PhD Position in the Belonging of European Muslims to the EU
A four-year doctoral research project investigating the sense of belonging, agency, and political participation of European Muslims within the EU.
Best for:Best for social science graduates with a strong background in political science, sociology, or migration studies and qualitative research skills.
Overview
The Institute for History at Leiden University invites applications for a PhD position focused on the belonging of European Muslims to the European Union. This project, led by Professor Sarah Wolff, aims to conceptualize how European Muslims experience, contest, and negotiate their identity and citizenship within EU institutions. The successful candidate will contribute to research on transnational agency, political mobilization, and discourse analysis across Bulgaria, France, and the Netherlands. Applicants are expected to conduct high-quality research, participate in graduate school training, and contribute to both academic and public-facing outputs. This role offers an opportunity to engage in a critical, under-researched area of European politics and sociology.
What you'll do
- Complete a PhD thesis within a four-year timeframe.
- Participate actively in project research group meetings.
- Present intermediate research findings at academic workshops and conferences.
- Engage in the training programme provided by the Graduate School.
- Co-organize academic workshops and conferences related to the project.
- Contribute to public-facing outputs such as policy briefs and podcasts.
Requirements
Degree required: MA or Research Master's in political science, international relations, European studies, migration, or sociology.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: Excellent command of English and Arabic.
Instruction: English
- High-quality MA thesis.
- Strong qualitative research skills, including interview techniques.
- Excellent command of English and Arabic.
- Ability to work independently and within an international team.
- Strong academic writing skills.
- Must be able to live and work in the Netherlands.
- Must hold the required MA degree by the time of appointment.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-26
Submit your application via the university's online portal. Ensure all documents are in PDF format and include the vacancy number.
- Cover letter
- Research proposal (max 1000 words)
- CV
- Copy of MA thesis
Contact
Sarah Wolff· Professor
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