The ENCODE project: Explicating Norms for Collective Deliberation (NWO VIDI project)
Deliberation is often seen as an antidote to the current crisis of democracy. People should not just vote or aggregate their opinions: they should talk, exchange arguments and preferences, and thus achieve consensus or at least mutual understanding through dialogue. But what norms should group deliberation satisfy, for it to count as democratic? What exactly can we expect from collective deliberation?

The ENCODE project seeks to answer these questions in exact terms. In particular, we want to study existing formal models of deliberation and develop new ones, in order to get a better understanding of the complex interactions that take place when people exchange their arguments and revise their position. The emphasis will be on philosophical logic, but we will also consider agent-based models of deliberation and decision-theoretic accounts.

This project is funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and run by Dr. Frederik Van de Putte within the Erasmus Institute for Philosophy and Economics (EIPE), Erasmus School of Philosophy (ESPhil).

The Postdoctoral researcher
The postdoc’s primary responsibility will be to conduct research and publish in peer reviewed journals and books. The researcher should also contribute to the ENCODE Project in other ways, such as by giving scholarly presentations and co-organizing reading groups and workshops. Furthermore, they will become part of a large and diverse community of researchers, and are expected to contribute to the Erasmus School of Philosophy’s (ESPhil) educational programme.

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher who satisfies the following requirements:

• Completed PhD in philosophy or MA in philosophy and PhD in computer science or mathematics, with demonstrable background in formal ethics, logic, decision theory, and/or agent-based modelling;
•  (demonstrable) interest in political theory and/or the theory of group deliberation;
• A strong, promising track-record in terms of international publications and/or public outreach, as witnessed by CV;
• Excellent speaking and writing skills in English, as demonstrated by published work;
• An entrepreneurial and team player attitude is highly valued;
• Ability and willingness to contribute to development and acquisition of externally funded projects;
• Conceptual capacity, presenting, planning and organizing and monitoring (VSNU competencies for postdocs).

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

The position can start as soon as November 15th, 2021, and before April 1st, 2022. It lasts for a maximum of two years. The appointment concerns a temporary postdoctoral research position for two years. This position comes with good employment conditions, compliant with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO NU). The position begins with a temporary employment contract for 12 months in which the candidate’s suitability is evaluated. After a positive evaluation, an additional contract of 12 months follows, leading to a total appointment of 2 years.

We offer a stimulating and dynamic interdisciplinary research environment, with attractive benefits in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU). 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 and is set at CAO NU scale 11 with a minimum of € 3.746,- and a maximum of € 5.127,- 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. In addition, EUR takes part in the ABP pension scheme, and we also offer partially paid parental leave. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Moreover, EUR staff members are allowed to make use of the EUR facilities, including the Erasmus sports centre and the University Library.

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 from an ethnic minority, candidates with an international background, and female candidates to apply.

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research. Inspired by the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam, our scientists and students work in close collaboration with internal and external parties to solve global social challenges. 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 ranks amongst the top European universities. 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.  www.eur.nl

Erasmus School of Philosophy (ESPhil)

Erasmus School of Philosophy is a leading research and teaching institution of Erasmus University Rotterdam. The faculty is one of the two independent faculties of philosophy in the Netherlands. ESPhil has a broad international orientation, with many international students (total number of students is currently about 800), PhDs (about 15), and staff members (about 30), and has excellent connections with universities abroad.