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PhD Researcher in “A Sociology of Post-Imperial Islamic Legal Culture: Insights from Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia” (Minaret Project), 1.0 FTE.

The Van Vollenhoven Institute for Law, Governance and Society (VVI) invites applications for one PhD Researcher (1.0 FTE, 4 years) from September/October 2027 – September/October 2031 to join the Minaret Project, a HORIZON Unit Grant-funded interdisciplinary and transnational research initiative, which examines the interconnection between law, religion and governance in post-imperial Muslim-majority societies to promote democracy and good governance.

The project brings together 11 universities with 15 PhD researchers across 3 work packages and 15 subprojects, with the applicant contributing to the subproject Neo-Imperialism and Constitutional Reform: The Global Dimension. This subproject examines to what extent international organizations and global governance actors act as neo-imperial forces shaping constitutional reform in North Africa and the Middle East.

It will explore how donor-driven “rule of law” and “good governance” programs are developed, interpreted, and implemented in countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Particular attention will be paid to how the legal frameworks promoted by international actors relate to the government practices in these countries, and in particular to those embedded in local traditions and religious values.

Drawing on policy-document analysis and elite interviews with a diverse range of actors -including international advisers, domestic policymakers, civil-society representatives, legal practitioners, religious scholars, and community leaders-, the study will investigate how transnational constitutional models are negotiated, adapted, resisted, or hybridized in practice. It will contribute to debates on postcolonial constitutionalism by examining the processes through which legal and governance norms circulate across borders, as well as the forms of influence, dependency, and agency that shape their adoption.

Ultimately, the project seeks to develop a nuanced account of how external interventions affect perceptions of legitimacy, legal pluralism, and sovereignty in transitional Muslim-majority societies.

What you will do

The PhD researcher will join the Leiden-based Minaret team, working closely with two senior-researchers and two external mentors (one academic and one non-academic, associated with the project). The position provides the opportunity to conduct original empirical research on the underlying structures of constitutional reform in said countries, while also contributing to public engagement and the collaborative life of the project. All PhD researchers are required to undertake two secondments abroad with the project’s associated partners, one academic and one non-academic, of between two and six months' duration. This will not only enhance research capabilities but also equip the PhD researcher for academic and non-academic roles.

Academic Research

• Conduct socio-legal and policy analysis with key stakeholders in selected countries.
• Write a doctoral dissertation and co-author academic publications based on qualitative research.
• Contribute to the project’s comparative framework within the subproject; within the work package (Imperial Genealogies and Constitutional Formation) and between the work packages.

Communications & Engagement

• Present research findings at events organized by the research project, such as 3 summer schools and 4 training events.
• Willingness and ability to spend extended periods abroad for fieldwork and 2 secondments.
• Help organize international workshops, conferences, and events with academic and civil society partners.
• Contribute to project website and social media accounts.

Where you will work

What you bring

In our team, we are looking for someone who can work independently while also contributing to a collaborative environment. Since every position is unique, we will devote careful attention to your onboarding. If some aspects of the work are new to you, we will identify what support you need and develop a tailored plan for your professional growth.

We do not expect candidates to already have all the qualifications listed below. Training will be provided in areas such as socio-legal studies, research methods, and the specificities of constitutional reform in the Middle East. That said, this position will be a good fit for you if you recognize yourself in many of the following:

• A MSc or LLM in Anthropology, Political Science, Law, International Studies, International Relations, Development Studies, or a closely related field;
• Demonstrated experience in conducting empirical research, ideally in the project’s country contexts (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria);
• Experience working with (inter)national civil society actors;
• Knowledge of constitutional reform, especially in relation to religion, democracy, and governance;
• Familiarity with socio-legal literature and qualitative research methods;
• Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary and international research team;
• Familiarity with one of the project’s country contexts (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria) is an asset;
• Knowledge of written and spoken Arabic is strongly recommended.

What we offer

We also offer:

• An employment contract for the duration of four years. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A salary between €3204 - €4051 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (PhD student);
• 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;
• Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
• 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.

What we value

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?

• In choosing between candidates, in case of equal suitability, preference will be given to internal candidates, women, the occupationally disabled and employees with a migration background.
• 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