Postdoctoral fellowships

Applications are open for two full-time post-doctoral fellowships at the Institute of Philosophy, School of Humanities, University of Iceland. The fellowships are connected to the research project The Consensus Project (ConsensusPro), funded by a grant of excellence from the Icelandic Research Fund (RANNÍS). Each position is fixed-term for 3 years.

Description of the Research Project

The notion of consensus plays important roles in the development and dissemination of science, in laypeople’s understanding of science, and in everyday reasoning about science. For instance, the presence of a consensus on a scientific theory is often taken to indicate that the theory is at least substantially correct, which in turn prompts scientists to rely on the theory in future research and to present it as true in interactions with laypeople. With that said, the history of science shows that even a strong consensus can be mistaken, and that the formation of a consensus may serve to stifle productive scientific debate. This project aims to answer two main questions about consensus-based reasoning within and concerning scientific research:

• In what range of circumstances is consensus-based reasoning epistemically legitimate, and what explains its epistemic legitimacy in those circumstances?
• How can consensus-based reasoning be utilized, so as to promote well-placed trust in scientific results via science communication and progress in scientific research?

The Consensus Project (ConsensusPro) aims to address these overarching research questions in a novel and systematic way by developing a theoretical framework based on methodological triangulation, i.e. the use of different methods to address the same set of questions. These methods include not only standard philosophical methods such as consideration of historical and hypothetical cases, but also formal methods utilizing probability theory and computer simulations. The framework to be developed will partly be inspired by and grounded in recent research into disagreement, especially when it occurs between experts. In particular, ConsensusPro seeks to break new ground by shifting the focus to the opposite of disagreement, viz. consensus, arguing that in various ways the latter is at least as epistemically and socially significant as the former.

More specifically, ConsensusPro has three main project aims:

1. To develop a rigorous epistemological account of the reliability of consensus-based reasoning, and an associated set of practical recommendations for improving consensus-based reasoning in real-life circumstances.
2. Toprovide an epistemological explanation and rationale for why reporting on and communicating a scientific consensus, e.g. in Consensus Reporting, can be a genuinely rational basis for laypeople’s beliefs about scientific results.
3. To develop a rigorous account of the role of consensus in the progress of scientific research, and then extend it to, or contrast it with, an account of progress in non-empirical research, such as in philosophy itself.

The project will be led by principal investigator Finnur Dellsén (University of Iceland & University of Inland Norway) and co-investigators Joey Pollock (University of Oslo), Dunja Seselja (Ruhr University Bochum & TU Eindhoven), and Peter Vickers (Durham University). Furthermore, the project also involves collaborating with an advisory board constituted by Maria Baghramian (University College Dublin), Franz Dietrich (Paris School of Economics & CNRS/CES), Mikkel Gerken (University of Southern Denmark), Stephan Lewandowsky (University of Bristol), Cailin O’Connor (University of California, Irvine), and Miriam Solomon (Temple University).

Main duties and responsibilities
• Conducting research and publishing results
• Presenting research findings at scientific conferences and meetings
• Assisting with the day-to-day operation of the research project
• Collaborating and holding regular meetings with the research team

The post-doctoral fellow will work at the project for the most part at the University of Iceland to facilitate the collaboration of the team. The University will assist with applications of visa permits if needed for non-EU/EEA applicants (EU and EEA citizens do not need a work visa).

Skills/Qualifications

• A doctoral degree completed within 5 years from the beginning of the fellowship in a relevant field of the research project (extensions of eligibility window will be considered for career breaks relating to illnesses, maternity or paternity leaves and other related events).
• Excellent English skills (spoken and written).
• Research background relating to the research focus of the project. In particular, we are looking for individuals with one of the following specializations:
• Social epistemology, preferably a candidate with training or demonstrated interests in formal epistemology, and/or philosophical applications of computer simulations (such as agent-based models).
• Philosophy of science, preferably a candidate with training or demonstrated interests in the social epistemology of science, and/or the history of science, and/or metaphilosophy.

Further information

The expected starting point of the position is September 1, 2026, although the exact date is negotiable.

The application should include: 

• An academic CV
• A brief letter of motivation (up to 400 words). This letter should describe how the applicant meets the qualifications specified in the advertisement and what they believe they can contribute to the position.
• A sample of academic writing (e.g., an article or chapter)
• Certificates of academic degrees
• Contact details (emails and phone numbers) of two or three reference persons 

Following an initial screening, a longlist of applicants will be compiled. Longlisted candidates will receive more detailed information about the Consensus Project and be asked to submit a written description of the research they intend to conduct during the position (i.e., a research statement), including how that research relates to the aims and work packages of the project. After a second round of evaluation of the longlisted candidates and their research statements, a shortlist of applicants will be invited for interview.

For further information please contact Finnur Dellsén, professor of philosophy, [email protected], or Eiríkur Smári Sigurðsson, Director of Research, School of Humanities, [email protected].

All applications will be answered and applicants will be informed about the appointment when a decision has been made. We may request more information to help us assess your application. Applications may be valid for six months.