Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher.

Job Description
The department of philosophy at Maastricht University is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Political Theory. The researcher will carry out research on oligarchic threats to democracy (broadly constructed) as part of the project “Contours of a Non-Oligarchic Democratic Future”, led by Janosch Prinz, Enzo Rossi (UvA), and Manon Westphal (Münster). The post-doctoral researcher will also contribute to teaching in political theory at Maastricht University.

“Contours of a Non-Oligarchic Democratic Future” seeks to contribute to addressing the oligarchic tendencies in contemporary democracies by identifying oligarchic power structures and the corresponding remedies at the institutional and civil society level. The project has two main aims: First, to develop a comprehensive conceptualization of the systemic character of “oligarchic democracy” by using an epistemic approach to ideology critique. Second, we aim to draw the contours of a systemic cure to the oligarchic threat by exploiting untapped capacities such as institutional innovation to counter and disperse oligarchic power. More precisely, we will outline possible counter-oligarchic strategies on two levels – political institutions and civil society – tailored to break and transform the power structures identified in the diagnosis.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has four main research programmes. You will become part of the Research Programme Politics and Culture in Europe (PCE).

The Postdoctoral Researcher and Teacher will be focused on research (75%) and teaching (25%) and have the following main tasks:

• conducting high quality academic research in the field of political theory as part of the project “Contours of a Non-Oligarchic Democratic Future”, funded by the Gerda Henkel Foundation;
• teaching general and specialist courses in political theory; and cognate fields;
• making a dynamic contribution to the research programme of “Politics and Culture in Europe”' through participation in its activities and scholarly publications.

Requirements

• A completed doctoral thesis in Political Theory, Political Philosophy, or other relevant fields in the social sciences and humanities;
• A research agenda focused on oligarchic threats to democracy (broadly construed);
• An on-going programme of research and publications, focused on international peer reviewed journals and/or books published by internationally recognised academic presses;
• Experience with teaching political theory and/or philosophy or cognate fields at university level;
• Fluency in English (level C1, orally and written).

What we offer
As a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions.
• The postdoc is a full time position at Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences of Maastricht University (1.0 FTE) composed of the following elements: 75% research, paid directly by a stipend from the Gerda Henkel Foundation, and 25% teaching, paid by Maastricht University.
• The Gerda Henkel Foundation will directly pay a stipend of €2,300 per month (plus, if applicable, €400 for a first dependent child and €100 for each additional dependent child). The stipend is initially granted for one year and will be extended twice by the Gerda Henkel Foundation on production of a short yearly interim report for a maximum of 36 months total. The stipend would not constitute an employment relationship with the Gerda Henkel Foundation. The stipend part of the position does not come with health care or pension entitlements.
• The 0.25 FTE teaching component of the position paid by Maastricht University will come with a temporary employment contract for 36 months. It will be graded in graded in scale 11 of the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement (CAO-Universiteiten) for Universities according to the UFO profile Onderzoeker 3/ Post-doctoral Researcher with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €4,332 to €5,929 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM.

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences FASoS is a close-knit community of approximately 250 staff members and 2100 students. During breaks and before meetings, you can often find us at our favourite local coffee spot Bandito Espresso.

Communication lines within our faculty are short and colleagues are always ready to assist each other. FASoS consists of a highly international student population and a significant part of our staff comes from abroad. Our faculty offers four bachelor programs, eight masters programs and two research master programs that are all characterized by their interdisciplinary approach.

Our research institute studies societies and cultures as they have developed in the modern and contemporary periods. We adopt a radically interdisciplinary approach, analysing the interconnections between Europeanization, globalization, scientific and technological advancement, political change, and cultural innovation.

In addition to teaching and research, our colleagues enjoy expressing themselves creatively. They create podcasts, write poetry as well as fiction.

Working at FASoS means working in a challenging yet informal environment. We believe in crafting your own career path and are always ready to help you in making the most of your job. For more information about FASoS, you can visit our website FASoS

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Janosch Prinz at j.prinz@maastrichuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Postdoctoral Researcher and Teacher? Apply now, no later than 2 July 2024, for this position.

Please upload the following documents: We ask applicants to explain their relevant expertise in a cover letter (2 pages max.), and expand on their envisaged postdoctoral research programme and how it would advance the project in a research statement (2 pages max.). Please also submit a CV (5 pages max.) and a writing sample (30 pages max.).

The interviews will take place virtually on 10 or 11 July 2024.

The envisaged start date is 1 September or 1 October 2024.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.