PhD in organisational cybersecurity: End-users and teams (1.0 fte)

PhD in organisational cybersecurity: End-users and teams (1.0 fte)

For our NWO-funded project “From ‘what went wrong’ to ‘what works well?’ Using Safety 2 principles to develop new cybersecurity solutions”, we are looking for a PhD candidate interested in building positive cybersecurity solutions for individuals and teams within organisations. In this five-year project, we aim to develop cybersecurity solutions that organisations can implement in their ways of working based on what we learn from organisations where cybersecurity is managed successfully. The main research question the team will answer is: “What do successful organisations do differently on the individual, team, and organisational level to prevent the occurrence of cyber incidents or reduce their impact?” This position focuses on the individual and team aspects of the main research question.

The successful applicant will work with researchers from the cybersecurity governance and the governance of crisis research group to help answering this question. Knowledge of (organisational) cybersecurity at the start of the project is not a requirement. However, we do expect the successful applicants to quickly familiarise themselves with the field through self-study or by taking in-house courses The successful applicant will conduct empirical research on what successful organisations do differently on the individual and team level within their organisation. Do individuals and teams in these organisations work in a different manner, or are they perhaps selected their roles in a certain way? Or are there other factors that play vital roles? 

What you will do

• Familiarise yourself with the field of organisational cybersecurity on the individual and team level where needed.
• Dive into the literature to develop relevant research questions and set up methodologically sound studies to investigate the main research question.
• Work with our partners in industry to organise data collection.
• Collect and analyse data.
• Write up research for publication in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Disseminate research findings at both internal and external events for the scientific community and stakeholders.
• Be an active member of the Cybersecurity Governance research group.
• Support teaching in our bachelor and/or master programmes

Where you will work 

ISGA is a scientific institute specializing in security, safety, and global challenges. These include challenges in the fields of cybersecurity, crises, intelligence, terrorism, war, violence, and diplomacy. ISGA is characterized by high-quality, interdisciplinary education and the development of scientific knowledge with a high potential for societal impact. ISGA is part of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA) and is based in the city of The Hague, the international city of peace and justice. FGGA is one of the seven faculties of Leiden University. This young, entrepreneurial, innovative organization has three scientific institutes, two centers, over 3,700 students, and 425 staff members. For more information about the faculty, click here. 

The interdisciplinary Cybersecurity Governance research group works on the non-technical side of cybersecurity at all levels of society. This includes the cybersecurity of end-users in organisations, regulation on the national and international level, but also international relations and diplomacy. The group consists of scientists with a range of different background including psychology, criminology, public administration, philosophy, political science, sociology and law. These different backgrounds are used to create collaborations to understand how we can improve cybersecurity on both the national and international level.

What you bring 

In this team, we are looking for someone who can work independently. Every job is different, so in the beginning we will devote attention to your onboarding. If some of the work activities are new to you, we will look together at what you need, and draw up a development plan. This position is a good fit for you if you recognise yourself in the following:

• A Master’s degree in organisational science, psychology, communication science, behavioural sciences, political science, sociology, or a related field.
• An interest in cybersecurity and the willingness to learn about this field if it is new to you.
• Demonstrated experience in quantitative research. 
• A collaborative mindset, the ability to work in a team.
• Strong communication skills for interaction with stakeholders and communicating scientific findings.
• A proficiency in Dutch is considered an asset.

If you immediately 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 count on an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located in 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:

• An employment contract for 38 hours a week (1.0 fte) as a PhD candidate, initially for a period of 1 year, with the possibility of extension for 3 years after a positive evaluation. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
• A salary of a minimum of € 3.059,- and a maximum of € 3.881,-gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (scale [P0-P3]); 
• 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;
• 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. 
• All our PhD students are embedded in the Graduate School of Governance and Global Affairs. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness.

For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions 

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? 
If you want to apply straight away, click the application button.

You are asked to upload a CV and a cover letter outlining why you consider yourself a good candidate for this role. 

If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact the principal investigator of the project, dr. Tommy van Steen via t.van.steen@fgga.leidenuniv.nl. You can apply until October 24th 2025. Applications will be processed immediately thereafter. 

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/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions 

• 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) 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.