Your primary responsibility will be to develop a programme of research, education and outreach dedicated to the combined topic of Erasmus of Rotterdam and the Erasmus University’s Erasmian Values programme.

Strategy 2024 has marked out a set of five fundamental values in September 2019, according to which ‘being an Erasmian’ means being: Engaged with Society, A World Citizen, Connecting, Entrepreneurial, and Open-minded. For academics, employees and students of Erasmus University, these core values are meant to guide us in developing our research agenda, our educational standards and innovations, the governance of our institution and our community participation at Erasmus University. Yet, to really serve as a moral compass, they are in need of further development in dialogue with the EUR community.

The professorship is to provide a scholarly framework for Erasmus University’s Erasmian Values programme by adding to existing activities of individual scholars at EUR a research programme linking the historical figure of Desiderius Erasmus to the notion of Erasmian Values and answering questions of integrity, values and societal relevance in a multidisciplinary way. The ERRC chair is a rotating chair (“Wisselleerstoel”) and the ERRC professor will be appointed for two years.

As Project Lead of the Erasmus of Rotterdam Research Center (ERRC), you will be responsible for Research, Educational and Impact activities in close collaboration with the project’s Academic Lead, Prof. Han van Ruler. You will co-supervise the PhD-project within ERRC (2020-2024), be responsible for the organisation of regular ERRC Colloquia and also contribute to acquiring future funding of ERRC.

ERRC forms part of the ‘Being an Erasmian’ module within Erasmus University’s Strategy 2024. It will develop its activities in close cooperation with the other partners within this module, as well as with the other modules (Fostering Societal Impact, Future Oriented Education, Excellent Academic Research and Sustainable Development). On the basis of its research programme, ERRC will function as a home-based platform from which the notion of Erasmian Values may be discussed and continuously reassessed in the light of policies and professional activities within our community of academics, professionals and students.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and accurate scholar with a doctorate in philosophy, (intellectual) history, sociology, or any other discipline, who is either scholarly acquainted with the figure of Erasmus, or has a demonstrable interest in the theme of Erasmian Values, preferably both.

In return, we offer a first-rate academic research environment at ESPhil as well as a bustling environment of Erasmus University colleagues developing the various themes within Strategy 2024.

Further job requirements:

• Excellent publication record;
• Independent work ethic and accuracy;
• Scientific integrity;
• Daring presentation skills and a talent for public debate;
• Planning, organising and monitoring skills.

Required competences

Please find an overview of the competences based on the VSNU UFO profiles here

1.       Persuasiveness, ability to inspire and lead research/teaching teams;

2.      Clear vision regarding the scientific field;

3.      Managing for results;

4.      Working in teams, in collaboration / cooperation.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

The contract period will start on 1 January 2021 and last until 31 December 2023. In consultation with the project’s Academic Lead, prof. Han van Ruler, a specification of research, educational and administrative tasks and a plan for supervision of the PhD will be drawn up at the start of the contract period.

Special procedures apply to the appointment of professors. The selected candidate will be proposed to the Dean of ESPhil, who in turn will propose the candidate to the College of Promoties consisting of all deans of Erasmus University Rotterdam plus the Rector Magnificus. After approval, the Executive Board of Erasmus University appoints the candidate.

The selected candidate will be offered a 2-year temporary position at the level of Professor.

In accordance with the conditions applied at Erasmus University Rotterdam as indicated in the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO NU) of the Dutch universities, the salary is dependent on the candidate’s experience corresponds to scale H2, which is between € 5.749,- and € 8.371,- gross per month, on a fulltime basis. In addition, EUR pays an 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year payment of 8.3% and offers excellent secondary benefits including 41 annual leave days, on a fulltime basis. 

EUR offers a Dual Career Programme (DCP) to assist the life partners of new academic staff (on pay-roll) in finding employment in The Netherlands. The programme is offered in close cooperation with nearby universities of Delft and Leiden.

Diversity
We value diversity and believe that a diversity of talents contributes to our vision and strategy to excel as a university on research and education. ESPhil is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from candidates of all genders, ethnicities and nationalities. Given the current composition of the ESPhil academic staff and priorities relating to staff diversity, the School especially encourages candidates from an ethnic minority, candidates with an international background and female candidates to apply.

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Erasmus University Rotterdam Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research. Our scientists and students work in close collaboration with internal and external parties to solve global, social challenges, inspired by the always dynamic and cosmopolitan Rotterdam. Our mission is therefore "Creating positive societal impact". Our academic education is intensive, active and application-oriented. Our research increasingly takes place in multidisciplinary teams, which are strongly intertwined with international networks. With our research impact and thanks to the high quality of education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. The Erasmian values ​​function as our internal compass and make Erasmus University recognizable to the outside world: engaged with society, world citizen, connecting, entrepreneurial and open-minded.

Erasmus School of Philosophy (ESPhil)

Erasmus School of Philosophy is a leading research and teaching institution of Erasmus University Rotterdam. The faculty is one of the two independent faculties of philosophy in the Netherlands. ESPhil has a broad international orientation, with many international students (total number of students is currently about 800), 16 PhD researchers), and 55 staff members, and has excellent connections with other schools and universities both in the Netherlands and abroad.