In the context of the sector plan for the Humanities titled 'Tradition in transition' and the collaboration between the SSH-domains Social Sciences, Humanities, Law and Economics, the faculty currently has a vacant Assistant Professor position as part of the cross-cutting research theme Welfare, Participation and Citizenship in a Digital World.
What are you going to do?We are looking for a candidate with a strong background in philosophy of technology and political philosophy. The successful candidate should be able to combine debates in philosophy of science, democracy, and technology in novel ways.
Possible lines of specializations we are interested in, though not limited to:
- Digital democracies and democratic participation;
- Digitally situated knowledge production and bias in technology;
- Civic education in relation to digital culture(s);
- Digital health and well-being;
- Politically relevant questions in the digital world, for example, relative to social media platforms or pornography.
We especially welcome applicants who can link philosophy of technology debates with political philosophy from perspectives that are relevant for social and cultural identities, such as (though not limited to) post-colonial, feminist, anti-racist, non-western, and/or non-ableist perspectives.
A successful candidate for the position is expected to be able to contribute to teaching in:
- Practical Philosophy, especially political philosophy;
- Philosophy of Technology;
- Philosophy of Science.
You will provide education in a dynamic context with ample opportunities for the development of innovative teaching methods. Your research will be part of the
Amsterdam School of Cultural Analysis (ASCA), one of the five research schools of the
Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research. ASCA is home to more than 100 researchers and more than 140 PhD candidates, and conducts world-leading research in Cultural Analysis. ASCA researchers share a commitment to studying culture in all its forms and expressions within an interdisciplinary framework, and to maintaining a close connection with contemporary cultural and political debates. All ASCA research fits into at least one, but usually more than one of five thematic constellations: 1) Mediality; 2) Arts & Aesthetics; 3) Globalization & Migration; 4) Identities; and 5) Cultural & Social Critique.
The successful candidate will also be part of the Platform for the Ethics and Politics of Technology (PEPT) and is expected to contribute to PEPT's organization of events and research activities. The Platform for the Ethics and Politics of Technology (PEPT) brings together scholars that deal with the ethical, social, and political issues of technologies and creates synergies between their projects. PEPT is based at the Faculty of Humanities and the Department of Philosophy but offers a platform to all UvA (and other) scholars working on new technologies in all disciplines/faculties and at the same time reflecting on the political and ethical aspects of their research. The monthly PEPTalks offer international speakers and participants from all disciplines a vibrant interdisciplinary atmosphere. Furthermore, PEPT is a platform for research, education, interdisciplinary studies, conferences, workshops, and interactions with stakeholders in society and the public at large. It aims to connect people and institutes and to enrich research and societal and political reflection. The creation of PEPT is inspired by the increasing importance of collaborative and interdisciplinary research and teaching and aims to contribute to the exploration of the big questions and fundamental challenges of contemporary society. By emphasizing questions concerning the ethics and politics of technology, the platform seeks to reach out to researchers of all Faculties of the University of Amsterdam.
For more information, please see
platform for the ethics and politics of technologyThe position will be embedded within the
Department of Philosophy. The department has a strong profile, characterized by a broad and attractive range of education and a number of strong research groups. The successful candidate will be a member of either the capacity group
Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPA) or
Philosophical Tradition in Context (PTC). PPA examines classical questions in the area of practical philosophy, such as the foundations of ethics and sociopolitical philosophy, in light of new and topical problems. PTC as a capacity group explores the historical development of philosophical themes (within a social and cultural context) in interaction with science and religion, culture and society, and with due regard for non-Western philosophy.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- designing and conducting independent research on philosophy of technology and politics resulting in academic publications in peer-reviewed international journals and/or books;
- actively pursuing external funding for research, notably funding from research councils, national as well as European;
- actively contributing to and developing national and international research networks and other forms of cooperation;
- actively contributing to the research activities of ASCA/ PEPT;
- developing, coordinating and teaching courses in both Dutch and English, in the Bachelor and Master programs;
- supervising Bachelor and Master theses and tutoring students; co-supervising PhD theses;
- actively contributing to the development and improvement of the broader teaching programs in the department;
- taking part in committees and working groups, and carrying out departmental administrative tasks as directed;
- actively contributing to the interdisciplinary collaboration of the sector plan research theme Welfare, Participation and Citizenship in a Digital World.