Assistant Professor of Political Philosophy or Ethics, with expertise in Philosophy of Technology (tenure track)

 Digitalisation is giving rise to a range of ethical and philosophical challenges: from algorithmic discrimination to the automation of work and the growing power of platforms. To solve these challenges, we need critical thinkers with expertise in the field of philosophy of technology and digitalisation. As assistant professor, you can fully focus on high-quality teaching and research in a multidisciplinary environment on our central, green campus.

The Department of Philosophical Ethics and Political Philosophy seeks to strengthen its teaching and research expertise in the philosophy of technology and digitalisation. Digitalisation is giving rise to a range of ethical and philosophical challenges: from algorithmic discrimination to the automation of work and the growing power of platforms. We are therefore looking for two Assistant Professors of Political Philosophy and/or Ethics with a research focus in the philosophy of technology and digitalisation, who, together with their colleagues at the department and beyond, will focus on these contemporary challenges, both in teaching and research. One of the two positions will be embedded in the faculty's 'sector plan', under the theme 'Humane AI'.

The Dutch government has decided to structurally invest in academic research by means of three 'sector plans'. These investments make it possible for us, the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies of Radboud University, to attract new researchers, create a future-proof range of educational opportunities, and strengthen the strategic cooperation between institutions, specifically in the sector of the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH, website in Dutch). The research themes are: (i) humane AI, (ii) cultural and religious heritage and (iii) migrant inclusion and wellbeing.

You will teach courses in ethics and/or political philosophy as well as in the philosophy of technology and digitalisation, for example in the international BA programme 'Philosophy, Politics and Society', and you will supervise BA and MA theses in philosophy. In your research, alongside other themes of ethics and/or political philosophy, the philosophy of technology and digitalisation plays an important role (and so may related subfields such as the ethics of technology, critical data studies, and science and technology studies),. You will collaborate with colleagues in and outside the department, for example at iHub, Radboud University's internationally renowned interdisciplinary research centre, to study the impacts of digitalisation on society. You will play an active role in departmental activities and in the new Radboud Center for Philosophy and Society, organising research meetings and participating in grant applications and performing other administrative tasks.

The position will consist of 50% teaching, 45% research and 5% administration.

Profile

• You hold a PhD in ethics and/or political philosophy and have a demonstrated research focus in the philosophy of technology and digitalisation or a related subfield.
• You should have a broad background in ethics and/or political philosophy with a passion for teaching that will enable you to teach a variety of courses offered by the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies, including service courses offered to other faculties.
• You are an inspiring teacher, preferably with experience at both BA and MA level.
• You are a team player and take academic citizenship seriously.
• You are proficient in Dutch (C2 level) and English (C1 level) or are willing to achieve these levels.
• You are preferably in possession of the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) or are willing to obtain it within two years.

We are

The Department of Philosophical Ethics and Political Philosophy is part of the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies at Radboud University. The faculty is a compact and ambitious organisation. It has eight departments, 160 staff, and over 1,000 students. Our educational programme includes high-quality courses in both in-depth disciplinary fields of study and interdisciplinary and interfaculty studies. The faculty has innovative education and research programmes with a strong focus on current social issues. The Department makes an essential contribution to the Faculty's teaching and is also very active in service teaching at other faculties of Radboud University. Our research is conducted at the newly opened Radboud Center for Philosophy and Society (RCPS). The RCPS positions itself at the intersection of philosophy and society. It draws on multiple philosophical traditions within ethics and political philosophy, as well as other disciplines, to address societal challenges. Research lines include democracy and contestation, the ethics and politics of digitalisation, integrity and healthcare, critical philosophy of race, and environmental ethics. 

The Department works very closely with iHub, Radboud University's interdisciplinary hub for digitalisation and society. iHub brings together researchers from various disciplines, including philosophy, computer science, law, science and technology studies, history, anthropology, organisational studies and linguistics, who focus on the promotion of public values in digital society. iHub's research areas include AI and inclusive societies, the 'Googlisation of health' and other sphere transgressions, privacy and human rights, online manipulation and the future of work. iHub also includes a lab for the development of value-driven prototypes.

Our faculty is committed to equal opportunities for all. We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity contributes to the quality of teaching and research. We therefore particularly welcome employees from different backgrounds, whose perspectives and alternative ways of thinking may contribute to the diversity of our faculty.

Radboud University

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 24,000 students and 5,600 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!

We offer

• It concerns an employment for 1.0 FTE.
• The gross monthly salary amounts to a minimum of €3,974 and a maximum of €5,439 based on a 38-hour working week, depending on previous education and number of years of relevant work experience (salary scale 11). A career track and growth to salary scale 12 is possible.
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• It concerns a temporary employment for 1.5 year, with the prospect of a permanent position after positive evaluation.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 29 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Would you like more information?

For questions about the position, please contact Tamar Sharon, Full Professor at tamar.sharon@ru.nl.

Practical information and applying

You can apply until 15 September 2022, exclusively using the button below. Kindly address your application to Tamar Sharon. Please fill in the application form and attach the following documents:

• A letter of motivation.
• Your CV, with a publication list and the names and contact details of at least two referees.
• A research statement (one page max.).
• A teaching statement (one page max.).
• Two publications relevant to this position.

The first round of interviews will take place on Friday 7 October. You would preferably begin employment on 1 November 2022.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It offers a rough outline of what you can expect during the application process, how we handle your personal data and how we deal with internal and external candidates.

Apply now Application deadline 15 September 2022