The Department of Philosophy of
the University of Twente (the Netherlands) is looking for an
Assistant Professor (full-time, tenure-track) in Philosophy of Technology
with a (future) emphasis on philosophical anthropology and human-technology relations
The department of philosophy is internationally leading in the philosophy and ethics of technology. It currently includes seven tenured staff members, one postdoc, seven PhD students, and five part-time faculty. We strive to combine academic excellence with societal relevance. We have a strong international orientation and include members from many different nationalities. The department is currently expanding with two tenure-track positions, one in Applied Ethics and/or Political Philosophy, and one in the currently advertised area.
THE CHALLENGE
You teach courses in philosophical anthropology and human-technology relations in the (English-language) master program in Philosophy of Science, Technology and Society (PSTS). You also teach courses in this field, and in other areas of philosophy, for bachelor and master programs in engineering and social sciences. Moreover, you are involved in the supervision of master’s theses in the PSTS program and in the supervision of PhD students.
You perform research in the philosophy of human-technology relations. Your research preferably focuses on one or more of the following areas: philosophical anthropology; philosophy and ethics of human enhancement; philosophy of mind, cognition, body and technology; philosophy and ethics of design; aesthetics and technology; philosophy of religion and technology; philosophy of medicine and technology. However, other specializations will be seriously considered as well.
Your research will be embedded in the department’s research program and in one of the University of Twente’s research institutes. Moreover, your work will be part of the 3TU.Center of Excellence for Ethics and Technology (www.ethicsandtechnology.eu; a joint center of the departments of philosophy of the University of Twente, Delft University of Technology and Eindhoven University of Technology) and/or the Netherlands Graduate School of Science, Technology, and Modern Culture (www.wtmc.net).
As part of your research activities, you are also expected to apply for external funding and to engage in international and interdisciplinary collaboration.
OFFER
You are appointed as assistant professor (full-time). A Tenure Track contract enables you to direct your own career based on fixed performance agreements, in relation to which promotion from UD (assistant professor) to UHD (associate professor) and subsequently to full professor is possible. A definitive assessment will take place no later than five years after commencement of the employment, following which employment for an indefinite period and promotion to associate professor may be agreed upon.
Salary is competitive (initial assistant professor salary is € 44,590 – € 69,360 per year, depending on experience). Starting date is January 2013 (negotiable). The University of Twente has excellent terms of employment.
YOUR PROFILE
You hold a Ph.D. in philosophy, preferably with a specialization in philosophical anthropology or a related subfield in philosophy. You have either had a focus on technology in your past research or you have a demonstrable interest in focusing on technology for your future research. You already have an excellent list of publications in peer-refereed journals, and have relevant international experience.
You have ample experience in teaching at university level, preferably including students in science & engineering, social science, or other non-philosophical fields. You have demonstrable didactic skills, good teaching evaluations, and a passion for education. You are able and willing to teach in areas of philosophy outside your philosophical specialization, and to collaborate with researchers and teachers from nonphilosophical disciplines.
You have an excellent command of the English language. All master programs and many bachelor programs at the University of Twente are taught in English, and English is the official language at departmental meetings. If you do not master Dutch, we require you to eventually learn Dutch as a second language. You are prepared to move to the Netherlands, to the region near the University of Twente.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY AND REGION
The University of Twente (UT) is a research university with a strong international orientation and a focus on science & engineering and social and behavioral sciences. It includes more than 3,300 faculty and staff and 9,000 students. Its motto “high tech, human touch” expresses the aim of combining research in engineering with social and behavioral sciences. The UT is a campus university, located in the city of Enschede, in the east of the Netherlands. Enschede is a lively city of 150,000, located in beautiful countryside and near spectacular nature areas. It is only two hours away from major European cities like Amsterdam, Cologne and Düsseldorf, three hours from Brussels and less than six hours from Berlin, Paris and London.
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION
For more information, please contact prof. dr. ir. Peter-Paul Verbeek (e-mail p.p.c.c.verbeek [at] utwente.nl; phone +31 53 489 4460).
Your application should include a CV, a letter of application (including a summary of your teaching evaluations), a summary and table of contents of your dissertation (or your full dissertation), a writing sample, and contact information for 3 or more references and should be sent before September 24. Applications should be uploaded via www.utwente.nl/vacatures/en.