Jobs in Philosophy in Europe

University of Twente,
Enschede,
Netherlands
Post date: June 17, 2022
Postdoc: Ethics of autonomous vehicles, with special attention to ethical analysis of human factors in trust in autonomous vehicle systems
Deadline: July 1, 2022

The Philosophy Section of the University of Twente in the Netherlands is looking for a postdoc (approx. 20-month position) in ethics of autonomous vehicles, with special attention to ethical analysis of human factors in trust in autonomous vehicle, This is part of a large European project on ethics of emerging technologies.

The principal aim of this postdoc will be to develop ethical guidance tools for the assessment of trust in autonomous vehicles, to help engineers, designers, regulators, civil society organizations, and researchers in assessing the trustworthiness of autonomous vehicles, and of different components and elements in autonomous vehicle systems. This will involve, amongst others, the development of a ‘trust relationship tool’ that allows actors to identify trust relationships that exist, or are likely to emerge, between key stakeholders in autonomous vehicle systems. This tool will complement technical assessments of trust in autonomous vehicles by looking at human and social factors in trust.
This postdoc project will also develop a novel approach to the ethical assessment and guidance of autonomous vehicle systems, which will build in part on the above mentioned tools. Autonomous vehicles, and the social-technical systems that support them, must factor in values like privacy, explicability, and human agency in addition to values like human safety, efficiency and so on. The postdoc will draw from an Ethics by Design approach to show how values like privacy, explicability, and human agency can increase the overall trustworthiness of a particular system. In seeking to make an autonomous vehicle system trustworthy, it must take into account a range of different values, and may need to make tradeoffs between these values. The postdoc will work closely with other members on the project to see how technical aspects of trust are being built into the system, and to what this means for developing a system that is worthy of human and social trust.
Additional time will be devoted to project coordination and research dissemination tasks. This will involve writing reports for the project (often together with others), and you will also have some time to work on academic publications.
The CONNECT Project
The CONNECT Project for Continuous and Efficient Cooperative Trust Management for Resilient Cooperative, connected and automated mobility (CCAM) is a prestigious three year project international project funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program. It has a budget of €6 million, and will start in September 2022. It has 17 participating institutions, including the University of Twente. The project is led by the Technikon Forschungs- Und Planungsgesellschaft MBH in Austria.

Your application should include:

a cover letter which explains your interest in the position and your qualifications for it;
a curriculum vitae which includes the name and e-mail address/telephone number for at least two references.
a writing sample (preferably a published article related to the position);
either a summary and table of contents of your dissertation or the entire dissertation.

The application deadline is July 1, 2022. Interviews will be held about one week after this date.

Institute for Logic, Language and Computation, University of Amsterdam,
Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Post date: April 15, 2022
Postdoctoral Researcher in Semantics: Linguistic Interpretation as Abduction (2 years)
Deadline: May 8, 2022

Are you a high potential young researcher with a PhD degree in Logic, Linguistics, Philosophy, Computational Linguistics, or a related discipline, and would you be interested to join us at the Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) in order to investigate Linguistic Interpretation as Abduction? If so, we invite you to apply for this position.

This postdoc position is part of the NWO Open Competition project “A Sentence Uttered Makes a World Appear---Natural Language Interpretation as Abductive Model Generation”. The successful applicant will join the group of Reinhard Muskens. The aim of the project is to explore how semantic values are assigned to natural language expressions in a compositional way and how the resulting values, represented as logical expressions, are enriched by means of abductive reasoning. The latter is studied in a tableaux setting.

You will be expected to fulfill the following tasks:

* Collaborate with the other researchers working on the project (the PI and two further postdocs);

* Assist with the supervision of PhD candidates and MSc students;

* Regularly present research results at international workshops and conferences, and publish them in conference proceedings and journals;

* Participate in and contribute to the organisation of research activities and events at the institute, such as workshops and colloquia;

* While this is primarily a research position, you will have the opportunity to contribute to teaching activities.

