Assistant Professor in African and Comparative Philosophy (0.8-1.0 fte)

The Faculty of Humanities, Leiden Institute for Philosophy, is looking for an

Assistant Professor in African and Comparative Philosophy (0.8-1.0 fte)

The Leiden Institute for Philosophy invites applicants for a position as Assistant Professor (0.8-1.0 fte) in African and Comparative Philosophy. Do you want to help shape the future of global and intercultural philosophy? Join us in Leiden to strengthen our team of researchers and teachers and add your expertise on African philosophy.

What you will do
We are looking for a candidate with demonstrable and strong research expertise on African Philosophy and comparative philosophy. We are particularly interested in candidates whose area of competence also includes postcolonial and/or decolonial theory. The successful candidate will contribute to the institute's research, education, and societal impact in the fields of African philosophy and intercultural philosophy. The candidate will be expected to teach across several programmes, notably the Bachelor's programme Philosophy: Global and Comparative Perspectives, and the Master’s programme Global and Comparative Philosophy. The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop interdisciplinary projects and to strengthen the Institute's grant-acquisition capacities.  

Your Key Tasks Are:

• Teaching African philosophy, comparative philosophy, and other areas of philosophy in English in our BA and MA programmes in Philosophy and in other Leiden University degree programmes as required, including supervision of BA and MA theses;
• Supervision of PhD research;
• Pursuit of external research funding;
• Participate in the institute management and administrative tasks;
• Contribute to the overall aims and goals of the institute and faculty; 
• Participate in national and international academic research networks;
• Collaborate with societal stakeholders in knowledge exchange and impact activities.

Where you will work
The Faculty of Humanities at Leiden University is a unique international centre for the advanced study of languages, cultures, arts, and societies worldwide, in their historical contexts from prehistory to the present. Our faculty is home to more than 6,000 students and 800 staff members. For more information see: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities .

The Leiden Institute for Philosophy (IPH) is one of the seven institutes of the Faculty of Humanities. The institute conducts research and offers teaching in the standard areas of philosophy in analytic and Continental traditions and in intercultural philosophy as well as their history. With around 40 employees and 600 students, the institute offers an innovative, collegial, and international working environment. The Institute for Philosophy has cultivated a broad and inclusive research profile that is unique in the Netherlands. It developed a structure that promotes interactions across systematic and historical approaches, attempted to bridge analytical and continental traditions, and integrated global and comparative perspectives. IPH's research is organized into five flexible research groups, allowing for interdisciplinary participation and collaboration. 

What you bring
In this team we are looking for someone with complementary expertise for our research group in Global and Comparative Philosophy, who can work independently. This position may be a good fit for you if you recognise yourself in the following:

• Initiate and conduct your own independent line of research in the field of African philosophy, comparative philosophy, and other areas of philosophy, and dissemination of findings through appropriate channels;
• PhD degree in Philosophy or related discipline;
• A clear research agenda and demonstrable affinity with African philosophy and comparative philosophy;
• A publication record in African philosophy and comparative philosophy in international peer-reviewed journals commensurate with career stage;
• Ability to carry out independent research and teaching yet also a a demonstrable commitment to a collaborative research environment, also across academic disciplines;
• Teaching experience in African philosophy and comparative philosophy commensurate with career stage, and commitment to high-quality teaching practice;
• Teaching competence in philosophy of race and gender, decolonial and/or postcolonial studies, and broader areas of philosophy is an added advantage;
• An academic, creative, and open mindset; 
• Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ). Successful applicants who do not already possess the UTQ or its equivalent, are required to obtain this qualification within two years. More information: https://www.staff.universiteitleiden.nl/human-resources/learning-and-development/teacher-development/university-teaching-qualification;
• Excellent command of English, including the ability to teach in that language. Fluency in Dutch is an asset. Non-Dutch-speaking candidates are required to learn Dutch to level B1 within two years. The institute facilitates Dutch language training with reimbursement of costs and teaching relief for an approved training programme;
• Leiden is your place of employment. You live and are officially registered as resident in The Netherlands or are willing to relocate upon starting the position.

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 just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre. 

We Also Offer

• A fixed-term employment contract as Assistant Professor (Universitair docent) for the period of 18 months, or 12 months for internal candidates. Conditional on satisfactory performance, the temporary appointment will be converted to permanent employment in the same position thereafter. This contract falls under the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. 
• A salary in accordance with the collective salary agreement of the Association of Dutch Universities (CAO) and depending on qualifications and experience, of a minimum of € 4.728 (salary scale 11) and a maximum of € 7.297 (salary scale 12) gross per month, based on full-time appointment (38 hours). 
• 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.
• If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands, but we encourage colleagues to be in the office frequently.
• A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop.

Leiden University also offers 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. For more information, see Application process and working conditions - Working at Leiden University.

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 can develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research are inclusive. 

• Want to apply or find out more?
• If you want to apply, click the application button. Please ensure that you include the following documents in one single PDF document named “FAMILY name – Given name – Vacancy number” in this order:
• A letter of motivation;
• A Curriculum Vitae including education and employment history, language skills, courses taught, publications, invited talks, presentations;
• A research plan, which identifies which research project you could put together for grant applications (max. 2 pages);
• A statement of your teaching philosophy (max. 2 pages);
• The names and contact details of at least two academic referees (no actual reference letters at this stage). Please list these names on your CV.

If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Prof. Dr. Susanna Lindberg, Academic Director of the Institute for Philosophy, at s.e.lindberg@hum.leidenuniv.nl.

You can apply until 1 December 2025. We aim for a start date of 1 August 2026.

• 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 CV's, no rights can be derived from this.