Postdoctoral positions at the Center for Philosophy and the Health Sciences, Department of Philosophy and History of Ideas, Aarhus University

The Department of Philosophy and History of Ideas, School of Culture and Society, Faculty of Arts, Aarhus University invites applications for two fixed-term postdoctoral positions in philosophy, each lasting two to three years.

The positions are full-time (37 hours/week) and begins on 01.01.2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Aarhus University is keen for its staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified applicants regardless of their personal background.

Research contextWe are looking for innovative, postdoctoral researchers with a background in philosophy or psychology, specialising in epistemology and/or philosophy of psychiatry. The successful applicant will be part of a project on epistemic rationality, mental disorder and stigmatization (funded by the Velux Foundation), led by PI Professor Somogy Varga and will be conducted in collaboration with Co-PIs Associate Professor Anke Büter (Work Packages 1&2) and Professor Asbjørn Steglich-Petersen (Work Packages 2&3). The research will be anchored at the Center for Philosophy and the Health Sciences, at the Department of Philosophy and History of Ideas, Aarhus University. The project aims to enhance our understanding of forms of irrationality identified by scholarly literature as significant in diagnosing and explaining mental disorders. It will seek to develop an integrated perspective on epistemic rationality, reevaluate the connection between rationality and mental health, and contribute to both understanding and mitigating stigmatization.

The positionThe successful applicant is expected to:

• develop their research within the general framework of the project, in close cooperation with the project team
• present their research at national and international events and publish results in peer-reviewed, international scientific journals in a timely fashion
• actively participate in the daily on-site working environment at Aarhus University
• collaborate with team members, for instance by co-authoring articles and reviewing relevant literature
• initiate and help to organise research workshops, conferences and other such activities
• be willing to contribute to team-taught courses.

Qualifications and requirements Applicants for this position must hold a PhD degree in philosophy or be at PhD level, and must be able to document:

• expertise in the research topic
• an international and relevant research profile of high international quality
• the ability and willingness to engage in close collaboration with the team and the local research environment, and
• fluency in written and spoken English.

Ideally, applicants should also be able to document:

• experience of conference organisation, and
• experience of editorial work.

In view of this, applicants are asked to submit:

• a project description (maximum three pages) in which they indicate how they will contribute to the overall project. The project description should ideally demonstrate excellent knowledge of the relevant philosophical and empirical literature
• a concise statement of motivation for applying for the position (maximum one page), and
• a maximum of five publications or submitted papers (please note that a list of publications is not enough, the papers must be uploaded with the application).
• a teaching portfolio
• professional references or recommendations should not be included. Applicants who are selected for an interview may be asked to provide professional references.

The application must be submitted in English.

For further information about the position, please contact PI Professor Somogy Varga at [email protected]. For more information about the application and the employment procedure, please contact HR supporter Helle Sindal, e-mail [email protected]

The work environmentThe Department of Philosophy and History of Ideas at Aarhus University is the largest of its type in Denmark, and – owing in particular to the productive tension between the systematic and historical perspectives – the research conducted is characterised by an undogmatic and open-minded worldview. The researchers are involved in a variety of interdisciplinary projects both within and outside the Faculty of Arts.

Read more here: https://cas.au.dk/en/about-the-school/departments/philosophy-and-history-of-ideas/

School of Culture and SocietyAt the School of Culture and Society the object of research and teaching is the interplay between culture and society in time and space:

- From the traditional disciplines of the humanities and theology to applied social research
- From Antiquity to the issues facing contemporary societies
- From local questions to global challenges.

The school’s goal is to produce compelling research with an international resonance, as well as offering teaching and talent development of high quality. The school has a broad cooperative interface with society, both in Denmark and abroad, and contributes to social innovation, research communication and further and continuing education.

International applicantsInternational applicants are encouraged to check Family and work-life balance and Attractive working conditions for further information about the benefits of working at Aarhus University and in Denmark, including healthcare, paid holidays and, if relevant, maternity/paternity leave, childcare and schooling. Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including a relocation service and career counselling for expat partners. For information about taxation, see Taxation aspects of international researchers’ employment by AU.

Qualification requirementsApplicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications.

FormalitiesThe Faculty of Arts refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities (the Appointment Order).

• Appointments shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.
• Further information on the application and supplementary materials may be found in Application Guidelines.
• The application must outline the applicant's motivation for applying for the position, attaching a curriculum vitae, a teaching portfolio, a complete list of published works, copies of degree certificates and examples of academic production (mandatory, but no more than five examples). Please upload this material electronically along with your application.

Aarhus University also offers a junior researcher development programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here: https://talent.au.dk/junior-researcher-development-programme/

If nothing else is noted, applications must be submitted in English. The application deadline is at 11.59 pm Danish time (same as Central European Time) on the deadline day.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.
Shortlists may be prepared with the candidates that have been selected for a detailed academic assessment. A committee set up by the head of school is responsible for selecting the most qualified candidates. See this link for further information about shortlisting at the Faculty of Arts: shortlisting

Faculty of ArtsThe Faculty of Arts is one of five main academic areas at Aarhus University.

The faculty contributes to Aarhus University's research, talent development, knowledge exchange and degree programmes.
With its 550 academic staff members, 240 PhD students, 9,500 BA and MA students, and 1,500 students following continuing/further education programmes, the faculty constitutes a strong and diverse research and teaching environment.

The Faculty of Arts consists of the School of Communication and Culture, the School of Culture and Society and the Danish School of Education. Each of these units has strong academic environments and forms the basis for interdisciplinary research and education.

The faculty's academic environments and degree programmes engage in international collaboration and share the common goal of contributing to the development of knowledge, welfare and culture in interaction with society.

Read more at arts.au.dk/en

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Deadline
30 September 2024

Aarhus University Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/