PhD position

General information:

• The Institute of Philosophy at the University of Neuchâtel seeks to appoint two individuals to work on the SNF-project “The Defence First Approach to Responsibility”, led by Simon-Pierre Chevarie-Cossette. The goal of the project is to investigate the nature of defences (justifications, excuses, and exemptions) and to use them to tackle traditional questions of moral responsibility.
• The two positions could be occupied by 2 doctoral students or 2 postdocs, or one of each.
• Note that the language requirements have been changed compared to the previous advertisement.

Starting date:

Any time between 1 June 2024 and 1 September 2024

Duration of the Contract:

3,5 years, extendable to 4.

Place of Employment:

Institute of Philosophy, Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, University of Neuchâtel, Espace Tilo-Frey 1, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Salary:

Year 1: CHF 47'886.60 (3'990.55/month);

Year 2: CHF 49'413 (4'117.80/month);

Year 3/4: CHF 50'940.60 (4'245.05/month).

(As of 2 Feb 2024, 1 CHF ≈ 1,07 Euro ≈ 1,15 $)

Job Description:

• Research/thesis writing under the supervision of Prof. S-P Chevarie-Cossette.
• Teaching & monitoring: less than two hours per week, not necessarily related to the project. Possibility of supervising undergraduate theses.
• Participation in the evaluation and proctoring of exams.
• Active engagement in the day-to-day functioning and development of the Institute of Philosophy: organisation of conferences, promotion of philosophy to prospective students, etc.
• Participation in the weekly research symposium (every Tuesday) as well as other symposia and conferences organised by the Institute of Philosophy.
• Presentations at international conferences.
• Doctoral students should normally spend a term or two as a visiting student in a different institution during their contract.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Philosophy completed at the start date.
• Background in moral philosophy or philosophy of action or philosophy of law or epistemology.
• Curiosity and ability to conduct original research.
• Passion for teaching.
• Strong French OR English, and minimal comprehension of the other language. A transition period for non-native speakers is completely fine, and teaching in both languages will not be required.