This is a four-year fully funded PhD position, for a PhD candidate to carry out the research project titled ‘Complicity as Motivated Ignorance: Shared Responsibility in Cases of Oppression’. The aim of this project is to develop a deeper philosophical understanding of complicity as it relates to oppression. In collaboration with social psychologists, the project aims to explore the responsibility complicit agents can be said to have for perpetuating their own oppression and the oppression of others, even if their complicity may in some way be unintentional or ‘unknowing’. For a detailed project description, see: https://www.scoop-program.org/program-projects/828-12-4-complicity-as-motivated-ignorance-shared-responsibility-in-cases-of-oppression

The project is part of the transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary research programme SCOOP: Roadmaps to Resilient Societies (see: http://www.scoop-program.org). SCOOP is a research and training centre dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of sustainable cooperation as a key feature of resilient societies. SCOOP brings together researchers of the University of Groningen, Utrecht University, VU Amsterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Radboud University Nijmegen.

The PhD student will participate in the SCOOP PhD training program, see: https://www.scoop-program.org/training-program-towards-transdisciplinarity. The PhD candidate will be part of the Graduate School of the Faculty of Philosophy and work under the supervision of Dr. Charlotte Knowles (primary supervisor), Prof. Lisa Herzog, and Prof. Ernestine Gordijn.

Organisation
The University of Groningen, founded in 1614, is an internationally oriented university with 36,000 students and 7,500 employees. The University has a strong reputation and maintains a firm position in the international university ranking lists.

The Faculty of Philosophy is a vibrant, international community of excellent researchers and teachers that consistently receives high evaluations, both for research and for teaching.

- MA degree in philosophy (or equivalent degree); preferably some demonstrable interest in psychology
- strong background in one or more areas relevant to the project
- ability to work independently and in a collaborative research environment
- good command of English and good academic writing and presentation skill
- eagerness to learn to work in an interdisciplinary research team as part of the SCOOP programme.

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

- a salary of € 2,541 (salary scale PhD candidates) gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,247 gross per month in the fourth and final year, based on a full-time position
- a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income an 8.3% year-end bonus
- a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that you will successfully complete your PhD thesis within the next three years. A PhD training programme is part of the agreement. There is a budget for research expenses such as conference travel.

Starting date: as soon as possible; no later than 1st September 2023