PhD position at the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences in the Department of Philosophy on ‘Conceptualizing TechnoMoral Change, in relation to Nanotechnology’
Reference number: AT2013.92
The Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences of Maastricht University offers a PhD position in the Department of Philosophy. The project should focus on clarifying how, in what respects, and to what extent morals can be said to change under the influence of technological change. Some case studies have to relate to Nanotechnology.
Maastricht University
Maastricht University is renowned for its problem-based learning (PBL) system based on a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is concentrated in research institutes and schools and is characterized by its multidisciplinary and thematic approach. Maastricht University has around 14,500 students and 3,800 employees. Reflecting the university’s strong international profile, a fair number of both students and staff are from abroad. The university has six faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) has a staff of about 250, and about 1900 students. All programmes are offered in English. Students come from all over the world. FASoS offers two 3-year Bachelor programmes: Arts and Culture, and European Studies, seven different 1-year Master courses and two 2-year research Master programmes. Its Graduate School takes in around 10 PhD students each year. Research is organized around four programmes: ‘Politics and Culture in Europe’; ‘Science, Technology and Society Studies’; Globalisation, Transnationalism and Development and ‘Arts, Media and Culture’. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is housed in several recently renovated 18th-century buildings in the historic city centre of Maastricht.
Graduate School
Our Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences offers the opportunity to pursue a PhD in the interdisciplinary field of arts and social sciences. You receive a coherent program of introductory courses, intensive supervision and frequent discussion with the senior researchers inside and outside the Faculty. The Programme can be characterized by its international and interdisciplinary nature and the emphasis on cultural and societal issues of the modern world.
The School focuses on four themes:
- Politics and Culture in Europe;
- Science, Technology and Society Studies;
- Globalisation, Transnationalism and Development;
- Arts, Media and Culture.
Further information on the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and its Graduate School may be accessed on: http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/fasos
Tasks:
The PhD candidate will participate in a three and a half year research project, funded by NanoNextNL, that ends 31 December 2016. As this is an externally funded project, the freedom of the candidate to define her/his own research project is restricted. S/he will explore previous instances of technomoral change to develop a theory about the underlying mechanisms of such change. This theory will then be used to develop technomoral scenarios about possible/plausible moral impacts of some (bio) nanotechnologies that are currently being developed. The overarching aim of the project is to develop a philosophical/ethical contribution to the theory and practice of Technology Assessment.
Next to research and the preparation of scholarly publications we expect from the candidates an active engagement in the preparation of conferences and workshops.
Requirements:
We seek candidates with strong academic abilities and the ambition to become excellent researchers. You have completed a research master (MA, MSc, MPhil) in Philosophy or an equivalent 2-year degree. Outstanding students with a 1-year regular master can be accepted in exceptional cases when they their profile exactly matches the requirements for this research project.
We are looking for a prospective PhD candidate with a:
- Background in philosophy, particularly ethics, but also with an ability to conduct empirical research and an affinity with Science and Technology Studies;
- Strong analytical capacity;
- Good organisational skills;
- Affinity with work in an interdisciplinary and highly international environment;
- Excellent writing skills in English;
- Knowledge of (or a willingness to learn) Dutch;
- Willingness and proven ability to work in a team;
- Willingness to relocate to (the vicinity of) Maastricht.
The PhD-candidate will be enrolled in one of the Netherlands Graduate Research Schools as well as in the FASoS graduate school, and be supervised by Prof. Tsjalling Swierstra (Maastricht University). The PhD student will be based at Maastricht University.
What we have to offer:
Maastricht University provides an attractive, internationally-oriented academic environment where young people receive an advanced education and scholars conduct first-rate research.
We offer a 3.5 year full-time PhD contract. (The first year will be a probation period, after a positive assessment the position will be extended with another 2.5 years.) You will be employed by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Compensation will be according to standard salary levels for PhD students starting with a salary of € 2062,- with a yearly growth to € 2638,- gross a month (based on a full-time appointment).
Each year the standard salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%. A candidate who does not already live in Maastricht (or its immediate area) is eligible for a relocation allowance. Other secondary conditions include e.g. a pension scheme and partially paid parental leave.
Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may be eligible for a special expense allowance scheme: the 30% facility. The Tax and Customs Administration decides whether employees meet the necessary conditions. You will be provided with shared office space and a PC.
Maastricht University’s Terms of Employment are laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local university provisions apply as well. For more information please see the website: www.maastrichtuniversity.nl / Index and forms / HR from A-Z.
Appointment date: preferably 15 June 2013 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Information
Please consult our website: http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/fasos Any informal inquiries about this job opening may be addressed to Prof. Dr. Tsjalling Swierstra, head of the Department of Philosophy of FASoS: t.swierstra[at]maastrichtuniversity.nl
Interested parties are strongly urged to contact Prof.Swierstra before applying, in order to receive some articles providing the theoretical background of this research project.
Further information on the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences is available at our website, together with more information on the selection procedure:
http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/web/Faculties/FASoS/Theme/ResearchPortal
/GraduateSchool.htm.
Application
Candidates are invited to submit their application that should consist of:
- A letter of motivation stating the candidate’s qualifications and reasons for interest in the position;
- A CV;
- A transcript of grades from: MA education plus a list of marks of both your Bachelor and Master studies;
- A statement of teaching and teaching evaluations (if available);
- The contact information of two references (including e-mail, phone number, mailing address, and relationship to the applicant), and
- One writing sample (published article, work in progress, or a Master thesis chapter).
The deadline for submitting your application is May 20, 2013
Please send your application electronically to the Secretariat of the Faculty Office at: [email protected]
