The Department of Philosophy at Tilburg University seeks to appoint three outstanding assistant professors. The candidates are expected to have excellent teaching skills, as demonstrated by prior teaching experience. Courses are given at both bachelor and master level and to both philosophy and non-philosophy students. In the case of the non-philosophy students teaching is to large groups. The candidates are also expected to possess – or to be in the process of developing – an international reputation in research.

The Department of Philosophy at Tilburg University is part of the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD) and takes its motto from Tilburg University: ‘Understanding Society’. The Department has a vibrant, internationally oriented, interdisciplinary and pluralist research climate. At the moment the department’s core research strength is in TILPS, the Tilburg Center for Logic, Ethics and Philosophy of Science (TiLPS).The Department is also in the process of building up an additional research group: Philosophy of Humanities, Culture and Ethics (PHC&E). Both research groups offer a pleasant collaborative environment (in education and research) and the Department encourages the development of further collaborations within and between these groups.

The successful candidates will hold a PhD in philosophy and have a track record of publications in leading international journals or show the capability of developing such a record early in their careers. The successful candidates will play a stimulating role in the Department, by being team-players and by contributing to the Department’s research profile. They are also expected to apply regularly for external research funding.

Experience in teaching at university level is necessary. The ability to teach beyond one’s area of expertise (AoE) is a requirement. A significant portion of the tasks of the newly appointed assistant professors will be to participate in the teaching of the Department for the other Schools of Tilburg University, like the Tilburg School of Economics and Management (TiSEM) and the Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (TSB). The candidates will therefore have to demonstrate an aptitude for teaching philosophy to students with little or no background in philosophy.

The candidates must have an excellent command of the English language. The candidates are expected to acquire the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ; Dutch: BKO) in the first two years of the appointment. The candidates are expected to be available for teaching in the evening, one evening in the week.

Tilburg University is an equal opportunity employer that encourages diversity in its staff.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Tilburg University is rated among the top Dutch employers and has excellent terms of employment. Successful candidates will be offered either a 4 year contract or a 1+3 year contract, depending on experience and possession of a UTQ certificate. In the latter case, the candidate will receive a contract of one year, and after a positive evaluation an extension of three years. No guarantees can be given about the possibility of a contract being offered following up on the contract period, but the department has the policy of providing such a contract if possible.

The selected candidates will be ranked in the Dutch university employment system as assistant professor (“universitair docent 2”), scale 11. The starting gross salary for a full-time appointment is (minimal) € 3,475 up to (maximal) € 4,757 per month (max € 66,388 all in per year). For experienced candidates who meet the requirements of scale 12, ranking in this scale is possible. The gross salary for a full-time appointment is (minimal) € 4,210 up to (maximal) € 5,405 per month (max € 75,432 all in per year).

Candidates from outside the Netherlands may qualify for a tax-free allowance equal to 30% of their taxable salary. The university will apply for such an allowance on their behalf. The Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences will provide assistance in finding suitable accommodation. The university offers very good fringe benefits (it is one of the best non-profit employers in the Netherlands), such as a holiday allowance, an options model for terms and conditions of employment and reimbursement of moving expenses.

Tilburg University

Tilburg University is an inspiring university offering a stimulating and challenging environment for students, staff, and alumni. The university highly values authenticity, academic freedom, and continuous development. In its top-quality education and research programs in the disciplines of the social sciences and the humanities, the university is committed to addressing quality issues in society at national and international levels. It does so by training people for positions of responsibility in society and by contributing to socially sustainable solutions. Tilburg University draws on a rich tradition which nourishes reflection and which also encourages the academic community's awareness of the university's philosophy of life in relation to academic discipline.

Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences

Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences conducts scientific research and education in the fields of Communication and Cognition and Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence. Philosophy, Religious studies and Language and Culture studies. The School of Humanities and Digital Sciences features four departments, several research institutes and a faculty office. Each year around 275 students commence a Bachelor or (Pre) Master Program. The School has approximately 1300 students and 250 employees.

Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences