Key Skills

Job Description

Leiden University’s Institute of Public Administration is looking for a teaching / research assistant to support the activities of the Netherlands Institute of Governance (NIG). The NIG is a joint research school of 14 universities in the field of public administration and political science in the Netherlands and Flanders. It offers high-quality PhD education and a vibrant research network for junior and senior academics. For more background: https://www.nigovernance.nl/ What You Will Do As a research and teaching assistant, you support colleagues in the NIG team in organizing the ongoing education programme, the annual research conference, and other network activities for the academic community of public administration scholars and related disciplines in the Netherlands and Flanders. Your tasks include: Support in organizing the education programme, such as keeping track of registrations, maintaining contact with participants and lecturers, and acting as the point of contact on-site during course days. External communication: such as maintaining the website, online conference tool, and handling marketing communication. Support in organizing events: you attend the annual conference and share responsibility for ensuring the days run smoothly. Work before and during the conference includes practical support such as communication, logistical preparation, and receiving and registering guests. Experience with or an affinity for positioning and further developing a small-scale but high-quality knowledge organization is a plus. Where you will work The mission of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA)? Contributing to society. The faculty does this through high-quality interdisciplinary education and (new) scientific knowledge. Whether it is terrorism, security, artificial intelligence or a governance solution to the housing crisis, contemporary issues are comprehensively addressed at FGGA. In the heart of The Hague, where important decisions are made, students and professionals come together to gain knowledge and skills. There is much collaboration with academic and societal partners, which ensures that students leave university with a smile and one foot in the future, ready to make a substantial contribution to society. FGGA is one of the seven faculties of Leiden University. This young, entrepreneurial, innovative organisation has three scientific institutes, two centres, over 3,700 students and 425 staff members. For more information about the faculty, click here. The Institute of Public Administration, which is part of FGGA, is one of the largest and oldest institutes on academic research and teaching in the field of public administration in the Netherlands. The institute combines a solid international academic reputation with a central positioning among the international, national, regional, and local governance institutions in The Hague. The institute has an international profile and gets high peer reviewed ratings, both for its research and education. More information on the Institute of Public Administration. The NIG management team is a small, dedicated group of scholars who organize the PhD training programme and support an international network of junior and senior academics. The team is very committed to a positive team spirit and to support the professionalization and community-building of junior and senior academic colleagues across the Netherlands, Flanders and beyond. Alongside this work, NIG team members are active in their own academic research, teaching and outreach and are happy to involve the younger team members in their day-to-day activities. The team is hosted by the Institute of Public Administration at Leiden University in The Hague, which offers not only a vibrant urban setting but also close proximity to key political and administrative institutions. What You Bring You have demonstrable affinity for public administration as a subject area and field of work. You have demonstrable experience with or an affinity for organizational strategy. You have experience with or an affinity for organizing activities and events. You have good social and communication skills, in English and preferably B2- C1 level of fluency in Dutch or a passive understanding of Dutch) . You enjoy the challenge of mastering new (digital) systems or platforms and contributing to streamlining work processes. You have a proactive attitude and are a team player You are available for 16-20 hours per week. What We Offer We offer an employment contract for an initial period of one year. Subject to satisfactory performance and unchanged organisational circumstances, the contract may be extended. The total duration of the temporary appointment will not exceed 36 months. A gross monthly salary of € 3837-€ 4673 (scale 8) or € 3873-€ 5264 (scale 9), based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week), depending on your experience and qualifications. For appointment in scale 9, candidates are expected to perform the role largely independently, take ownership of key operational processes, and make a substantive contribution to the development and positioning of the programme. 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 and bicycle scheme; 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. What We Value Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. We strive to be an open community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to fully develop themselves. We consider an inclusive academic environment, where students and staff can share their experiences and viewpoints, to be essential for the development of talent. Want to apply or find out more? If you want to apply straight away, click the application button. In your application, please include your CV and a motivation letter. If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact either: Caelesta Braun ([email protected]) (scientific director NIG) or Nadine Raaphorst ([email protected]) (managing director NIG). You can apply until: 03-12-2026, Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. Suitable candidates may be invited for an interview before the closing date, so early applications are encouraged.

Core Responsibilities

Support the NIG education programme by coordinating registrations, communicating with participants and lecturers, maintaining online resources, and providing on-site assistance during course days. Help organize the annual research conference and other network activities, including communications, logistics, and guest registration.

Requirements

Candidates should have an affinity for public administration, organizational strategy, and organizing activities or events, along with strong social and communication skills in English. Dutch proficiency at B2–C1 level or passive understanding is preferred; applicants should be proactive, collaborative, comfortable learning digital systems, and available for 16–20 hours per week.

Benefits

• Holiday Allowance
• End-Of-Year Bonus
• Pension Scheme
• Public Transport Commuting Reimbursement
• Flexible Working Hours
• Paid Leave
• Sabbatical Options
• Paid Parental Leave
• Sports Subscription Scheme
• Bicycle Scheme
• Hybrid Working
• Home-Working Allowance
• Laptop
• Mobile Telephone