"Knowledge in Crisis" Postdoc in Ethics/Political Philosophy/Metaethics (EXPIRED)

The advertised positions are based at the Faculty of Philosophy and Education at the University of Vienna, as part of the recently awarded FWF Cluster of Excellence research project, Knowledge in Crisis.

The Cluster investigates the current crisis of knowledge. Our claims to knowledge are being threatened by rapid and spectacular developments in technology, and by attacks on the very ideas of knowledge and truth themselves. The aim of the Cluster is to advance our understanding of this crisis. It will explore fundamental philosophical questions about the nature of knowledge and investigate various challenges to scientific and other knowledge. In this pursuit it brings together philosophers working on metaphysics, ethics, political and social philosophy, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, and epistemology to jointly investigate the many facets of the crisis.

The Cluster is a collaboration between four institutions (CEU and the universities of Vienna, Graz and Salzburg). The Cluster will eventually involve over 45 researchers across the four participating institutions. You can find out more about the project on the document linked below. 

Note that there are a total of 6 postdocs advertised. For the other ads, see here: 

Metaphysics/Philosophy of Language/Philosophy of Mind: https://philjobs.org/job/show/23918

Epistemology/Philosophy of Science/Philosophy of Technology: https://philjobs.org/job/show/23898

The main duties are: 

• To conduct independent research in Ethics or Political Philosophy or Metaethics in the context of the project and disseminate it through publications in international peer-reviewed academic journals
• To actively participate in the regular meetings and events of the Cluster
• To contribute to Cluster activities by organising Cluster events (e.g. workshops, seminars, talks, summer schools).
• To participate in outreach activities of the Cluster and contribute to events aimed at the general public
• To help with organizational tasks that are part of the self-administration of the university

We expect:

• a PhD in philosophy (the PhD should be completed by the application deadline)
• a record of producing high-quality research in Ethics or Political Philosophy or Metaethics as evidenced by publications (commensurate with the applicant’s career stage)
• excellent written and spoken English
• the ability to work both independently and as part of a team 
• willingness to take on a formative role in fostering a community across the Cluster
• organisational skills

Please specifiy in the subject line of your email which position you are applying for.

While there are no teaching duties associated with these positions there will be opportunities to teach courses in the department (for extra pay). Willingness to take on some teaching obligations is desirable. Courses can be taught in English.  

These are four-year positions with a gross monthly salary of around 4300 Euros. In Austria 14 monthly salaries are paid out in a year. (Net salaries can be calculated on this page: onlinerechner.haude.at/BMF-Brutto-Netto-Rechner/.) 

Funding is available for conference trips and stays abroad. The contracts are initially for two years and will be extended by another two years after successful completion of the first two years.

Applications should contain the following documents (in pdf-format) and should be sent by 15.09.2023 to Julia Rieser, who is the administrative assistant on this project, on [email protected].

1. a cover letter.
2. a CV, containing at least the following rubrics: academic qualifications, areas of expertise and competence, publications, presentations, admin/organizational experience, career breaks (if any).
3. a research proposal, of no more than three pages length.
4. two article-length writing samples.
5. degree certificates and academic transcripts.
6. three confidential letters of recommendation, which should be sent directly to [email protected]

Selection Process: We expect to shortlist candidates for interview by early October and hold online interviews in the second half of October 2023.

IMPORTANT. If your application is successful and you accept a position at the University of Vienna, you will need to move to Vienna before you can start the employment. You will need to submit degree certificates and transcripts that have the required legalization. Degree certificates or transcripts that are not in German or English must be translated into one of these two languages. The translation must be done by a court sworn translator after the documents have been legalized.

Any questions can be directed to administrative assistant Julia Rieser on [email protected].