Postdoc position in political philosophy

2 weken geleden


Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd
Faculteit of dienst: Faculteit Geesteswetenschappen Afdeling: Departement Filosofie en Religiewetenschap Uren per week: 36 tot 40 Uiterlijk reageren op: 4 maart 2024

We are looking to hire three postdocs in political philosophy (or closely related fields) who want to contribute to the Visions of the Future project.

Wat ga je doen?

The aims to provide a systematic normative assessment of the different alternative socio-economic systems that have been proposed to replace neoliberal capitalism. Some well-known proposals are property-owning democracy, the doughnut economy, the well-being economy, models of sustainable prosperity, democratic socialism, as well as some more partial proposals, such as a universal basic income or workplace democracy. These proposals stem from a variety of disciplines – including normative political philosophy, economic sociology, and ecological economics. The goal of the Visions of the Future project is to provide a normative audit of these proposals, by analysing how much they enhance public values and fulfill moral principles, as well as which feasibility constraints they face. The project is funded by a VICI grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and runs from September 2023 until September 2028.

The project team will consist of (project leader) and the three postdocs whom we are now seeking to hire. There are no predetermined subprojects for each of the postdoc positions. Instead, the entire team will together decide, in scholarly deliberation, what the most fruitful comparisons to focus on would be. That implies that the Visions of the Future project also wants to engage (at least in part) with a more collaborative form of doing political philosophy. Prospective candidates can obtain the project outline by contacting Ingrid Robeyns at .

Wat breng je mee?

We are looking for creative and analytically strong scholars in normative political philosophy or related disciplines. Since the research of the Visions for the Future project will in part be interdisciplinary, a proven interest in interdisciplinary questions and skills in integrating empirical research are a must for this project. Ideally, the candidate has done prior research (e.g in their PhD dissertation) on a topic related to the Visions for the Future project, in particular engaged in normative institutional analysis and used value-pluralistic and empirically grounded methods of political philosophy.

Candidates should have finished all work for their PhD degree before they start the job (whether this means one has had the defense or not, and whether one has the degree or not, depends on the system/country in which one did their PhD degree). Only candidates who know they can meet those conditions by September 2024 should apply. In case of doubt, please contact Ingrid Robeyns. If you do not already have your PhD degree awarded, please explain the timeline in your motivation letter.

Wat bieden wij?

We offer:

a postdoc position for 12 months starting 1 September 2024 or, by mutual agreement, shortly thereafter. After a positive evaluation the contract will be extended for the remaining period of 24 months (3 years in total); a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.226,- and € 5.090,- in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU); 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating , leave schemes and schemes for , as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit .

Over ons

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major . Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. .

The has around 7,000 students and 1,100 staff members. It comprises four knowledge domains: Philosophy and Religious Studies, History and Art History, Media and Culture Studies, and Languages, Literature and Communication. With its research and education in these fields, the Faculty aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Netherlands and Europe in a rapidly changing social and cultural context. The enthusiastic and committed colleagues and the excellent amenities in the historical city centre of Utrecht, , contribute to an inspiring working environment.

The research is conducted at the within the . OFR is part of the in the Faculty of Humanities.

Meer informatie

For more information, please contact at ().

Please note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for The Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. Our (ISD) can answer your questions about living in the Netherlands as . Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the .

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Sollicitatie

As Utrecht University, we want to be a for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute. Applicants from backgrounds currently underrepresented in philosophy are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply, please send your application via the 'apply now' button. Your application should consist of 2 PDFs, which should include the following documents.

The first PDF should include:

a motivation letter outlining your interest in the position and your suitability (max. 2 pages); a statement which particular dimension of the Visions for the future project you would be interested to develop; your curriculum vitae, including full personal and academic details; names and contact details of two academic referees, who might be contacted for shortlisted candidates.

The second PDF should be a paper-length writing sample, in English, that is representative of your research. This could be a chapter of your PhD dissertation, or a (draft) article, or something else that you think provides evidence of your suitability for the position.

Candidates who are selected for an interview will receive notice by Friday 17 March. The first round of online interviews will take place between 19 and 22 March. A second round of interviews, ideally on-site in Utrecht, will be conducted on 10 April, or, if the circumstances of the candidate require it, as soon as possible afterwards.

Uiterlijk reageren op 4 maart 2024.



  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Faculteit of dienst: Faculteit Geesteswetenschappen Afdeling: Departement Filosofie en Religiewetenschap Uren per week: 36 tot 40 Uiterlijk reageren op: 1 maart 2024 We are looking for a new colleague specialising in social and/or political philosophy. The position is open to candidates with various specialisations, both in terms of research themes and in...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Are you passionate about teaching and thrive in an academic setting that promotes interdisciplinary learning?If you're nodding along, then come on board the team of teacher-scholars at University College Utrecht (UCU). UCU, known for its Liberal Arts and Sciences program, attracts students with diverse backgrounds and interests. Classes are small and...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Are you a researcher with a background in contemporary political or cultural history and interested in new approaches to the social history of the Holocaust in the Netherlands? Join our teamYour job:While academic literature presents the Holocaust in the Netherlands as a linear, streamlined Nazi-attack on Jews, centered in Amsterdam and other big cities of...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Utrecht University Voltijd

