Are you a creative and independant thinker who is passioned about German Philosophy? Are you interested in anthropological theories of the late 18th and early 19th centuries? And do you hold a Master's degree in Philosophy, or are you close to obtaining such a degree? If so, we encourage you to apply as a PhD candidate.

The Department of Metaphysics and Philosophical Anthropology is looking for a PhD candidate to work on the project ’The Origins of Philosophical Anthropology in Classical German Philosophy’. In the eighteenth century, the study of human nature and the development of anthropological theories gained increasing attention. Classical German philosophers played a central role in establishing philosophical anthropology as a proper academic discipline. Kant’s lectures on anthropology, delivered at the University of Königsberg from 1772 to 1796, and his book Anthropologie in pragmatischer Hinsicht (1798) were pivotal in this development. Kant’s work sparked a growing interest in anthropological topics, and his influence can be observed in major representatives of classical German philosophy (from Herder to Hegel) and in other post-Kantian philosophers who contributed to the anthropological debates of the time (such as Carl Leonhard Reinhold, Carl Christian Erhard Schmid, and Jakob Friedrich Fries). Additionally, philosophical approaches were shaped by both the positive and critical reception of contemporaneous scientific anthropologies developed by physicians and life scientists like Johann Friedrich Blumenbach and Ernst Platner. Recent scholarship on classical German philosophy has demonstrated a growing interest in anthropological topics, especially with regard to Kant’s anthropology. However, less attention has been paid to the anthropological accounts of other post-Kantian philosophers and to the influence of empirical research on philosophical theories.

As a PhD candidate, you will conduct research on anthropological theories of one or more authors of classical German philosophy. This may involve focusing on the main proponents (such as Kant, Herder, Fichte, Schelling, Hegel) or expanding the scope of research to include lesser-known or overlooked authors. You will be asked to submit a short research proposal outlining your proposed topic and author(s), and explaining how your proposed research will fit into the project on the origins of philosophical anthropology in classical German philosophy.

Your teaching load will be up to 10% of your working time.

• You hold an MA degree in Philosophy. You have a good knowledge of Classical German Philosophy. Familiarity with the project’s subject area is desired.
• You are able to conduct independent research and work in a collaborative research environment.
• You have an excellent command of English (spoken and written) and possess good writing skills.
• You have excellent reading skills in German.
• You are willing to provide teaching.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1,5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).
• You will receive a starting salary of €2,770 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,539 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Support Service. The Dual Career Programme assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. Our Family Support Service helps you and your partner feel welcome and at home by providing customised assistance in navigating local facilities, schools, and amenities. Also take a look at our support for international staff page to discover all our services for international employees.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

The Department of Metaphysics and Philosophical Anthropology and the associated Center for Contemporary European Philosophy teach and research themes in metaphysics and philosophical anthropology from a contemporary continental philosophical perspective, combining historical and systematic approaches. The Department is a cohesive unit in which monthly lectures are organised and work in progress is discussed.

Information on the Department, its members, and its current research themes can be found on the Department’s website.