Your experience and profile:

* a PhD degree in Logic, Linguistics, Philosophy, Computational Linguistics, or a related discipline;

* a strong background in Logic and Natural Language Semantics, as witnessed by publications in relevant conference proceedings or journals;

* a strong passion for research and the wish to learn new skills through working with or assisting in guiding PhD and MSc students;

* excellent communication skills in English, both oral and written.

In-depth knowledge of one of the following areas is a plus: 1) Resolution calculi and tableau calculi for first-order and higher-order logics, 2) Theories of abductive inference, 3) Belief Revision.

Please note that knowledge of the Dutch language is not required for this position, nor is it required for being able to live in Amsterdam. However, members of staff at the ILLC have the opportunity to attend Dutch language classes if they wish.

Our offer:
We offer a temporary contract for 38 hours a week, starting as soon as possible. You will be given an initial contract for a probation period of one year. On positive evaluation, your contract will be extended for a further year.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between €2,846 to €4,490 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Researcher 4 is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

For further information, see https://vacatures.uva.nl/UvA/job/Postdoctoral-Researcher-in-Semantics-Li...

University of Leeds,
Leeds,
United Kingdom
Post date: April 5, 2022
Lecturer in Applied and Inter-Disciplinary Ethics
Deadline: May 2, 2022

The IDEA Centre, within the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science, is an internationally recognised Centre for inter-disciplinary applied and professional ethics. For this role we seek: an academic with a strong grounding in ethics who is committed to fostering the development of ethical understanding and reasoning skills, both inside and outside academia; someone with experience of University teaching in a range of formats including face to face and online; and, someone who would thrive in a team making a major impact through innovation in ethics learning and teaching, research and consultancy.

You will be drawing on high-quality philosophical and inter-disciplinary research to design and develop excellent inter-disciplinary applied ethics teaching for students both at the University of Leeds and in the University of Leeds Joint School with Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU) in China. Liaising with academics across the University, you will develop and deliver applied and inter-disciplinary ethics teaching across programmes of study in a range of disciplines (for example, engineering, business, and dentistry). You will work with colleagues in IDEA to develop and deliver teaching materials for the Masters programmes and for professional development activities in consultancy and training.

The role involves the development and delivery of high-quality teaching (online and campus-based) both as part of the Centre’s own MA programmes (in Biomedical and Healthcare Ethics and in Applied and Professional Ethics), and in sessions and modules integrated within programmes of study in a range of disciplines across the University. You will have the ability to motivate, challenge and inspire students from a range of discipline, professional and cultural backgrounds. You will have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a wide range of people.

You will also pursue a programme of philosophical research, both individual and, where appropriate collaborative, thereby enhancing the IDEA Centre’s international profile for research excellence in applied and inter-disciplinary ethics. In addition you will actively contribute to the impact of the Centre’s research through your part in our professional ethics consultancy.

University of Twente,
Enschede,
Netherlands
Post date: April 4, 2022
Assistant professor in philosophy of health and technology
Deadline: May 9, 2022

We seek a philosopher working in an area of health for an assistant professor position in the Philosophy Section at the University of Twente. The section offers a stimulating and collaborative departmental, faculty and international environment. As our new member you will publish in international refereed journals, present at conferences, apply for external funding and engage in international outreach activities.

For this position you should have an established line of research in a philosophical field related to health and health care (particularly bioethics, philosophy of medicine, health-related philosophy of science or philosophical anthropology). We expect you to develop these lines of research. You will also teach courses within your specialization area in the master programme in Philosophy of Science, Technology and Society (PSTS), as well as introductory courses in different areas of philosophy for bachelor and master programs in engineering and social science. Our members engage in supervision of master's theses in the PSTS programme and at some point supervise PhD students.

