Assistant Professor of Ethics or Political Philosophy of Technology (EXPIRED)

We are looking for a new colleague specializing in political philosophy and/or ethics, with particular focus on the issues raised by emerging technologies and their implications for society, human well-being, and the planet. As a successful candidate, your research aims to develop the philosophical concepts and normative theories that can help guide appropriate responses to the broad range of transformations associated with AI, digital, and data-driven technologies (including health technologies and robotics). We invite applications from philosophers who address socio-political phenomena (e.g., mass surveillance, political polarization, working conditions, platform economies) as well as those focused on ethical concerns (e.g., algorithmic bias, moral status of AI, automated decision-making, care robots). Suitability for teaching in our PPE programme is welcome.

Qualifications

We are looking for a colleague who:

• has teaching and research expertise in the domain of Ethics or Political Philosophy of Technology;
• holds a completed PhD in Philosophy (or, in exceptional cases, in a closely related field), by the time of appointment;
• has a vision on, and perhaps experience with, ways to link that domain in teaching and/or research with other knowledge domains, based on an articulated teaching and research philosophy (multi-, inter- or transdisciplinarity);
• has an open attitude and is able to switch easily within multidisciplinary and interprofessional teams;
• is interested in team teaching and team science to address social issues.

The candidate appointed to this position will be expected, in due course, to be able to teach in Dutch and English. International candidates will be helped to acquire Dutch language skills in the first two years of their appointment.

Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We therefore welcome staff from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives, regardless of race, skin colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, origin, disability, neurodiversity or age.

About the organization

Within the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, the academic staff of the Ethics Institute pursues research in a wide range of subfields within practical philosophy, including  social, economic, and political philosophy, applied ethics, ethical theory, aesthetics, and moral psychology. Within Utrecht University, the Ethics Institute also plays a key role in addressing a wide range of societal issues and promoting ethical reflection in research, education, and outreach. The Ethics Institute is also one of the key partners in the inter-university consortium on the Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technology. 

More information about this position (and the 8 other Philosophy positions currently being advertised), see FAQ Vacancies in Philosophy - Utrecht University

Offer

We offer a full-time position (1.0 FTE). Upon positive evaluation during the one-year probationary period, the appointment becomes permanent. The allocation is permanently set to 40% research and 60% teaching. Within the 60% for teaching, there is 10% free space that will not be scheduled. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience - ranges between €3,974 and €6,181 (scale 11-12 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year.  In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.