Vacancy: Full professor Human Conditions (1.0 fte)

 Erasmus School of Philosophy (ESPhil) 

Erasmus School of Philosophy (ESPhil) of Erasmus University Rotterdam is a leading research and teaching institution in the Netherlands. The faculty has a broad international orientation, with many international students and staff members and strong connections with universities abroad. Our research programs are internationally leading in our field. We offer two Master programs (the Master program Philosophy Now and the Research Master Philosophy and Economics) and two Bachelor programs (the BA Philosophy and the Philosophy of a Specific Discipline (second degree) program. Guided by dedicated lecturers, students delve into various philosophical topics, ranging from philosophy of early Enlightenment up to post-modern continental philosophy; from ethics to philosophy of science and metaphysics. ESPhil enables students to become critical thinkers and engaged scholars by developing their academic skills and encouraging them to practice philosophy in multiple societal settings. Our curriculum is emphatically involved with the current philosophical and societal debates and our research is internationally leading in our field and addresses for collaborative themes:

1. The making of modernity: early Enlightenment and its relevance for today
2. Human conditions: addressing socio-cultural and technology-driven transitions via engaged reflection
3. Philosophy and economics: exploring the ethical, methodological and conceptual challenges of economics and their relevance for the global world
4. The structure of science and reality: addressing fundamental philosophical questions raised by contemporary scientific developments    

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research. Our scientists and students work in close collaboration with internal and external parties to solve global, social challenges, inspired by the always dynamic and cosmopolitan Rotterdam. Our mission is therefore "Creating positive societal impact". Our academic education is intensive, active and application-oriented. Our research increasingly takes place in multidisciplinary teams, which are strongly intertwined with international networks. With our research impact and thanks to the high quality of education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. The Erasmian values ​​function as our internal compass and make Erasmus University recognizable to the outside world: engaged with society, world citizen, connecting, entrepreneurial and open-minded.

Required skills and expertise

The candidate:

• Has an academic background in philosophy and completed a PhD on a topic relevant to the profile of the chair and the “human conditions” theme (introduced below). This notably involves demonstrated expertise in philosophy of technology, philosophical anthropology and/or eco–philosophy, or other areas of expertise fitting to our theme
• Has an excellent academic CV
• Combines a broad orientation in philosophy with a track record for interdisciplinary collaboration
• Combines a solid and extensive academic grounding in continental philosophy with visible engagement in societal debate
• Publishes in international peer-reviewed journals;
• Has a proven capacity for acquisition of external research funding;
• Has experience in supervising PhD researchers as well as Bachelor and Master's students;
• Has teaching experience at all academic levels (bachelor, master, post–graduate)
• Advises research performing organisations, professional organisations and policy makers
• Endorses the work ethic of collaboration, collegiality and integrity
• Has an excellent command of English and Dutch or is willing to learn Dutch

Via teaching, research, academic management and societal outreach, we expect the candidate to contribute to the further development of one of ESPhil’s collaborative themes, namely Human Conditions.  This theme explores how economic, political and ecological crises and the growing technological complexity of our life-world call for reflection on who we are as human beings. Against the backdrop of the Anthropocene, concepts such as humanity, subjectivity, and identity became have become contested concepts as they seem to express anthropocentrism and lack of attention to our physical embedding and interwovenness with others, although questions of agency, responsibility, equality or diversity are still relevant. We aim to reframe these concepts so that human situatedness, interdependence and vulnerability are taken seriously, especially in times of crises and transitions, while focusing on areas such as climate change, feminism, de-colonialism, post-truth, power, and citizenship. Interactions between philosophy, art and science are an inherent part of our approach.

Conditions of Employment

Special procedures apply to the appointment of professors. The selected candidate will be proposed to the College of Promotions consisting of all deans of Erasmus University Rotterdam plus the Rector Magnificus. After approval, the Executive Board of Erasmus University appoints the candidate.

The selected candidate will be appointed for 5 years at the level of Professor, with the possibility of extension, conditional on good performance. The employment contract will be initially for a period of 18 months after proven suitability for the position the contract will be converted to a permanent contract. The candidate will be expected to take up the position as soon as possible.

In accordance with the conditions applied at Erasmus University Rotterdam as indicated in the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO NU) of the Dutch universities, the salary is dependent on the candidate’s experience corresponds to scale H2, which is between € 5.864 and € 8.539 gross per month, on a fulltime basis. In addition, EUR pays an 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year payment of 8.3% and offers excellent secondary benefits including 41 annual leave days, on a fulltime basis. 

EUR offers a Dual Career Program (DCP) to assist the life partners of new academic staff (on pay-roll) in finding employment in The Netherlands. The program is offered in close cooperation with nearby universities of Delft and Leiden.

Diversity

We particularly encourage members of underrepresented groups to apply: We genuinely value diversity and believe that a diversity of talents contributes to our vision and strategy to excel as a university on research and education. ESPhil is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from candidates of all genders, ethnicities, and nationalities. Given the current composition of the ESPhil academic staff and priorities relating to staff diversity, the school especially encourages candidates with an international background, and female candidates to apply.

How to apply?

To apply, please send your application package, no later than April 30th, 2022 by e-mail to office@esphil.eur.nl. Please mention Professorship Human Conditions in the subject line.

The application package should include the following files in PDF format:

1. Your contact details (email, phone number) and the email addresses of two academic referees. 

2. CV and list of publications

3. A motivation letter that outlines your vision on education (bachelor, master, inter-disciplinary), academic management and societal relevance as well as your research plans for the future

At least two interviews with a selected number of candidates will be organized second half of May and first half of June 2022. A lecture for students will be part of the selection procedure.