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University Lectureship Modern Central Asian Studies
The Faculty of Humanities at Leiden University invites applications for a fulltime University Lectureship in Modern Central Asian Studies, with a specific focus on the study of contemporary Central Asia from a transregional perspective.

The University Lecturer will be expected to contribute to the advancement of Modern Central Asia Studies at Leiden University and develop it into a dynamic and visible expertise area within the Leiden Institute for Area Studies (LIAS) that complements, connects and leverages existing teaching and research expertise on Modern Asia and the Modern Middle East.

The University Lecturer will pursue and develop innovative research on relevant transregional themes and draw on this research to develop and deliver courses across a number of programmes managed by LIAS, including the MA programmes Asian Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, International Relations and Religious Studies and related BA area studies (China, Japan, Korea, Middle East), and International Studies programmes. The University Lecturer will supervise theses and/or teach on theories and methods relevant to their field in all these programmes.

Key responsibilities

• Performing innovative research on major transregional issues confronting the contemporary societies, politics and economies of Central Asia (in its broadest definition: including the former Soviet republics) that creates and leverages synergies with existing expertise within LIAS on Modern Asia and the Modern Middle East.
• Designing and delivering research-informed BA and MA courses on major transregional themes pertaining to the contemporary societies, politics and economies of Central Asia, including but not limited to regional (digital) connectivity and infrastructure, regional development, regional political ecology, gender and regional identities, extraregional investment in the region, and other extraregional linkages and interactions (including with East Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Iran and Russia).
• Teaching existing courses within the BA and MA programmes managed by LIAS and supervising thesis students from all these programmes, including on topics outside their primary research expertise and on relevant theories and methods.
• Co-supervision of PhD research.
• Cooperating with other faculty in curriculum development, teaching, course and programme evaluations; participating in regular meetings of the teaching programmes; taking up administrative tasks within LIAS and its programmes; holding regular office hours with students, engaging in professional development activities; and contributing actively to the academic and social environment of LIAS and its teaching programmes.

Key requirements

• A compelling vision for the development of Central Asian Studies as an independent yet interconnected expertise and profile area linking existing area expertise within LIAS on Asia and the Middle East.
• Excellent social and teamwork skills and the ambition and ability to work constructively in an international and interdisciplinary academic environment towards implementing this vision.
• A PhD degree in area studies, development studies, global political economy, social geography, international relations, sociology or a similar relevant field, with an empirical focus on modern Central Asia.
• Excellent command of at least one relevant Central Asian language, preferably one of the Turkic languages. Applicants who additionally can work with Chinese, Russian or other major source languages for the study of this region are particularly welcome to apply.
• A demonstrable record of relevant research experience within the Central Asian region, preferably in multiple countries in the region, and an active network of academic researchers across the region.
• Proven didactic qualities (teaching evaluations) and demonstrable teaching experience on topics and themes relevant to this position.
• A research and publication record commensurate with career stage.
• Excellent command of English and Dutch as the teaching languages within our university. Applicants are expected to teach, speak and write in English and, within two years, also in Dutch (C1 level); (near‑)native proficiency in English is required (C2 level). For Dutch, language acquisition will be supported by LIAS.

Our organisation
The Faculty of Humanities is rich in expertise in fields such as philosophy, religious studies, history, art history, literature, linguistics and area studies covering nearly every region of the world. With its staff of 995, the faculty provides 27 master’s and 25 bachelor’s programmes for over 7,000 students based at locations in Leiden and inThe Hague. For more information: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities.

Leiden Institute for Area Studies (https://www.hum.leiden.edu/lias/) is comprised of a School of Asian Studies and a School of Middle-Eastern Studies, with international staff and student populations. The institute is committed to a present-day vision of area studies, integrating disciplinary and regional-historical perspectives on a solid foundation of excellent language skills. Current staff in LIAS has expertise in the fields of Anthropology, Archaeology, Art Studies, Buddhist Studies, Film Studies, History, International Relations, Language Pedagogy, Law, Linguistics, Literary Studies, Material Culture Studies, Performance Studies, Philology, Philosophy, Political Economy, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Visual Culture Studies.

Terms and conditions
We offer a fulltime (38 hours per week) position for one year, to be taken up as soon as possible, but no later than 1 January 2024. Upon good performance the position will be converted into a permanent position. Salary range from €3637.- to €4978.- gross per month (pay scale 11), in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The university lecturer may start at the appropriate step in scale 10 until they fully meet the requirements for scale 11 as specified by the Faculty of Humanities, particularly with regard to the number of years of relevant work experience.

Diversity and inclusion
Fostering an inclusive community is a central element of the values and vision of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Information
Enquiries can be made to Prof. Dr Gabrielle van den Berg at: g.r.van.den.berg@hum.leidenuniv.nl.

Applications
Applications must be submitted online via the blue button in our application system no later than 30 May 2023.

Only applications in English will be considered. Please ensure that you include the following documents in a single PDF document named ‘FAMILY NAME – Given name – vacancy number and in the following order:

• A letter of motivation including a personal vision for the development and positioning of Modern Central Asian Studies within the LIAS. We encourage prospective candidates to reflect on how their teaching and research connects with the LIAS position paper ‘Where is here?’.
• A CV including education and employment history, publications, and courses taught to date and planned.
• A research statement and agenda demonstrating the applicant’s ambition to work from transregional, interdisciplinary, and/or comparative perspectives and the potential for constructive interaction with the Asian Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, and/or and Religious Studies sections within the LIAS (max. 2 pages).
• A teaching statement that explains the candidate’s pedagogic philosophy and approach (1 page).
• A sample of a detailed course description (intro + outline of 12 two-hour weekly sessions) on a topic of choice within the field of Modern Central Asian Studies, aimed at students of the MA programmes Asian Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, International Relations and Religious Studies at the LIAS.
• A sample of a detailed course description previously used by the applicant in academic teaching, aimed at BA or MA students of Modern Central Asian Studies.
• Names, positions, and e-mail addresses of three referees (no reference letters at this point).

The interviews with shortlisted candidates are tentatively scheduled for the second week of June, 2023.

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