We offer a tenure track position for an assistant professor in philosophy of science/social science and/or ethics, with a focus on the implications of algorithms and new digital technologies (such as artificial intelligence, social media, cryptocurrencies) on society and social institutions (such as the labour market, the education system, the role of the sciences in society, democracy/the political system, social cohesion). We will support you in developing yourself from assistant professor to associate professor in a 6-year tenure track.

Job description
Erasmus School of Philosophy is seeking to appoint an assistant professor in philosophy, in the area of philosophy of science/social science and/or ethics, with a focus on the implications of algorithms and new digital technologies (such as artificial intelligence, social media, cryptocurrencies) on society and social institutions (such as the role of sciences in society, democracy/ the political system, social cohesion, the labour market, or the education system etc.).

The main components of the job, besides administrative tasks (10%), will be teaching (50%) and research (40%). The teaching component will involve preparing and teaching courses in the above-mentioned areas, particularly in the philosophy of the (social) sciences, on Bachelor, Master and Research Master level as well as supervising students writing their theses. The research component will address normative questions about the impact of algorithms on society, and / or methodological questions about how the impact of algorithms is to be best conceptualized and studied.

This should result in publications, supervision of PhD researchers, methodology development and acquisition of research grants both nationally and internationally. The candidate is also expected to contribute to societal deliberation and public debate on this topic (engaged scholarship) and to participate in ESPhil and EUR as a vibrant intellectual community (via colloquia, meetings, etc.).

The candidate should have acquired a PhD in philosophy and should be interested in contributing to education, research and societal interaction in accordance with the profile and reputation of ESPhil, that is, combining academic excellence with the development of a philosophical perspective on contemporary societal challenges. More specifically, the candidate will address normative challenges entailed by the digitalization of society. The digitalisation of contemporary culture offers unprecedented opportunities for participation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship. This is not only good news, however, as large global players, such as big tech companies and powerful nation states, are transforming the global societal ecosystem in a top-down manner that merits rigorous scrutiny. Likewise, digital tools may enhance certain forms of public engagement in science or democracy, yet at the same time they may exclude certain groups of citizens from such participation. A widening gap exist between those who benefit from the digital transition and others for whom it rather introduces new hurdles to participation on the labour market and in society in general. This involves questions such as What are appropriate normative frameworks to assess the ethics of digitalization, for instance concerning democratic representation or algorithmic justice? What is the responsibility of the government, regarding the rapidly changing labour market? What is needed to mitigate negative effects of digitalization for the working population and citizens more generally? How ought philosophers of science to conceptualize, study, and make use of digitalization?

Your experience and profile:

• You have a PhD degree in Philosophy;
• You are a team player and have excellent collaborative skills for building networks with colleagues and students within the social sciences and the humanities;
• You have post PhD working experience (preferably two years or more) in an academic environment;
• You hold a Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO) or are willing to acquire one soon;
• You have a proven track record in research and teaching;
• You have experience with acquisition of funding at national and European levels;
• You are fluent in spoken and written English and Dutch at an academic level, or willing to learn Dutch within two years.

An internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with good working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU).

The start date of this position is, preferably, 01 May 2023 and you will be based at the Campus Woudestein - Rotterdam, located at Erasmus School of Philosophy (ESPhil). The position is for 0,8 fte - 1,0 fte. The employment starts with a temporary contract for 18 months with the possibility of a permanent position after positive evaluation.

The selected candidate will be offered a contract at the level of Assistant Professor with the possibility of tenure and promotion to the rank of Associate Professor after 6 years upon successful performance as judged according to specified tenure track conditions.

The salary is dependent on your experience and knowledge and ranges from a minimum of € 3.974 to a maximum of € 5.439 gross per month on a fulltime basis, in accordance with Scale 11 of the CAO-NU. In addition, we offer an 8% holiday allowance, an end-of-year payment of 8.3%, and a very generous paid leave scheme. Furthermore, EUR is affiliated with ABP for the pension provision, and we offer partially paid parental leave, fully paid extended birth leave for partners, a personal career budget, work-life balance coaches, discounted collective health insurance, and more. As an employee, you can also use EUR facilities such as the University library and receive a discount on subscriptions for the Erasmus sports center.

Erasmus University Rotterdam offers a Dual Career Programme (DCP) to assist the life partners of new academic staff (on payroll) in finding employment in The Netherlands. The programme is offered in close cooperation with the nearby universities of Delft and Leiden.

Erasmus University Rotterdam aspires to be an equitable and inclusive community. We nurture an open culture, where everyone is supported to fulfill their full potential. We see inclusivity of talent as the basis of our successes, and the diversity of perspectives and people as a highly valued outcome. EUR provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, functional impairment, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research, as expressed in our mission 'Creating positive societal impact'. EUR is home to 3.700 academics and professionals and almost 33.000 students from more than 140 countries. Everything we do, we do under the credo The Erasmian Way - Making Minds Matter. We're global citizens, connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially involved. These Erasmian Values function as our internal compass and create EUR's distinctive and recognizable profile. From these values, with a broad perspective and with an eye for diversity, different backgrounds and opinions, our employees work closely together to solve societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our research and education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. www.eur.nl.

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 philosophical topics ranging from philosophy of early Enlightenment up to post-modern continental philosophy, from ethics to philosophy of science and metaphysics. Our curriculum is emphatically involved with the current philosophical and societal debates and our research is internationally leading in our field and addresses four 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