**Job Description**
The Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) at Leiden University seeks a full-time Post-Doctoral researcher for the “Manifesting Mandates: Navigating Ambiguity in UN Special Political Missions” project. The role involves conducting research on UN Special Political Missions, including a field trip, leading to at least one international peer-reviewed publication. The researcher will also contribute to the project’s conceptual and theoretical development, co-author articles with the Principal Investigator, and assist with teaching (20% of the contract) within the institute. The project examines the opportunities and challenges of Special Political Missions in managing conflict and how staff navigate mandate ambiguity in complex environments, contributing to scholarship on global governance and multilateralism.
**Skills & Abilities**
• Ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated experience of conducting field research and interviews.
• Demonstrated experience of using qualitative research methods and willingness to develop expertise in further methodological work.
• Awareness of and/or expertise in the United Nations’ peace operations.
• Ability and availability to travel for field trips.
• Demonstrated experience of working both independently and as part of a team in an organized and results-oriented fashion.
• Excellent command of English (CEFR Level C1 or above).
• Additional language skills, preferably one or more official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, or Spanish).
• Expertise in, or familiarity with sociology, anthropology or psychology.
• Demonstrated ability to publish in international peer-reviewed journals.
**Qualifications**
Required Degree(s) in:
• Political Science
• International Relations
• International Organizations
• Security Studies
• Peace and Conflict Studies
**Experience**
Other:
• PhD degree completed by the time of appointment.
• PhD topic related to peace and conflict and/or conflict resolution.
• Country expertise on a relevant country in Latin America, the MENA region, or Central Asia.
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