This is a two-year research-oriented postdoc position in the project “Working democracy” under the supervision of Prof. Lisa Herzog. The task of the postdoc is mainly to work on the following work package:

Subproject 4:
This subproject, conducted by a postdoctoral researcher, will analyze the history of democratic thought since the 18th century with a focus on the question of work. Historically (e.g., still in Kant), it was often assumed that only economically independent individuals could be citizens. In the 19th and 20th century the fights for better working conditions and for democratic inclusion often went hand in hand. The fact that workers contributed to society was often brought forward as an argument for democratic inclusion, not least in the democratic gains for women after the world wars. And yet, to this point, no systematic history of ideas about the relation of work and democracy exists. Thus, the research question here is: How have the history, and the history of ideas, of the organization of work and of democratic participation been intertwined? This subproject will focus on the 18th to 20th century (as the centuries in which modern work societies and modern democracies developed in the North Atlantic realm), drawing, in parallel, on four strands: the history of working conditions, the history of ideas about work, the history of democratic practices, and the history of ideas about democratic practices. Such parallel readings can be expected to deliver insights on a number of levels: concerning not only the relation between theoretical ideas and lived realities, but also between ideas about work and democracy, and practices concerning work and democracy. At the same time, the project can help to de-familiarize current ways of conceptualizing work, democracy, and the relation between them. Particular attention will be paid to phenomena (both practices and ideas) at the margins of labor markets that would speak to the contemporary phenomena explored in the first three subprojects [precarious work, digital work, migrant work].

The postdoc will do their own research on this topic in collaboration with Prof. Herzog, and help organize academic events for the project.

Organisation
The University of Groningen is an innovative and research-driven institute in the Northern part of the Netherlands. It is an internationally oriented university with 34,000 students and 6,500 employees. Quality is a top priority and as a consequence, the University has a strong international reputation and maintains a firm position in the international university ranking lists.

The Faculty of Philosophy is a vibrant, international community of excellent researchers and teachers. It consistently receives the highest evaluations both for research and for teaching among philosophy departments in the Netherlands. The Faculty has three departments: History of Philosophy, Theoretical Philosophy, and Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy. Moreover, the interdisciplinary Center for Philosophy, Politics and Economics is a meeting space for researchers from different disciplines to exchange ideas and learn from each other.

We are looking for a postdoc (2 year) in political philosophy, within the department of Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy.

- PhD prior to appointment.
- Strong research profile and publication record appropriate to career stage.
- Excellent command of English.
- Proven ability to integrate insights from other disciplines (e.g., history, sociology, anthropology) into philosophical work.
- Research connections to the history of ideas are a plus.

Fixed-term contract: 12 months.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities

- A salary depending on qualifications and work experience of candidates ranging from a minimum of € 3,345 gross per month to a maximum of € 5,278 gross per month for a full-time position, for one year (salary scale 10, researcher 4).
- An 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end bonus and participation in a pension scheme for employees; favourable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants.

We expect the successful candidate to move to Groningen for the duration of their employment.

Starting date: 1 September 2025.

Prof. Lisa Herzog
l.m.herzog@rug.nl