Job Description

Do you want to contribute to ethnographic research into the politics of valuing seaweed in Scotland?

The Leiden University's Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, based within the Faculty of Social Sciences, is looking for an ambitious PhD-candidate to study the impacts of economization of seaweed as part of ‘blue economy’ strategies in Scotland. Research focuses on the impacts on coastal communities considering that in Scotland colonial legacies still influence patterns of unequal access to and use of coastal areas. You will work within the project ‘Entangled in seaweed: The politics of economising nature in Scotland and South Africa’ funded by an NWO Open Competition grant.

Project Description

The project investigates the impacts of economisation of seaweed as part of a global drive to develop ‘blue economy’ strategies. Seaweed harvesting and cultivation (as food, or fertilizer- and bioplastic ingredient) are increasing considerably and promoted as contributing to sustainable development. The project focuses on coastal communities in Scotland, which has developed a comprehensive blue economy strategy. Building on insights from political ecology and valuation studies and inspired by the multispecies turn in anthropology, this project aims to study local impacts of new forms of economisation of seaweed, and the possible contestations these may entail. It seeks to incorporate the ideas, interests, and knowledge from local groups who live from, in and with seaweed ecologies, examining how new versions of economisation affect local social relations, including the entanglements with non-humans these ecologies and economisations depend on. It does so by focusing on valuations of seaweed ecologies, based on an understanding of values as enacted through practices by all (human and non-human) stakeholders. The project employs a collaborative approach vis-à-vis research participants and a wider audience through a visual storytelling approach.

What you will do

You will work in a project team consisting of two PhD-candidates and researchers at Leiden University, collaborating with project partners in Scotland. You will:

• Develop a research proposal in the context of the overall project theme, and conduct twelve months of ethnographic research in Scotland. An ethics review and contribution to the data management plan are included in the proposal development. Research includes historical document/policy analysis, participant observation, interviews, and the application of participatory visual storytelling methods.
• Analyse research findings and write a dissertation that contributes to the objectives of the ‘Entangled with Seaweed’ project.
• Actively contribute to the output and dissemination of the research project, which includes collaborating with the other team members on academic and non-academic publications, science communication, and the organisation of workshops, seminars and an exhibition.
• Participate in relevant PhD-courses and masterclasses, organised in accordance with the guidelines of the Faculty of Social Science and the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology. PhD-courses at the University of Edinburgh, our partner in the project, can be included in the individual training and supervision plan as well.
• Participate in the PhD programme and other academic activities of the Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology at Leiden University. During your stay in Scotland you will also be able to participate in the PhD-programme at the University of Edinburgh as well as academic activities organised by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS).

Where you will work

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: the Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Education and Child Studies, Political Science, and Psychology. The faculty is home to approximately 7,000 students and 1,000 staff members. Our institutes are dedicated not only to education but also to groundbreaking research that expands our understanding of human behavior and societal structures. What makes our faculty unique is the diversity of research topics, the variety of teaching approaches, and the structure of professional support. This provides you with the opportunity to explore and develop your interests and expertise. For an introduction to our faculty, visit our website: Welcome to the Leiden Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences – Leiden University.

Leiden University's Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (CADS)

Leiden University's Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology concentrates on 'global vulnerability and social resilience'. The institute has three main themes: diversity, sustainability, and digitalisation. CADS is dedicated to making a real-world impact, not just studying change, but also working with communities to promote positive change through education and research. We use a unique approach that blends qualitative, quantitative, audiovisual, and digital methods based on ethnographic fieldwork.

With our unique blend of interdisciplinary interests, comparative regional studies, and social science research methods, we emphasize our role in the extensive collaborative network within Leiden University. In both our research and education, we engage in extensive interdisciplinary and international networks.

The project team

The project team at Leiden University works closely together with colleagues at the University of Edinburgh, the Scottish Association for Marine Science, and Stellenbosch University. The PhD-students will be jointly supervised by Leiden University and Stellenbosch University, and Leiden University and the University of Edinburgh respectively. A project assistant will assist with training and dissemination activities.

What you bring

• A Master’s degree in Anthropology, Sociology, Environmental Humanities, Science and Technology Studies, or another relevant discipline within the social sciences or humanities.
• Demonstrable excellent qualitative research skills and experience with ethnographic fieldwork.
• Affinity with the topics of sustainability and environmental justice.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong command of English;
• Knowledge of one of the other official languages of Scotland (Scots, Scottish Gaelic) is a bonus.
• Excellent social and organisational skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a team.

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 just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or 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:

• PHD: An employment contract for 38 hours per week 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 between €3204 - €4051 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (PhD student);
• 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.

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

What we value

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.

As part of your application we ask you to submit:

• A letter explaining your motivation to apply for a PhD-position, and more specifically for such a position within the project (maximum of 2 pages);
• A curriculum vitae (CV) (maximum of 2 pages);
• A copy of your Bachelor and Master’s degree with a course and grade list;
• A summary of how you would design the ethnographic research in Scotland (maximum of 500 words);
• The names and contact details of two referees who can be contacted to provide information on your qualifications and strengths (we are not asking for a referee report at this stage of the application procedure).

If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact prof. dr. Marja Spierenburg, project leader, at at +31715276699 or by email: m.j.spierenburg@fsw.leiden or dr. Mandy de Wilde, project member, by email: m.de.wilde@fsw.leidenuniv.nl. You can apply until 7 November 2026; applications will be processed immediately. Interviews will take place during the last week of November and the first week of December 2026.

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, certificate of good conduct (VOG)) 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. #LI-Hybrid