Lecturer Visual and Multimodal Anthropology

Do you have a background in Visual Anthropology, Multimodal Anthropology, and Anthropology of Media? Are you an innovative and inspiring teacher? The institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology is looking for a new lecturer as soon as possible to join our team at the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Leiden University.  

What you will do
Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (CADS) at Leiden University studies the everyday practices of individuals, groups, and communities worldwide, to situate them within complex global challenges. The CADS research program focuses on three areas of research: Sustainability, Diversity, and Digitalization. CADS aims to strengthen its team in the field of Multimodal Anthropology and Visual and Sonic Ethnography and is currently looking for a lecturer in this area.

• The candidate will teach courses at Bachelor and Master’s level, most likely courses on the following: Expanded Ethnography, Mediated Anthropology and Visual Ethnography
• The candidate will supervise B.Sc. and/or M.Sc. theses 

Where you will work 
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Political Science, and Psychology. The faculty has approximately 7000 students and 1000 staff members. Within the institutes, not only education is provided but also groundbreaking research is conducted that pushes the boundaries of our understanding of human behaviour and societal structures. What makes our faculty unique is the diversity of research topics, the various styles of teaching, and the way professional support is organized; this provides you with the opportunity to explore and develop your interests and expertise. Visit our website for an impression: Welcome to the Leiden Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences - Leiden University.

Leiden University's Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology concentrates on 'global vulnerability and social resilience'. The institute has three main themes: Diversity, Sustainability, and Digitalization. CADS is dedicated to making a real-world impact, not just studying change, but also working with communities to promote positive change through education and research. We use a unique approach that blends qualitative, quantitative, audiovisual, and digital methods based on ethnographic fieldwork.

With our unique blend of interdisciplinary interests, comparative regional studies, and social science research methods, we emphasize our role in the extensive collaborative network within Leiden University. In both our research and education, we engage in extensive interdisciplinary and international networks.

What you bring
We are looking for an engaged, committed lecturer who brings particular expertise in the field of Multimodal Anthropology and Visual Ethnography. 

• Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Anthropology, have a thorough knowledge of Visual Anthropology (or Multimodal Anthropology) and Anthropology of Media.
• Applicants should have a promising publication record, notably international peer-reviewed publications and/or (forthcoming) monographs and films. 
• Applicants should have experience in film-making and in teaching hands-on visual and sonic ethnographic methods.
• Applicants are innovative and inspiring teachers who have a strong commitment to teaching in graduate and undergraduate courses.
• Applicants are willing and able to meet the requirements for a Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO) within two years if they do not already possess a Dutch University Teaching Qualification.

If you recognise yourself in this profile, or if do you not quite meet all the requirements, but you believe that this is the right job for you, we look forward to your application!

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 expect 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:

• A temporary employment contract for the duration of one year starting per 1 December 2025 or 1 January 2026. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A salary of a minimum of € 3.546 and a maximum of € 6.433 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) scale 10 or 11. 
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
• Lots of 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 your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
• 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 (if applicable for the position).

For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/werken-bij/sollicitatieprocedure-en-arbeidsvoorwaarden 

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?
To apply, click the application button.

If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact Sarah Smith, Institute Manager, at s.e.c.smith@fsw.leidenuniv.nl. You can apply until 23:59 on Wednesday 15 October 2025; applications will be processed immediately. The first round of interviews will take place in the week of 20 October 2025 (likely that Monday, 20 October).

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/werken-bij/sollicitatieprocedure-en-arbeidsvoorwaarden 

• We believe mobility is very important. That is why we are also publishing this vacancy internally. In case of equal suitability, we will give priority to the internal candidate.
• 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. #LI-Hybrid