Leiden University

Education

Leiden offers over fifty three-year bachelor's programmes and almost a hundred one or two-year master's programmes.

Leiden University's philosophy is that a full academic training consists of a bachelor's and a master's programme. All students who have completed a bachelor's programme in Leiden are therefore eligible to proceed directly to at least one Leiden master's programme.  

After completing a full academic programme, Leiden students are equipped for all positions within society that call for an academic level of thinking and working. Our graduates are also competent to embark on a PhD programme.

More information can be found on our website.

Research

Leiden University is one of Europe's foremost research universities and has been making a prominent contribution to prosperity, well-being and culture since 1575.

Leiden University has appointed 11 profile themes for research carried out within the university. These themes, all areas in which our researchers excel, transcend the traditional boundaries between disciplines and faculties. They offer opportunities for top-level fundamental research whilst at the same time reflecting key societal and global concerns of the 21st century. 

Get to know us as an employer

Leiden University has been making a prominent contribution to prosperity, well-being and culture since 1575, in a climate where every individual can develop his or her talents free from any ideological, cultural, religious or other limitations. Leiden is both small scale and personal. Leiden University collaborates with prominent universities in the League of European Research Universities. Discover our freedom of spirit, embodied daily by critical students, researchers and staff members. Leiden University: an inspiring work environment with an academic tradition.

Approximately 4,000 staff members contribute to offering more than 27,000 students a more promising future. In addition to the academic staff, we also employ a large number of non-academic staff, who provide our organisation with the professional administration and support needed to facilitate advanced high-quality research and teaching.

Leiden University offers attractive conditions of employment. The University offers excellent opportunities for combining work and private life. For instance, with respect to working hours, we take your personal preferences into account, and you can apply for paid parental leave. More information on conditions and policies can be found at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at.

Academic staff

Whether you are looking for a job as a lecturer, a researcher, or a combination of the two, Leiden University is regularly on the look-out for motivated academic staff. This includes PhD candidates and researchers, but also senior university lecturers and professors. In this context the University seriously invests in its academic career policy: this is apparent for instance in the tenure tracks we offer, that target high potential candidates in possession of a PhD who aim to become professors.

PhD positions

Leiden University is often on the look-out for ambitious recent graduates with a passion and talent for research. We believe that fundamental research is crucial for the development of a modern society and for the future welfare of mankind. A number of renowned scientists have contributed to our University’s fame, including 4 Nobel Prize Winners: Einthoven (Physiology/Medicine), Kamerlingh Onnes, Lorentz and Zeeman (Physics). Click here for more reasons to choose for a PhD track at Leiden University.

Non-academic staff

Although when universities are mentioned, most people think primarily of opportunities for those who aspire to a scientific career, a large number of our employees work as supporting staff. For the support required for the Executive Board and the organisation of the University as a whole, the Administration and Central Services, the eight expertise centres and the seven faculties require a broad variety of staff, including: ICT experts, legal experts, secretaries, receptionists, marketing and communication staff, financial and real estate experts, and human resources and policy officers. At Leiden University, we also offer these employees an inspiring work environment in which innovation is constantly sought in order to keep up with the dynamic outside world. In addition, our internal mobility policy stimulates staff members to enrich their career with interesting experiences.

Leiden International Centre

Leiden International Centre is a non-profit organisation supporting the many international knowledge workers who live and work in and around Leiden. The centre provides information about technical formalities such as visas, permits, registering with the municipality and local services, and information about living in Leiden, schools and healthcare, as well as all that there is to do in Leiden.
Contact: Visit the website www.leideninternationalcentre.nl, email your questions to helpdesk@leideninternationalcentre.nl or call +31 (0)71 516 6005.

Interesting for you

Still figuring out what you would like to do in your career? Discover your options in the Netherlands and become part of the Dutch research community: AcademicsConnected. Let us help you find your career path and try out our career services now!