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Vacancy: PhD Dean

15 September 2025

Would you like to play an important role in the supervision and development of our PhD candidates? Leiden Law School has a vacancy for a new PhD Dean (0.2 FTE) starting on 1 November 2025

The Deanship of PhD Studies is part of the Graduate School of Legal Studies. As part of a team with two fellow PhD Deans, together you will supervise the progress of the research conducted by PhD candidates, offering – solicited and unsolicited – advice. You are a trusted point of contact and contribute to an inspiring and professional research environment. You will work closely with the staff of the Graduate School. 

What are your responsibilities?

As PhD Dean, you help make a difference for our PhD candidates. You: 

  • hold starting interviews and evaluation meetings; 
  • discuss and approve the Training and Supervision Plan (TSP); 
  • are involved in the admissions procedure for external PhD candidates; 
  • provide advice to PhD candidates and supervisors on matters such as the training plan (opleidingsplan)
  • consult regularly with PhD candidates, the PhD representative and the Head of the Graduate School; 
  • coordinate where necessary with the confidential counsellor for PhD candidates and HR advisors; 
  • are active in helping shape policy within the faculty in relation to PhDs.

Profile

We are looking for a colleague who: 

  • has affinity with the supervision and development of PhD candidates; 
  • has good communication skills and has an open, approachable nature; 
  • is able to provide advice with authority and tact and can take decisions; 
  • is prepared to actively help in further developing policy related to PhDs. 

Why this role?

As PhD Dean you can contribute directly to the development of the next generation of researchers. You will work closely with colleagues and PhD candidates and will have a visible role at the academic heart of our faculty. 

Interested?

Are you enthusiastic about this position? Please send a short motivation letter to Karin van Heijningen by 10 October at the latest. If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to contact one of the three PhD Deans. You can also read the 2023 article on PhD Dean Jim Been (to the right of this article). 

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