Visiting Professorship for Central Europe

The Leiden Austria Centre and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research (BMFWF) invite applicants to the 2026-27/2027-28 Annual Leiden Visiting Professorship for Central Europe.

The visiting professor will be active at the Leiden University Institute for History and will co-operate with the Special Chair for Central European Studies established there by the Leiden Foundation for Austrian Studies (currently Austrian Studies Fund at the Leids Universiteitsfonds, LUF).

Candidates with backgrounds in history, art history, literature and music are invited to apply; social scientists who utilise cultural or historical approaches in their study of Central Europe are also eligible.

Visiting professors will be active in the second semester (early February-early June). They are expected to teach two courses (a BA lecture course and an advanced BA or MA research seminar) on broad and attractive themes connected to their research. Teaching will be in English (although passive knowledge of German can be expected among the students).

Applicants should indicate their availability for / preference for 2026-27 or 2027-28; in principle the selection for these two subsequent years will be dealt with in one round.

Leiden University provides visiting professors with office space and access to digital services. Housing will be arranged by the Leiden Austrian Studies Fund. Visiting professors will be encouraged to participate in the academic life of the Humanities Faculty and Leiden University. The scheme is intended to benefit the Leiden community as well as the Visiting Professor through the fruitful exchange of knowledge and experiences.

The Annual Leiden Visiting Professorship for Central Europe is intended to strengthen Austrian-Dutch academic co-operation in the field of Central European History and Culture. In co-operation with the Special Chair, Prof. Dr. Sarah Cramsey, the Visiting Professors contribute to a curriculum that attracts humanities students to key Central European themes. It fits wider activities of the Leiden Austria Centre sponsoring student and PhD-research, such as the Annual Lecture and a Prize for BA and MA theses as well as a Research Stipend provided by the Austrian Studies Fund. Through its frequent contacts with the eight other Austria Centres worldwide, the Leiden centre strives to foster an international network of young researchers.

Note that as of 2024-2025 the OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation funds the Visiting professorship on behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research.

Eligibility and qualification requirements

• PHD from an Austrian University in one of the following fields: history, art history, literature and music; social scientists who utilise cultural or historical approaches in their study of Central Europe are also eligible
• Tenured (‘unbefristete’) university position at an accredited Public Austrian University.
• Activity in Humanities research areas or closely related social sciences.
• Habilitation from 2010 or later or can show an academic career stage commensurate with this.
• Excellent command of English. Several years of experience at a university.

We ask:

• Professors will teach two courses in English (though some knowledge of German can be expected among the students): a BA 2-3 lecture course and a BA 3 or MA/MPhil research seminar.
• Course themes should be attractive for students and thus not be too specialized

We offer:

• Office space and access to digital systems of Leiden University
• Housing
• Payment will be arranged by the OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation on behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research and the respective Austrian University (Freistellung unter Beibehalt der Bezüge und Refundierung der Kosten durch den OeAD)
• Travel expenses (once)

Leiden University
Since its founding in 1575, Leiden University has built an internationally recognized record of excellence in teaching and research. The Faculty of Humanities is an international center for the study of languages, cultures, arts, and societies worldwide, in their historical contexts from prehistory to the present. We take culture broadly to include religions, philosophies, and worldviews as well as literature, art, and technology. In research and teaching, we focus on Dynamics of Diversity, meaning the mobility of people, language, culture, ideas, art, and institutions in a globalizing world, and their interconnectivity through the ages. The Faculty is home to well over 7200 students and 800 academics. It offers 26 BA programs and 27 MA programs. The Graduate School annually awards about 70 PhD degrees. The Institute for History is the home of a vibrant community of researchers and lecturers with outstanding track records and successful in attracting national and international grants.

Diversity
Diversity and inclusion are core values of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. Leiden University’s Institute for History embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds to apply. Information Prospective candidates can contact Special Chair for Central European Studies Prof. Dr. Sarah Cramsey s.a.cramsey@hum.leidenuniv.nl. On the Austrian side Sigrid Koller MA Sigrid.Koller@oead.at of the OeAD can be contacted.

The deadline for applications for the 2026-2027 and 2027-28 Visiting Professorships is Wednesday 1 November 2025 noon CET.

All applicants will receive notification of the status of their application before Thursday 1 February 2026, a full year before the start of the 2026-2027 Visiting Professorship in February 2027 and two years before the start of the 2027-28 Visiting Professorship in February 2028.

Applications include:

• A cover letter.
• A full CV including teaching experience.
• Indication of availability and preference 2026-27 and/or 2027-28.
• Two one-page Proposals with title, description of theme, and a brief layout respectively for 1) a lecture course (BA 2-3) and 2) a research seminar (BA 3/MA).