Additionally you will be expected to build research links with members of the Health Technologies and Services Research (HTSR) section at the university. We would like you to demonstrate potential strategies for engaging with health sciences research, on conceptual, methodological and ethical issues of relevance to researchers in the HTSR section. One area of particular engagement is patient empowerment. HTSR has a specific research interest in patient empowerment, which is a relatively new concept in health care. Its implementation requires careful investigation of the shifting roles of patients and citizens in research and clinical decision making, which takes into account different perspectives. Research could explore, through qualitative investigations for instance (e.g., focus-groups, interviews etc), how different stakeholders understand empowerment, what measures might contribute to it, and what the risks and harms are when considering empowerment to be a main goal of healthcare. We are open to considering any potential plans or proposals for engagement with health science researchers on different topics.

Offer:
You are appointed as assistant professor (full-time) for an initial period of one year, with 40% research time and 60% teaching and administration. After the one-year period, you are eligible for a permanent appointment. Salary is competitive. Initial assistant professor salary is between €3.821,- and €5.943,- per month, depending on experience. On top of the annual salary you receive 8% vacation bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. Non-European Union candidates usually qualify for a low 30% tax rate for their first five years of appointment.
Preferred starting date is August 1st - negotiable. The University of Twente has excellent terms of employment.

Your profile:
• A PhD in philosophy related to health and technology (particularly bioethics, philosophy of medicine, health-related philosophy of science or philosophical anthropology);
• Experience with collaborating across disciplinary boundaries;
• An interest in working directly with health scientists;
• An excellent publication track record in peer-reviewed international journals;
• An established teaching line in philosophy. The position will be 50%:50% teaching/research with staff expected to teach philosophy courses;
• Possession of a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ);
• Proficient in English (C2 level). Dutch is an advantage or willingness to acquire within a short time frame (for research purposes).
Perhaps you are the candidate we are looking for!

Information and application:
You are encouraged to discuss your ideas about this position with dr. Miles MacLeod of the Philosophy section: m [dot] a [dot] j [dot] macleod [__at__] utwente [dot] nl
You can submit your application, including a recent CV and your vision statement on teaching and research, along with the names of two referees no later than the 9th of May. Applications should be uploaded to https://utwentecareers.nl/en/vacancies/523/assistant-professor-philosoph...

About the department:
Both the Philosophy section and HTSR are part of the Technology, Policy and Society (TPS) cluster at the Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences, a growing multidisciplinary research group exploring and assessing how emerging innovations affect our societies, institutions and daily lives, and vice versa. The contributing departments collaborate to craft responsible and sustainable solutions for challenges in healthcare and other fields.. The Philosophy section itself has over 30 members (faculty, postdocs, PhD candidates). It is a thoroughly international group, with English as the main language. It specializes in its research in the philosophical and ethical study of technology and its impact on people, society, and the environment. (https://www.utwente.nl/en/bms/wijsb/).

About the Faculty:
The Faculty of Behavioral, Management and Social sciences (BMS) aims to play a key role in understanding, jointly developing and evaluating innovations in society. Technological developments are the engine of innovation. As a technical university that puts people first, we tailor them to human needs and behavior and use social engineering to integrate them into society. We also ensure adequate governance at public and private level, and robust, inclusive and fair organizational structures. We do this by developing, sharing and applying high-quality knowledge in Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communication Sciences, Philosophy, Educational Sciences and Health Sciences. Our research and education in these disciplines revolves around tackling and solving societal challenges. The research programs of BMS are closely linked to the research of the UT institutes Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.
As an employer, the Faculty of BMS offers work that matters. We equip you to create new possibilities for yourself and for our society. With us, you will become part of a leading technical university with increasing, positive social impact. We offer an open, inclusive and entrepreneurial atmosphere, in which we encourage you to make healthy choices, for example through our flexible, adaptable benefits.

University of Oldenburg,
Oldenburg,
Germany
Post date: March 11, 2022
Junior Professorship in History of Philosophy
Deadline: April 15, 2022

The Institute of Philosophy at the University of Oldenburg (School of Humanities and Social Sciences) seeks applications for a

Junior Professorship in History of Philosophy
salary scale W1 without tenure track (m/f/x)

The professorship is to be filled as soon as possible. Pending fulfilment of the applicable employment laws, the fixed-term contract granting temporary civil servant status will initially be limited to a period of three years and may be extended by a further three years, subject to a positive evaluation.

