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Job Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences - PhD position History and Sociology of Moral Psychology (1,0 fte)

PhD position History and Sociology of Moral Psychology (1,0 fte)

Job description

There is a steady surge in research on the role of emotion in moral psychology since the 1980s and in neuroscience since the early 2000s. The Volkswagen Foundation (Hanover, Germany) and the three collaborating universities of Cologne, Groningen and Oxford have established the research project 'Intuition and Emotion in Moral Decision Making: Empirical Research and Normative Implications' for a period of three years (Groningen: four years). Within this project, international experts in philosophy and psychology collaborate to address central questions about moral psychology.

The group based at the Department of Theory and History of Psychology (Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen) is now seeking a PhD student to investigate some of them: (1) Why and how did the transition to understanding moral judgment as based in emotion and intuition occur? This investigation will provide an important contribution to the history of psychology concerning a topic on which remarkably little has been published hitherto. (2) How are interpretations of moral judgment in terms of emotion and intuition currently being applied in normative contexts? This topic is particularly relevant since contemporary findings of moral psychology are influencing normative discourse in law, moral philosophy and politics. Respective examples include debates about when a person should be held legally responsible, what constitutes a sound moral judgment and how political persuasion should be carried out.

The PhD student will start out with a detailed literature investigation of past and present moral-psychological research and the related normative discourse. The close collaboration with philosophers in Oxford and psychologists in Cologne will offer her or him the possibility to cross disciplinary boundaries and learning from experts in these fields. The project includes an extended research visit to Cologne to study ongoing social-psychological research and the organization of an international workshop on the topic. Further visits and events are encouraged and will be planned in collaboration with the teams at the three universities. The main aim will be to write and publish a dissertation on the history of moral psychology and to publish joint publications in international peer-reviewed journals.

Stephan Schleim's Homepage: http://www.rug.nl/staff/s.schleim/index

Birte Englich's Homepage, our partner in Cologne: http://social-cognition.uni-koeln.de/scc4/people/birte_englich.html

Guy Kahane's Homepage, our partner in Oxford: http://www.philosophy.ox.ac.uk/members/guy_kahane

Requirements

We are looking for a candidate with a Master diploma or comparable degree in history, philosophy, psychology, psychiatry or sociology to work with us in Groningen. The candidate should be familiar with contemporary cognitive science, psychology and/or neuroscience. A background in theory, history or sociology of science is an advantage. Fluent in reading, speaking and writing English is essential. The candidate is able to work independently after an introductory period and willing to cooperate closely with fellow researchers.

Conditions of employment

The University of Groningen offers a salary of € 2,042 gross per month in the first year to € 2,612 gross per month in the final year. The position will be on a temporary basis/four years. After the first year a formal assessment of performance will take place. If the outcome is positive, the position will be extended for the remaining period.
The PhD student will do an extensive literature investigation to analyze and describe the related scientific research. He or she will present papers on conferences and workshops, organize an international workshop, publish a dissertation on moral psychology and peer-reviewed papers as a coauthor or, if possible, independently, leading to the granting of the PhD degree (Dr) at the University of Groningen. The PhD student will have her or his primary place of residence in Groningen for the period of the project and is expected to learn the Dutch language for a better social integration. The Faculty will pay the necessary courses in the university's language center.

We will invite selected candidates for job interviews to Groningen on July 5th, 2010.
Travelling costs will be refunded.

Letters of applications must include an academic curriculum vitae and, if available, a sample academic text. Please name also two academic references we may inquire about your academic work in your letter.

Organisation

Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences

The Department Theory and History of Psychology consists of two professors, two assistant professors, one postdoctoral researcher, three PhD students and is directed by Professor Trudy Dehue. We are specialized in investigating current and historical trends in psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience. We offer a lively intellectual environment to carry out theoretical research in these fields ultimately related to what it means to be human. Our group enjoys frequent coverage in public and media presentations, frequently meets for joint social activities and regularly hosts international guests. We are related to the European Neuroscience and Society Network belonging to the 7th Framework Program of the European Science Foundation and the European Platform for Life Sciences, Mind Sciences, and the Humanities of the Volkswagen Foundation, offering unique international networking opportunities.

University of Groningen
Founded in 1614. One of the best universities in Europe and the world. A wide variety of disciplines. Internationally oriented. Rooted in Northern Netherlands. Socially active. Our researchers and lecturers are inspired academics. Ambitious students. We respect the differences in talent, ambitions and performance of the 25.000 students and members of staff.

Groningen
Groningen is the cultural and economic center of Northern Netherlands. It offers a very high quality of life. In the recent Eurobarometer 2010 investigation assigned by the European Commission Groningen was among the top 3 of 75 European cities in the categories, among others, integration of foreigners, trust in people, safety, health care services, beauty of streets and buildings, outdoor recreation and sports facilities.

Additional information

Stephan Schleim
+31 50 3636244,
s.schleim@rug.nl
European Platform for Life Sciences, Mind Sciences, and the Humanities
Theory and History of Psychology
European Neuroscience and Society Network

 

The short URL code for this job opening is: 4728
Direct link to this job www.academictransfer.com/4728