Research Fellow (EXPIRED)

Classification: Academic Level B
Salary package: $94,287 to $107,381 per annum plus 17% superannuation

Fixed Term: 12 months initially with possible extension. Start date after 1 August 2017

• AOS: Ethics or decision theory
• AOC: Decision theory or ethics

AOS: Ethics or decision theory
AOC: Decision theory or ethics

Position overview

The School of Philosophy at the ANU has been awarded a major grant by the Australian Research Council, on the topic of Ethics and Risk. The project team is Seth Lazar (ANU), Katie Steele (ANU), Alan Hájek (ANU), Frank Jackson (ANU), Philip Pettit (ANU/Princeton), and Lara Buchak (Berkeley). We are seeking to appoint an outstanding research fellow, whose work would advance the core aims of the project.

The primary selection criteria are world-class research excellence, and a combined expertise in the fields (broadly construed) of ethics and decision theory. We are also interested in philosophers with the potential to create links outside of philosophy, both to other disciplines, and beyond academia.

The research fellow will write influential papers, to be published in major journals, on the central themes of the project (see the position description). S/he will actively participate in the research life of the School, attending the seminar in moral, social and political theory, and the general departmental seminar, taking a turn convening one of those seminars. S/he will also be available to teach one undergraduate or graduate course per year. And s/he will be entrepreneurial, able to create links within and beyond philosophy.

Project

Our research project has two modules. The first focuses on 'moral decision theory': identifying the right moral principles to govern decision-making under risk and uncertainty. The second focuses on the objective moral significance of risks. This postdoctoral research associate will contribute to the first module. The kinds of topics for which we are recruiting include, but are not limited to:

Internal critique of orthodox rational decision theory
Moral critique of rational decision theory
Arguments for incorporating moral decision-making within rational decision theory
Moral uncertainty
Moral analysis of risk- and ambiguity-aversion
Non-orthodox decision theories
Addressing central problems in normative ethics in the context of risk and uncertainty
Moral decision-making without defined probabilities
Moral decision theory and vagueness
Moral decision theory for nonconsequentialists
Moral decision theory for virtue ethics
Identified and statistical lives

Role Statement

Specific duties include:
• the conduct of research in ethics and/or decision theory leading to publications with leading journals and presses;
• active participation in the research life of the department, including (but not limited to) afternoon teas and the weekly departmental seminar;
• taking an active role in the Centre for Moral, Social and Political Theory, inviting international visitors to the ANU, organising workshops, and undertaking other related activities;
• exploring avenues for bringing the results of philosophical research to a broader audience, beyond philosophy, and beyond the university;
• limited teaching activities, not more than one undergraduate or graduate course per year.
• carrying out administrative functions appropriate to role;
• contributions to HDR supervision;
• attendance at departmental and/or faculty meetings and/or membership of a number of committees; and
• other duties as allocated by the supervisor or the Vice-Chancellor consistent with the classification of the position.

Background

The School of Philosophy, Research School of Social Sciences, is a world-leading department that combines several of the world's most cited living philosophers with dynamic mid-career researchers, and award-winning early career researchers. Our principal strengths are in philosophy of science (especially philosophy of biology, probability, and decision theory), moral and political philosophy, and philosophy of mind, with a growing concentration in Asian Philosophy. We have a proud reputation of repeatedly winning significant support for both individual- and team-projects from the Australian Research Council, and every year welcome scores of international visitors to Canberra, hosting multiple annual workshops in all our major areas of research strength, as well as a vibrant series of three weekly research seminars. We have a continuing flow of postdoctoral researchers, all of whom go on to continuing positions at leading departments worldwide. We have two major research Centres—the Centre for Consciousness, and the Centre for Moral, Social and Political Theory—and plan to launch a Centre for Philosophy of Science in 2017. These centres coordinate our work in our areas of research strength, hosting multiple workshops and more postdocs.

The ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) is the largest single College of seven Colleges at ANU. The College, which is structured into two main research schools, offers degrees in more than 20 discipline areas and excels in research across the creative arts, humanities and social sciences. The College has a substantial international research presence and is a major source of national policy advice. Our academic staff are internationally recognised for their research, and 46 are members of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, the Academy of the Social Sciences of Australia, or both We also host 13 Australian Research Council Future Fellows and two ARC Laureates. A hub of vibrant activity, we host more than 100 lectures, concerts and exhibitions each year, most of which are open to the public. Our students, staff and graduates come from more than 60 nations, bringing a diversity of perspective to campus life.

Canberra is one of the world's finest places to live, with an unparalleled combination of urban comfort and access to some of the most beautiful countryside in the world (including some of the world's best, and quietest, beaches). To see more, look here: http://www.sethlazar.org/Australasia/Australian-Scenes/

Enquiries: Associate Professor Seth Lazar, Head of School, Philosophy T:02 6125 8995 E: [email protected]

The University actively encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For more information on employment opportunities, contact our Indigenous Employment Consultant on [email protected]

The School of Philosophy particularly encourages applications from women and other groups underrepresented in the discipline. ANU values diversity and inclusion and believes employment opportunities must not be limited by socio-economic background, race, religion or gender. For more information about staff equity at ANU, visit https://services.anu.edu.au/human-resources/respect-inclusion.