The core task of the professorship is research and teaching in history of philosophy with a focus on German Idealism including Kant and his preconditions and consequences. Outstanding knowledge in the given topic is required. Moreover, an above-average scientific university degree and outstanding PhD are required, with at least one of these degrees having been obtained in philosophy. Scientific excellence has to be demonstrated, inter alia, by publications in inter- national peer-reviewed journals. Relevant university teaching experience and experience in the acquisition of third-party funds are desired.

The successful candidate has to teach in the BA, MA and MEd courses of study in Philosophy as well as Values and Norms, the latter being a school subject in Lower Saxony. Furthermore, the successful candidate is to contribute to the further development of the BA, MA and MEd courses of study. As the University of Oldenburg and the University of Bremen are bound by a cooperation agreement, active participation in the cooperation is expected.

Prerequisites for employment are specified in section 30 of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (NHG). The University aims to increase its proportion of female professors and strongly encourages female scientists to apply. Equally qualified female candidates will be considered preferentially. In case of equal aptitude, applicants with disabilities will be given priority in hiring decisions. The position is suit- able for part-time employment.

Applications include a full curriculum vitae, certificates, lists of publications, lectures and courses, an account of present and previous third-party funded research activities, research and teaching concepts and a selection of publications as well as profile sheet and sheet for querying examination/supervision phases at the following link: https://uol.de/fk4/formulare. The selection of publications should include a monograph and three articles. Preferably, applications are to be submitted in electronic version (PDF) by 15 April 2022 to Universität Oldenburg, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, attn: Dean Prof. Dr. Dagmar Freist, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany or bewerbungen-fk4 [__at__] uni-oldenburg [dot] de.

University of Witten/ Herdecke,
Witten ,
Germany
Post date: January 13, 2022
Professorship in Practical Philosophy (f/m/d) (equivalent to W3 pay scale) Main focus: „Global Justice“
Deadline: March 11, 2022

Witten/Herdecke University, Germany
Deadline: 11 March 2022

The Faculty of Management, Economics and Society currently invites applications for the position of a

Professorship in Practical Philosophy (f/m/d) (equivalent to W3 pay scale) to be filled at the earliest possible date and for an initial term of five years.

The professorship will be set up within the Department of Philosophy, Politics & Economics. The department seeks faculty with demonstrated capacity for research, teaching, and outreach at the highest levels in their discipline. In teaching and research, the PPE Department aims to enable students to understand, explain, and responsibly shape transformative processes in the economy, politics, and society of a globalised world.
Your tasks

Research
To complement the department’s scientific perspectives and methodological spectrum, we are looking for a promising candidate with a background in Practical Philosophy and a specialisation in Global Justice, and/or Ethics and Economics (incl. normative aspects of philosophy of economics), and/or Data Ethics. Applicants must demonstrate a track record of excellent research by outstanding and also internationally visible publications. A habilitation ("second book") or proof of adequate habilitation-equivalent achievements is required. Experience with the successful acquisition and implementation of competitive third-party-funded projects is expected. The candidate should have very good international contacts and regularly participate in international research networks. In addition, the applicant should also demonstrate connectivity in research and teaching to the other research fields of the department. Applications are sought from eminent candidates, who can enhance the department’s societal impact in transformative teaching and research. The willingness to cooperate on an inter- and transdisciplinary basis is expected.

Teaching
To enable students to reach their full potential, the Faculty’s teaching is done in interactive seminars and small class sizes. We expect candidates to offer modules in their area of expertise at the undergraduate and graduate level. We specifically seek candidates who promote innovative high-quality and didactically high-level teaching and learning methods that foster students’ sense of personal responsibility. Furthermore, candidates are required to teach classes in German and in English. In the case of non-native speakers, the willingness and ability to teach in German is expected three years after appointment (the University provides support for this endeavour).
Qualifications

In addition to the general requirements in accordance with § 36 of the NRW Higher Education Act, successful candidates have to furnish proof of teaching aptitude, exceptional competence in academic work, and further academic achievements, in general by holding a junior or assistant professorship, a postdoctoral university lecturing qualification (Habilitation) or by proving an equivalent academic achievement.

