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Leiden University
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PhD position in organisational science and cybersecurity Leiden University in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Sociology
Funding
NWO-funded project; PhD employment contract for 38 hours per week with a gross monthly salary of €3,204 to €4,051, plus holiday allowance, end-of-year bonus, pension scheme, commuting reimbursement, and other employment benefits.
Deadline
Dec 3, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
Leiden University
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About this position
This PhD project sits within an NWO-funded study on how organisations can build positive cybersecurity solutions by learning from what already works well. Rather than focusing on failures, the project asks what successful organisations do differently across the individual, team, and organisational levels to prevent cyber incidents or reduce their impact.
The advertised PhD position concentrates on the organisational level of that broader research question. The selected candidate will carry out empirical research into factors such as organisational structure, power dynamics, and communication between departments, with the aim of understanding which organisational conditions help cybersecurity succeed.
The work will be carried out with researchers from the Cybersecurity Governance and Governance of Crisis research groups at Leiden University’s Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA). ISGA is part of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs in The Hague and has a strong interdisciplinary profile, bringing together expertise on cybersecurity, crises, intelligence, terrorism, war, violence, and diplomacy.
The Cybersecurity Governance research group focuses on the non-technical side of cybersecurity across society, including organisational end-users as well as broader governance, regulation, international relations, and diplomacy. The group combines perspectives from multiple disciplines, creating a collaborative environment for research on cybersecurity from social and organisational angles.
The position is embedded in Leiden University’s Graduate School of Governance and Global Affairs, where PhD students receive training across professional courses, skills development, and personal effectiveness. The advert presents the role as a research-focused opportunity within an international university environment in The Hague.
Funding details
NWO-funded project; PhD employment contract for 38 hours per week with a gross monthly salary of €3,204 to €4,051, plus holiday allowance, end-of-year bonus, pension scheme, commuting reimbursement, and other employment benefits.
What's required
A Master’s degree in organisational science, psychology, communication science, behavioural sciences, political science, sociology, or a related field is required. Applicants should have an interest in cybersecurity and be willing to learn the field if it is new to them. Demonstrated experience in quantitative research is expected, and experience in qualitative research is considered an asset. The role also calls for a collaborative mindset, the ability to work independently and in a team, strong communication skills for stakeholder interaction and communicating scientific findings, and Dutch proficiency is considered an asset. The candidate must live in or be willing to relocate to the Netherlands upon starting.
How to apply
Apply through the application button on the AcademicTransfer vacancy page. Upload a CV and a cover letter explaining why you are a good fit for the role. For questions about the position, contact the principal investigator, Dr. Tommy van Steen, by email.
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.