We are looking to hire three postdocs in political philosophy (or closely related fields) who want to contribute to the Visions of the Future project.

Your job
The Visions of the Future project aims to provide a systematic normative assessment of the different alternative socio-economic systems that have been proposed to replace neoliberal capitalism. Some well-known proposals are property-owning democracy, the doughnut economy, the well-being economy, models of sustainable prosperity, democratic socialism, as well as some more partial proposals, such as a universal basic income or workplace democracy. These proposals stem from a variety of disciplines – including normative political philosophy, economic sociology, and ecological economics. The goal of the Visions of the Future project is to provide a normative audit of these proposals, by analysing how much they enhance public values and fulfill moral principles, as well as which feasibility constraints they face. The project is funded by a VICI grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and runs from September 2023 until September 2028.

The project team will consist of Professor Ingrid Robeyns (project leader) and the three postdocs whom we are now seeking to hire. There are no predetermined subprojects for each of the postdoc positions. Instead, the entire team will together decide, in scholarly deliberation, what the most fruitful comparisons to focus on would be. That implies that the Visions of the Future project also wants to engage (at least in part) with a more collaborative form of doing political philosophy. Prospective candidates can obtain the project outline by contacting Ingrid Robeyns at i.a.m.robeyns@uu.nl.

We are looking for creative and analytically strong scholars in normative political philosophy or related disciplines. Since the research of the Visions for the Future project will in part be interdisciplinary, a proven interest in interdisciplinary questions and skills in integrating empirical research are a must for this project. Ideally, the candidate has done prior research (e.g in their PhD dissertation) on a topic related to the Visions for the Future project, in particular engaged in normative institutional analysis and used value-pluralistic and empirically grounded methods of political philosophy.

Candidates should have finished all work for their PhD degree before they start the job (whether this means one has had the defense or not, and whether one has the degree or not, depends on the system/country in which one did their PhD degree). Only candidates who know they can meet those conditions by September 2024 should apply. In case of doubt, please contact Ingrid Robeyns. If you do not already have your PhD degree awarded, please explain the timeline in your motivation letter.

We offer:

• a postdoc position for 12 months starting 1 September 2024 or, by mutual agreement, shortly thereafter. After a positive evaluation the contract will be extended for the remaining period of 24 months (3 years in total);
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.226,- and € 5.090,- in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Universiteit Utrecht

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Shaping science, sharing tomorrow.

The Faculty of Humanities has around 7,000 students and 1,100 staff members. It comprises four knowledge domains: Philosophy and Religious Studies, History and Art History, Media and Culture Studies, and Languages, Literature and Communication. With its research and education in these fields, the Faculty aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Netherlands and Europe in a rapidly changing social and cultural context. The enthusiastic and committed colleagues and the excellent amenities in the historical city centre of Utrecht, where the faculty is located, contribute to an inspiring working environment.

The research is conducted at the Ethics Institute within the Research Institute for Philosophy and Religious Studies (OFR). OFR is part of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies in the Faculty of Humanities.