    Science communication often involves hyped, overly broad claims about research findings. What are the causes, social epistemological risks, and who's responsible? In this PhD project, you will be researching these questions.Wat ga je doen?We are offering a fully funded four-year PhD position to a researcher interested in philosophically and experimentally...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Utrecht University Voltijd

    Science communication often involves hyped, overly broad claims about research findings. What are the causes, social epistemological risks, and who's responsible? In this PhD project, you will be researching these questions.Wat ga je doen?We are offering a fully funded four-year PhD position to a researcher interested in philosophically and experimentally...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Join the Gravitation Consortium ESDiT as a PhD ResearcherThe Ethics Institute of Utrecht University's Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies is looking for a researcher to work on a full-time PhD project called 'Reconceptualising Solidarity for Technologically Disrupted Contexts' as part of the inter-university Gravitation consortium Ethics of...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Utrecht University Voltijd

    The Ethics Institute of Utrecht University's Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies seeks a researcher for a four-year, full-time PhD project "Reconceptualising Solidarity for Technologically Disrupted Contexts", as part of the inter-university Gravitation consortium Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technology (ESDiT)Wat ga je doen?This PhD project is...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Utrecht University Voltijd

    The Ethics Institute of Utrecht University's Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies seeks a researcher for a four-year, full-time PhD project "Reconceptualising Solidarity for Technologically Disrupted Contexts", as part of the inter-university Gravitation consortium Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technology (ESDiT)Wat ga je doen?This PhD project is...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Join us for a 3-year, full-time postdoctoral project: Mutual Justification and Disruptive TechnologyThe Ethics Institute of Utrecht University's Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies is looking for a researcher with expertise in normative ethics, metaethics, or methodologies of applied ethics to join a 3-year, full-time postdoctoral project on...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    The Ethics Institute of Utrecht University's Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies seeks a researcher for a four-year, full-time PhD project "_Reconceptualising Solidarity for Technologically Disrupted Contexts_", as part of the inter-university Gravitation consortium _Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technology (ESDiT)_.Your job:Disruptive...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Would you like to conduct research about the social history of the Holocaust in the Netherlands? Then take a look at this vacancy.Are you a researcher with a background in contemporary political or cultural history and interested in new approaches to the social history of the Holocaust in the Netherlands? Join our team Wat ga je doen?While academic...

  • Phd in Ethics

    2 weken geleden


    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    The Ethics Institute of Utrecht University's department of Philosophy and Religious Studies seeks a researcher for a four-year, full-time PhD project "_Disrupting ageing_: Personhood, meaning, and vulnerability across the lifespan_", as part of the inter-university Gravitation consortium _Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technology (ESDiT)_.Your job:The ageing...

  • PhD in Ethics

    2 weken geleden


    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Utrecht University Voltijd

    The Ethics Institute of Utrecht University's department of Philosophy and Religious Studies seeks a researcher for a four-year, full-time PhD project "Disrupting ageing: Personhood, meaning, and vulnerability across the lifespan", as part of the inter-university Gravitation consortium Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technology (ESDiT).Wat ga je doen?The ageing...

  • PhD in Ethics

    4 weken geleden


    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Utrecht University Voltijd

    The Ethics Institute of Utrecht University's department of Philosophy and Religious Studies seeks a researcher for a four-year, full-time PhD project "Disrupting ageing: Personhood, meaning, and vulnerability across the lifespan", as part of the inter-university Gravitation consortium Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technology (ESDiT).Wat ga je doen?The ageing...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Leverage your academic expertise to study how to bring hope into climate change education across Europe.Embark on a transformative journey with the HARP project (Hopeful And Resilience Perspective). As a postdoc researcher, you will spearhead research on innovative climate change education strategies in the Netherlands. Join us in creating a brighter future...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    The Ethics Institute of Utrecht University's Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies seeks a researcher for a 3-year, full-time postdoctoral project "_Mutual Justification and Disruptive Technology_", as part of the inter-university Gravitation consortium _Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technology (ESDiT)_.Your job:We are looking for a philosopher with...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Do you want to join this collaboration between the Departments of Media and Culture, Law, Governance, and Information Science? Apply nowUtrecht University offers a full-time position for a postdoctoral researcher for two years (24 months) in the focus area "Governing the Digital Society" (GDS). This interdisciplinary focus area fosters the collaboration...

  • PhD in Ethics

    2 weken geleden


    Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    In this position you will join the "Disrupting ageing: Personhood, meaning, and vulnerability across the lifespan" project. Something for you? Apply nowThe Ethics Institute of Utrecht University's department of Philosophy and Religious Studies seeks a researcher for a four-year, full-time PhD project "Disrupting ageing: Personhood, meaning, and vulnerability...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Excited about what FAIR Exposome data can bring to better understand ageing with multi-morbidity? This postdoc position within our group might be for youAre you excited about what Exposome research can bring to better understand ageing with multi-morbidity? Would you like to pioneer approaches to making Exposome data FAIR? Then this postdoc position within...


  • Utrecht, Utrecht, Nederland Universiteit Utrecht Voltijd

    Faculteit of dienst: Faculteit Recht, Economie, Bestuur en Organisatie Afdeling: Utrecht University School of Economics Uren per week: 28 tot 40 Uiterlijk reageren op: 29 februari 2024 We are looking for a postdoc with an interest in the fields of marketing, hydrology, and sustainability to join the EU funded ClimEx-PE project (Climate Extremes buffering...