PhD Position in European Muslims’ Belonging to the EU
Explore how European Muslims experience and shape their belonging to the European Union through transnational agency and political participation.
Best for:Best for PhD candidates with a strong background in political science, sociology, or international relations, interested in EU studies, social movements, and qualitative research methods.
Overview
This PhD position at Leiden University’s Institute for History focuses on the understudied relationship between European Muslims and the European Union. The project, funded by NOW Open-L, investigates how European Muslims—defined as self-identifying Muslims with EU citizenship—conceptualize and negotiate their sense of belonging to the EU. The research will examine institutional, transnational, and societal dimensions of belonging, including political mobilisation, litigation, and collective action. The successful candidate will contribute to a comparative study across Bulgaria, France, and the Netherlands, using qualitative and digital methods to analyse how European Muslims actively shape EU politics and citizenship. The position offers a multidisciplinary approach, combining EU studies, social movement theory, and discourse analysis.
What you'll do
- Complete a PhD thesis within four years, focusing on European Muslims’ sense of belonging to the EU.
- Participate in project meetings, workshops, and conferences to present intermediate research results.
- Engage in training programmes offered by Leiden University’s Graduate Schools.
- Co-organise workshops and conferences related to the project’s themes.
- Contribute to public outputs such as podcasts or policy briefs to disseminate findings.
Requirements
Degree required: Master’s degree (MA or equivalent) in political science, international relations, European Union studies, migration studies, or sociology, obtained by the time of appointment. If not yet obtained, a statement from the applicant’s supervisor confirming timely completion is required.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English and Arabic (mandatory); French, Dutch, or Bulgarian (preferred).
Instruction: English
- Strong research skills, particularly qualitative methods (e.g., interviews, discourse analysis).
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international research team.
- Excellent command of English and Arabic.
- Excellent writing skills for academic and public-facing outputs.
- Applicant must have EU citizenship or be legally eligible to work in the Netherlands.
- Must be able to live and work in the Netherlands for the duration of the PhD.
- No age restrictions, but prior research experience in EU or migration studies is advantageous.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-26
Submit an application in English via Leiden University’s online portal by the deadline. Include a cover letter, a research proposal (max 1000 words), CV with publications, and a copy of your MA thesis. Applications must be in PDF format. An interview with the search committee is scheduled for 13 November 2026. Referees will be requested later in the process.
- Cover letter
- Research proposal (max 1000 words)
- Curriculum vitae (including publications)
- Copy of MA thesis
Contact
Sarah Wolff· Professor
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