In teaching, experience with and promotion of innovative teaching and learning methods fostering students’ personal responsibility are explicitly welcome.
We offer

A stimulating and uniquely inspiring working environment for inter- and transdisciplinary research at the international level
The chance to teach small seminar groups of international students in our innovative Bachelor's and English-language Master's programms in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics
Reconciliation of work and family life (flexible working hours)
30 days of annual leave and extra days off (additional time off: from 24 to 31 December, plus three extra days/long weekends)
Occupational pension scheme and disability insurance
Extensive training programms
Promotion of environmentally friendly means of transport (bicycle leasing, electric car rental)
Discounted local public transport ticket
Wide variety of culinary offerings available at our Cafeteria at reduced rates
Various sports activities available for staff

Contact

Please submit your application including appropriate documents (CV, outlining education and academic career, list of publications and taught courses, experience obtaining external funding, copies of all diplomas and certificates) as well as an outline explaining how your research and teaching shall contribute to and shape the profile of the Department of Philosophy, Politics & Economics at Witten/Herdecke University (4 pages maximum) online by March, 11th 2022

Online application: https://short.sg/j/14214289

For any questions you may have, please do not hesitate to contact the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Erik Strauß (erik [dot] strauss [__at__] uni-wh [dot] de).

Witten/Herdecke University explicitly fosters a culture of diversity and inclusion (www.uni-wh.de/diversity). We are committed to create a diverse environment across campus, and value the competence and special skills our members contribute, e.g., due to their age or physical abilities. We proactively strive to increase the share of women in our scientific and academic staff.

TU Eindhoven,
Eindhoven,
Netherlands
Post date: January 6, 2022
Postdoc: Analysis of practical ethics in technology
Deadline: January 16, 2022

PostDoc in the "Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies" (ESDiT) programme (10Y, €27M). Supervising professors: Wijnand I. Jsselsteijn & Vincent C. Müller.

As part of the inter-university research consortium, "Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies (ESDiT)" the Human-Technology Interaction group of Eindhoven University of Technology is looking to hire a postdoc for a three-year project on “A qualitative investigation of STEM perspectives on relevant ethical knowledge, concerns, and practices associated with socially disruptive technologies.”

The aim of this postdoc project is to perform a multi-method empirical investigation and philosophical analysis of the ethical practices and mechanisms (e.g., safeguards, guidelines) employed by current scientific thought leaders in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields, CEOs, entrepreneurs and technical experts in relevant high-tech/biotech industries in order to create ethical awareness, assess ethical drivers and barriers, and raise ethical concerns. This includes the current form of ethical knowledge within high-tech environments, the role that ethical considerations play in pursuing, altering or discontinuing certain technological pursuits, and the extent to which ethical notions, considerations and practices are impacting current and future technology R&D, including the societal introduction and use of high-tech products and services. There will be a special emphasis on the extent to which currently used ethical concepts, methods and recommendations connect well with the practices in STEM industry and policy regarding the disruptive or transformative potential and actual effects of technology.

The postdoc will pursue independent research that engages these topics in a way that supports key research goals of the ESDiT consortium. This will involve cooperation with STEM representatives from inside and outside the ESDiT consortium, as well as cooperation with the other concurrent postdoc projects in the consortium, which are devoted to (1) distinguishing characteristics of socially disruptive technologies, (2) the nature of ethical conceptual change, and (3) methods of practical philosophy of emerging technologies.

