She holds a Professorship in Theoretical Geochemistry at Utrecht University and University of Paris-Est. At Cardiff University, de Leeuw works on the university's European strategy and collaborations. These include Horizon 2020, the Erasmus Programme and the Bologna Process. On 31 May 2019 it was announced that de Leeuw would take up the newly created post of executive dean in the newly formed Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Leeds University on 1 January 2020. Her awards and honours include: