Director International Institute of Social History - IISH - KNAW

The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) is seeking an authoritative and innovative scholar with broad knowledge of social history research and collections or a leading specialist in the field of scientific libraries of archives to serve as director of the International Institute of Social History (IISH).

IISH

The IISH's research program focuses on work and labour relations worldwide over the past five hundred years. Key questions in this research involve the connection between work, labour relations, and social inequality. Insights are disseminated through an Open Science agenda. This also involves engaging in dialogue with a wider audience to help create a more open, inclusive, and equal society. The IISH also manages a rich collection in the field of socio-economic history, which is made available online and in the institute's reading room as much as possible. The archives, publications, and audiovisual collections span over 50 kilometres and provide historical and contemporary information about organizations and individuals in the fields of labour and social and emancipatory movements. The IISH sits within the Humanities Cluster of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW).

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Within the framework of the KNAW's strategy, you will have overall responsibility for the IISH’s direction and day-to-day management. You will ensure that the IISH remains an internationally leading institute where scientific talent can flourish and collections are made accessible in a sustainable manner.

• You will lead a team of researchers and collection specialists. You will ensure that the right people are in the right positions, provide guidance where necessary, and inspire staff.

• You will play an important role in national and international networks and partnerships in the field and promote interdisciplinary collaboration with universities, KNAW institutes, and NWO institutes.

• You will identify important developments in science and society, both at home and abroad, and respond to them appropriately. You will also be responsible for positioning the IISH within social debates.

• You will position the IISH with national and international science funders (including the EU and NWO), knowledge institutions, social institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and the business community, and translate this into new partnerships.

• You will promote the IISH's science communication and the social impact of the institute's research activities. You are a point of contact in the public debate and will clearly communicate the relevance of the institute’s research and collections.

• As the IISH’s representative in the directors' meeting you will play an active role in the management of the Humanities Cluster and contribute to strategic cooperation within the cluster.

• You are a member of the KNAW Council of Directors where you will engage in constructive discussions on issues that transcend individual institutes.

PROFILE

The following criteria will be taken into account in the selection process:

• You are a leading scholar, as evidenced by your influential publications, among other things, or a leading specialist with a doctorate in the field of scientific libraries of archives.

• You are honest, decisive, and results-oriented, and you have proven leadership qualities. You identify with our core values of appreciative leadership: connection, development, and clarity. You are able to provide inspiring leadership to a team of professionals and ensure that the various parts of the organization work closely together.

• You have a clear and strategic vision of the profile and future development of the IISH as a dynamic research institute with important collections, and of the IISH's position in the international and national landscape of academic and social relations. 

• You are a driving force behind research and collection development and promote the role of the IISH as an innovative institute.

• You have a large (inter)national network that you know how to use to form strategic alliances and obtain grants for research and collections.

• You have a clear vision for business operations, as well as experience in finance and human resources management. You are therefore well-placed to take on responsibility for both the academic and business operations of the institute. This enables you to work closely with the directors of research and collections to ensure that the institute’s organizational and work processes are properly structured.

• You have excellent communication skills in both Dutch and English, a coaching, inclusive management style, and a keen eye for inclusion, equality, and well-being in the workplace. A director without work experience in the Netherlands is expected to quickly familiarize themselves with the strategic landscape and learn the Dutch language.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The deadline for applications is 19 October 2025. Your application must be submitted via the 'Apply Now'-button on the KNAW jobpage. The KNAW follows the appointment procedure for institute directors that has been approved by the Participation Council. The selection procedure may include an assessment and a language test. The first round of interviews will take place on 25 November 2025, the second round on 5 December 2025. 

Further information about the IISH can be found at IISH | International Institute of Social History. As Director of the IISH you are based at Cruquiusweg 31 in Amsterdam. For further information about the position, please contact Geert de Snoo, Director of Research Policy at the KNAW, at geert.de.snoo@knaw.nl.

ABOUT THE KNAW

The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) is the forum for and of excellent scientists. The KNAW is an advisory body to the government in the field of science and is responsible for twelve leading institutes, whose research and collections are among the best in the Netherlands and internationally. Independent units are the Young Academy and the Academy of Arts.

The KNAW Bureau assists members, the board, councils and committees, institutes and the management in carrying out their tasks.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

The employment contract with the KNAW is for an indefinite period. The appointment as institute director is for a term of five years, starting no later than 1 July, 2026, with the intention of reappointment for a second and final five year term.

Depending on education and experience, the gross monthly salary is a minimum of € 8.673,- and a maximum of € 11.461,- for full-time employment (scale 17 of the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities/KNAW). This excludes 8% vacation pay, 8.3% end-of-year bonus, travel allowance, internet and home working allowance, and pension accrual with the ABP.

The KNAW offers an excellent package of secondary employment conditions, including provisions for specific life phases, lifestyles, and career ambitions. For a complete overview of the terms of employment, see: working at the KNAW.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and valued to be of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together, we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We therefore welcome candidates who, based on their background and experience, wish to contribute to this endeavour. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who enhances diversity within the KNAW.

Recruiter outreach in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.