University of Oslo,
Oslo,
Norway
Post date: December 4, 2021
Postdoctoral Research Fellows
Deadline: January 7, 2022

Job description
Two Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (SKO 1352) are available at the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas, University of Oslo.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is funded by the Research Council of Norway and is associated with the project The Kantian Foundations of Democracy, 324272 - FORSKER21. The candidate is expected to present a research project closely connected to the main project.

Kantian Foundations of Democracy aims to provide the first large-scale analysis of the theory of democracy of the neglected "Kantian School". These were philosophers active in Germany in the 1790s, and included Erhard, Maimon, Heydenreich, Bergk, Reinhold, Tieftrunk, Feuerbach, Jakob, Reimarus, Schlegel, and the early Fichte. Their theories are notable for bringing out fully the Kantian concepts of right, equality, autonomy, and popular sovereignty; for their sophisticated analysis of enlightenment in the public sphere, and their support for popular revolutionary movements. The aim is not just to gain new historical knowledge, but to contribute to improving our understanding of Kant's basic principles, as well as those of democracy more broadly.

More about the position
The successful candidate will examine either Kantian principles of right and their connection to political rights (Task 1), Kantian principles of popular sovereignty (Task 2), or Kantian views of reform and popular revolution (Task 3). Projects may engage with all four crosscutting questions of Kantian Foundations of Democracy (please see project description). Projects may focus more narrowly on one or two of the Kantians, but comparisons to other Kantians and Kant should be included.

The research will apply methodology from the fields of philosophy, political theory, legal theory, and intellectual history. An interdisciplinary background in the above-mentioned fields is an advantage. The successful candidate is expected to produce three peer-reviewed articles or a monograph during the two-year period.

The position is available for a period of 2 years.

The candidate is expected to develop a project description, which must be submitted as a part of the application.

The successful candidates are expected to be based in Oslo during the project period, starting 1 April 2022. They will actively collaborate with the project’s team, and participate in the Practical Philosophy Group and other relevant departmental activities.

The main purpose of postdoctoral research fellowships is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

Requirements
PhD or equivalent academic qualifications with a specialization in philosophy, political theory, legal theory, intellectual history, or other areas if relevant for the project
The candidate's research project must be closely connected to Kantian Foundations of Democracy
Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
German language skills sufficient for analysing philosophical literature
Personal suitability and motivation for the position
The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.

In the evaluation of the applications, emphasis will be placed on:

The research project’s scientific merit and novelty, and its relevance for Kantian Foundations of Democracy
The applicant’s estimated academic and personal ability to carry out the project within the allotted time frame and to contribute to Kantian Foundations of Democracy
Good co-operative skills, and the ability to successfully join in academic collaboration within and across disciplines

University of Oslo,
Oslo,
Norway
Post date: December 4, 2021
Postdoctoral Research Fellows
Deadline: January 7, 2022

Job description
Two Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (SKO 1352) are available at the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas, University of Oslo.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is funded by the Research Council of Norway and is associated with the project The Kantian Foundations of Democracy, 324272 - FORSKER21. The candidate is expected to present a research project closely connected to the main project.

Kantian Foundations of Democracy aims to provide the first large-scale analysis of the theory of democracy of the neglected "Kantian School". These were philosophers active in Germany in the 1790s, and included Erhard, Maimon, Heydenreich, Bergk, Reinhold, Tieftrunk, Feuerbach, Jakob, Reimarus, Schlegel, and the early Fichte. Their theories are notable for bringing out fully the Kantian concepts of right, equality, autonomy, and popular sovereignty; for their sophisticated analysis of enlightenment in the public sphere, and their support for popular revolutionary movements. The aim is not just to gain new historical knowledge, but to contribute to improving our understanding of Kant's basic principles, as well as those of democracy more broadly.

More about the position
The successful candidate will examine either Kantian principles of right and their connection to political rights (Task 1), Kantian principles of popular sovereignty (Task 2), or Kantian views of reform and popular revolution (Task 3). Projects may engage with all four crosscutting questions of Kantian Foundations of Democracy (please see project description). Projects may focus more narrowly on one or two of the Kantians, but comparisons to other Kantians and Kant should be included.

