The Faculty of Humanities is looking for an enthusiastic and independent student-assistant to work on Dr. Gulzaar Barn's Startersbeurs project on The Ethics of Emerging Genetic Technologies. You will be part of the Philosophy department at the University of Amsterdam, a thriving hub for research and public engagement. Your role sits in the 'Philosophy and Public Affairs' capacity group, a research cluster dedicated to exploring classical questions in practical philosophy, such as the foundations of ethics and sociopolitical philosophy, as well as applied topics of immense practical significance.

Join us!
You will assist Dr. Gulzaar Barn with her research activities on the project, The Ethics of Emerging Genetic Technologies.
The longstanding bioethical debate surrounding creating 'better people' through reproductive technologies and genetic engineering has taken on a renewed relevance as artificial intelligence tools are increasingly deployed in this area, accelerating the pace of development. Such tools claim to aid the prediction of non-disease traits such as the height, IQ, eye colour, and even facial appearance of an embryo. The debate is seemingly no longer situated in the hypothetical, as companies in the U.S. already offer such embryo-selection services. The project will explore whether the widespread deployment of such technologies is consistent with foundational liberal democratic principles, focusing on the dominance of the private sector in the development of such technologies and the bypassing of any corresponding public accountability, as well as the racist genealogy of 'IQ' and its heritability, and its use as a tool for eugenic classification. This role will require you to assist with a range of research activities that support these core research aims.

This is what you will be doing

• conducting literature reviews;
• formatting articles for publication;
• undertaking desk-based research into companies and regulatory frameworks;
• supporting public engagement activities;
• assisting in the organisation of events.

This is what we ask of you
We are looking for someone diligent and dedicated with a genuine interest in the project and related issues. It would be advantageous to have studied or written on related topics in philosophy such as reproductive ethics, egalitarianism, demography and population control, eugenics, and the body as a site of societal and political intervention.
Your experience and profile:

• undergraduate degree in philosophy;
• postgraduate degree in philosophy, political theory (can be expected/ongoing rather than completed);
• background knowledge on egalitarianism, feminism, philosophy of race, philosophy of technology.

This is what we offer you
We offer a temporary employment contract for a period of 1 year with a probationary period of two months. The employment contract is for 19 hours a week. The preferred starting date is 10 February 2024. Your salary, depending on relevant experience on commencement of the employment contract, ranges between €2.925 to €2.918 gross per month on the basis of a full working week of 38 hours. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8,3% year-end allowance. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.
What else do we offer?

• a position in which your initiative and input are highly appreciated;
• an enthusiastic team that welcomes new colleagues;
• an inspiring academic and international environment located in the heart of Amsterdam.

This is where you will be working
You will be working at the Philosophy department of the University of Amsterdam. The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds. The Faculty of Humanities provides education and conducts research with a strong international profile in a large number of disciplines in de field of language and culture. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the faculty maintains close ties with many cultural institutes in the capital city.

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the link below. We will accept applications until 17 January 2025. Please submit your letter and CV in 1 pdf by uploading in the required field 'CV'.
The first round of interviews will be held from 27 January 2025 onwards.