research is to identify turning points towards one-sided violence in interpersonal conflicts. Projects will focus on conflicts between civilians or between police and civilians in Berlin, Paris, or London. We will be using publicly available video data, complemented with video elicitation interviews. Please go to this page to read the full research proposal.
We are seeking candidates who are interested in learning or who are already experienced in video based ethnomethodological conversation analysis and multimodal analysis and who are comfortable working with qualitative research methods and video annotation tools (e.g. ELAN, NVivo, or similar).
As a PhD candidate, you will:
- Systematically retrieve publicly available video data and additional sources to compile a high-quality dataset;
- Perform ethnomethodological conversation analysis and multimodal analysis of these video data;
- Conduct video-elicitations interviews with police trainers and/or other violence experts;
- Conduct in-person interviews in Berlin, Paris or London
- Present results at academic conferences and workshops;
- Publish in academic journals;
- Participate in and co-organize data sessions, joint research projects, workshops as well as communication and dissemination activities of the team;
- Take relevant courses and training and participate in team workshops;
- Actively contribute to the Violence & Violence Prevention Group and participate in the intellectual life of the Institute of Security and Global Affairs.
What you bring
Every job is different, so in the beginning we will devote attention to your onboarding. If some of the work activities are new to you, we will consider together what your needs are, and draw up a development plan.
This position is a good fit for you if you recognise yourself in having the following:
- (Research) Master’s degree in Criminology, Sociology, Communication Studies/Science, Psychology, Crisis and Security Management or a related social science field;
- Good study results and academic skills, demonstrated in the Bachelor’s and Master’s course transcripts;
- Solid knowledge of and experience with using qualitative research methods; experience with ethnomethodological conversation analysis and multimodal analysis of video material is a plus;
- Substantive interest in and knowledge of violence and policing research, especially interactionist studies of violence and policing;
- Willingness and ability to contribute to teaching in the Minor Violence Studies and in other courses in Bachelor Security Studies and in the Master Crisis & Security Management;
- Ability to work independently, and to contribute to the Violence & Violence Prevention Group, demonstrated in prior research, work, or internship experience
- Excellent command of English and, for the projects focusing on Berlin and Paris, excellent command of German or French. This is an essential criteria for being considered for the position.
- Proficiency in Dutch is considered an asset.
If you immediately recognise yourself in this profile, or if do you not quite meet all the requirements but believe that this is the right job for you, we look forward to your application!
Your application should include:
- A CV;
- In your CV, please include your language skills in English, French and/or German
- A motivation letter;
- Please indicate your preference and suitability to study either civilian-civilian or police-civilian conflicts and a motivation for this preference in your letter;
- Please also indicate your preference and suitability to focus on either Berlin, Paris or London in the letter and a motivation for this preference in your letter;
- A writing sample, for instance a chapter of your MA thesis.
Where you will work
You will become a member of the Research Group Violence & Violence Prevention at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs, which is part of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA) at Leiden University.
The mission of the FGGA is to contribute to society. The faculty does this through high-quality interdisciplinary education and (new) scientific knowledge. Whether it is terrorism, security, artificial intelligence or a governance solution to the housing crisis, contemporary issues are comprehensively addressed at FGGA.
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, which ensures that students leave university with a smile and one foot in the future, ready to make a substantial contribution to society.
FGGA is one of the seven faculties of Leiden University. This entrepreneurial and innovative organisation has three scientific institutes, two centres, over 3,700 students and 425 staff members. For more information about the faculty, click here.
The Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) is a scientific institute specialising in security issues. ISGA is part of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs of Leiden University.
ISGA analyses and studies security issues with local, national, transnational, and global impact. These include crises, intelligence, terrorism, war, violence, and cybercrime. The institute 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. Inspiring interactions are maintained with other knowledge institutions, regional, national, and international governments, the private sector, and NGOs.
The Research Group Violence & Violence Prevention adopts a multi-dimensional, interdisciplinary perspective, in which we use and adapt concepts from sociology, anthropology, public health and public policy, criminology, victimology, forensic psychology and pedagogy – moving past mono-disciplinary approaches to research into violence and public order. In our data-driven research, we seek to help design evidence-based, tailored interventions and to aid efforts to reduce the violence burden on society. As a Group, we teach a range of courses in the minor Violence Studies and in the Crisis and Security Master Track Governance of Violence.
What we offer
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 in 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 initially for a period of 1 year, with the possibility of extension for 3 years after a positive evaluation. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities
- Opportunities to contribute to teaching in the Minor Violence Studies and in other courses in Bachelor Security Studies and in the Master Crisis & Security Management;
- A starting salary of € 2.901 and increasing each year to a maximum of € 3.707,- gross per month in the fourth year, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (scale P);
- 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;
- Many options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription or bicycle scheme, and we also offer child-care options;
- If the research allows or requires it, hybrid working is possible, but The Hague will be your academic homebase and you will be expected to move to the Netherlands;
- A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces; you will be expected to work in the office in The Hague regularly during the week unless the research requires otherwise;
- The University will provide you with a laptop and other equipment for conducting video analysis
- All our PhD students are embedded in the Graduate School of Governance and Global Affairs. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels:
- professional courses, skills training, and personal effectiveness.
For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions
What we find important
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.
Want to apply or find out more?
If you want to apply straight away, click the application button.
If you would like to hear more about the specific content of the job, please contact Don Weenink, full professor in Violence & Policing at phone number 0031 6 18 22 09 36. You can apply until 18 July 2025. Interviews will be held between 20-22 August and possibly the week of 25-29 August. The intended start date is 1 October 2025, depending on your availability.