The research will apply methodology from the fields of philosophy, political theory, legal theory, and intellectual history. An interdisciplinary background in the above-mentioned fields is an advantage. The successful candidate is expected to produce three peer-reviewed articles or a monograph during the two-year period.

The position is available for a period of 2 years.

The candidate is expected to develop a project description, which must be submitted as a part of the application.

The successful candidates are expected to be based in Oslo during the project period, starting 1 April 2022. They will actively collaborate with the project’s team, and participate in the Practical Philosophy Group and other relevant departmental activities.

The main purpose of postdoctoral research fellowships is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

Requirements
PhD or equivalent academic qualifications with a specialization in philosophy, political theory, legal theory, intellectual history, or other areas if relevant for the project
The candidate's research project must be closely connected to Kantian Foundations of Democracy
Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
German language skills sufficient for analysing philosophical literature
Personal suitability and motivation for the position
The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.

In the evaluation of the applications, emphasis will be placed on:

The research project’s scientific merit and novelty, and its relevance for Kantian Foundations of Democracy
The applicant’s estimated academic and personal ability to carry out the project within the allotted time frame and to contribute to Kantian Foundations of Democracy
Good co-operative skills, and the ability to successfully join in academic collaboration within and across disciplines

University of Oslo,
Oslo,
Norway
Post date: December 4, 2021
Postdoctoral Research Fellows
Deadline: January 7, 2022

Job description
Two Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (SKO 1352) are available at the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas, University of Oslo.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is funded by the Research Council of Norway and is associated with the project The Kantian Foundations of Democracy, 324272 - FORSKER21. The candidate is expected to present a research project closely connected to the main project.

Kantian Foundations of Democracy aims to provide the first large-scale analysis of the theory of democracy of the neglected "Kantian School". These were philosophers active in Germany in the 1790s, and included Erhard, Maimon, Heydenreich, Bergk, Reinhold, Tieftrunk, Feuerbach, Jakob, Reimarus, Schlegel, and the early Fichte. Their theories are notable for bringing out fully the Kantian concepts of right, equality, autonomy, and popular sovereignty; for their sophisticated analysis of enlightenment in the public sphere, and their support for popular revolutionary movements. The aim is not just to gain new historical knowledge, but to contribute to improving our understanding of Kant's basic principles, as well as those of democracy more broadly.

More about the position
The successful candidate will examine either Kantian principles of right and their connection to political rights (Task 1), Kantian principles of popular sovereignty (Task 2), or Kantian views of reform and popular revolution (Task 3). Projects may engage with all four crosscutting questions of Kantian Foundations of Democracy (please see project description). Projects may focus more narrowly on one or two of the Kantians, but comparisons to other Kantians and Kant should be included.

The research will apply methodology from the fields of philosophy, political theory, legal theory, and intellectual history. An interdisciplinary background in the above-mentioned fields is an advantage. The successful candidate is expected to produce three peer-reviewed articles or a monograph during the two-year period.

The position is available for a period of 2 years.

The candidate is expected to develop a project description, which must be submitted as a part of the application.

The successful candidates are expected to be based in Oslo during the project period, starting 1 April 2022. They will actively collaborate with the project’s team, and participate in the Practical Philosophy Group and other relevant departmental activities.

The main purpose of postdoctoral research fellowships is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines.

Requirements
PhD or equivalent academic qualifications with a specialization in philosophy, political theory, legal theory, intellectual history, or other areas if relevant for the project
The candidate's research project must be closely connected to Kantian Foundations of Democracy
Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
German language skills sufficient for analysing philosophical literature
Personal suitability and motivation for the position
The doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved.

In the evaluation of the applications, emphasis will be placed on:

The research project’s scientific merit and novelty, and its relevance for Kantian Foundations of Democracy
The applicant’s estimated academic and personal ability to carry out the project within the allotted time frame and to contribute to Kantian Foundations of Democracy
Good co-operative skills, and the ability to successfully join in academic collaboration within and across disciplines