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Post-Doc: Manifesting Mandates: Navigating Ambiguity in UN Special Political Missions

September 15, 2025

**Job Description**
The Post-Doctoral researcher will join the Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) at Leiden University for an eighteen-month, full-time position. This role is part of the “Manifesting Mandates: Navigating Ambiguity in UN Special Political Missions” project. The research focuses on the challenges UN peace operations face in interpreting mandates amidst evolving conflict management norms and increased ambiguity. The project investigates Special Political Missions (SPMs) as an instrument for managing global conflicts and examines how SPM staff interpret and action UN mandates at mission level, contributing to scholarship on global governance and the crisis of multilateralism. The role also includes a 20% teaching commitment.

**Skills & Abilities**
• Demonstrated experience of conducting field research and interviews.
• Demonstrated experience of using qualitative research methods and a willingness to develop expertise in further methodological work.
• Awareness of and/or expertise in the United Nations’ peace operations.
• Country expertise on a relevant country in either Latin America, the MENA region, or Central Asia.
• 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 of the official UN languages (specifically 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
PhD degree completed by the time of the appointment, with a topic related to peace and conflict and/or conflict resolution.

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Work Level
Postdoc
Employment Type
Research Job
Salary
Annual Salary: €56,736 - €77,196 (gross) Position Classification: Scale 11 Benefits: Holiday allowance (8%), end-of-year bonus (8.3%), attractive pension scheme (ABP), full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs, flexible working hours (minimum 29 leave days, option to accrue extra leave).
Valid Until
October 16, 2025
Details
Full-time / Temporary Duration: 18 months Location Requirement: Relocation required to The Netherlands
School / Department / Center / Lab
• Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) • Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA)
Supervisor Email
See Details
Leiden University (Universiteit Leiden)
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