Profile

At the University of Humanistic Studies, we conduct research and offer education in humanism and humanity from a range of perspectives. The question at the heart of this endeavour is how to build a caring and just society in which all people can lead meaningful lives. How do people – collectively and individually, in their personal and their working lives – seek to achieve and give expression to a shared sense of humanity?

The University has adopted a Strategic Plan for the period 2022-2026, identifying sustainability, diversity and internationalisation as our key themes. The challenge for the coming years is to strengthen humanism from the perspective of philosophy and in doing so to reinforce and enrich our mission. The University’s advisory report and research programme provide a more detailed insight into this approach.

At a small-scale university such as ours, staff has a vital role to play in shaping policy. We are therefore looking for a professor who is sensitive to political issues and possesses the personal qualities needed to build a research group by fostering constructive connections between its members. The professor is also a member of the management team, in which every holder of an academic chair collaborates closely with the Executive Board and the directors of education and research.

This is what you like to do:

• Coordinating and conducting academic philosophical research on humanism in relation to key national and international developments in sustainability and diversity;
• Playing a vital academic and societal role in creating a renewed perspective on the meaning of humanism as a worldview within the context of a changing and plural society;
• Developing and implementing education at undergraduate and graduate level;
• Managing an academic department.

You recognize yourself in these qualifications:

• PhD in philosophy or a related academic discipline;
• a demonstrable affinity with humanism as a worldview;
• up-to-date knowledge of relevant discussions in international humanism;
• a clear personal vision of the significance of humanism in relation to the major questions of our time, and how to express and develop this vision through higher education, research and societal impact;
• a strong publication record with regard to international academic discussions on current matters of concern to humanism;
• an enthusiastic and inspiring teaching style;
• the ability to lead a team of talented young academics;
• a demonstrable ability to attract indirect and contract funding for research and to guide and encourage others in this process;
• proven experience of successfully supervising doctoral research;
• proven experience of interdisciplinary collaboration;
• the ability to translate science into professional practice and vice versa;
• affinity with the national Recognition and Reward programme;
• English language skills at C1 level or a willingness to achieve this level.

We offer you:

• a fixed-term contract for the duration of 18 months. After this initial period, and subject to satisfactory performance, this may be converted to a permanent appointment:
• a position classified as ‘Professor, Level 2’ in the Dutch University Job Classification System (salary scale H2 in the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities), step is depending on your scientific track record and experience;
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• 11 extra days off instead of the legally allotted 20 (in case of full-time employment);
• arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home;
• ability to compose part of your employment conditions yourself (by Individual choices Model);
• a good pension plan via ABP;
• plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realize your ambitions.

• Type of employment: Temporary position
• Contract type: Full time
• First day of employment: 1 september 2023 (preferred)
• Salary: max. € 8.881,= gross per month (based on a 38-hour week)

The University of Humanistic Studies is an independent university located in a historical building in the centre of Utrecht. Our education and research, inspired by the worldviews and traditions of humanism, is focusing on contemporary issues with a normative component oriented towards the building of humane and caring societies.

5 chair groups are offering a bachelor programme, 3 master programmes and a PhD graduate school to 650 students. We have the ambition to grow in amount of students, research and realization of social impact. Together with 120 members of academic and support staff we work in an personal and including atmosphere. For more information: www.uvh.nl