PhD position in Philosophy of Technology

Education is increasingly permeated by and enacted through technological artifacts. These artifacts provide opportunities for learning that is more effective, individually tailored and in tune with pressing societal challenges. Importantly, such education is about more than the transfer of knowledge and acquisition of skills! That is, it also shapes the very students it teaches.

Technology profoundly affects this process. Just as our interactions with technologies shape the spaces, experiences, practices and knowledge that education has to offer, they also co-shape the kinds of intellectual, moral, professional and political subjects that students become, and the opportunities they have for taking part in that process.

Increasingly, philosophers of technology recognize the profound impact of technologies on how we become who and what we are and in the processes of self-shaping that this allows (e.g., Aydin, 2021; Bergen & Verbeek, 2021). To study these aspects of technology, educational settings are exceptionally exciting areas of inquiry!

As such, this PhD project investigates the ways technologies mediate how students are shaped as subjects in educational settings. This will require conceptual innovations and theory crafting that are specific to this context. In other words, we need creative, empirically informed philosophical inquiry into what technological artifacts do in shaping students' subjectivity.

Your profile

We aim to hire a highly motivated, enthusiastic researcher who is driven by curiosity and has/is:

-or will shortly acquire, Master's degree or equivalent in philosophy, with demonstrable specialization in philosophy of technology and/or philosophy of education;

Passionate about taking technological artifacts, systems and infrastructures seriously and philosophically investigating the active role they play in our lives;

An interest in empirically informed philosophy, and enthusiasm to do their own empirical investigations;

Able to do independent research and willing to develop writing and publication skills;

Possess good communication skills and an excellent command of English.

The following qualifications are desired, but are not required to apply:

Affinity with philosophy of technology, especially on the role that concrete technologies play in daily life;

Demonstrable interest in questions of subjectivity, character and education;

Affinity and/or experience with empirical methods in philosophy (e.g., the use of interviews, focus groups or ethnographic observation).

Our offer

We encourage high responsibility and independence, while collaborating with colleagues, researchers, other university staff and partners. We follow the terms of employment by the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Universities (CAO). Our offer contains: a fulltime 4-year PhD position with a qualifier in the first year; excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities; and a personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. It also includes:

Gross monthly salary of € 2.770 in the first year, increasing each year up to € 3.539 in the fourth year;

Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;

29 holidays per year in case of full-time employment;

A training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;

A green campus with free access to sports facilities and an international scientific community;

A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);

A full status as an employee at the UT, including pension, health care benefits and good secondary conditions are part of our collective labour agreement CAO-NU for Dutch universities.

Information and application

Interested in joining our team? Please submit your application before 8 april 2024 and include:

A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, and motivations to apply for this position;

A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades acquired, and, if applicable, an overview of publications and references;

A sample of your own academic writing that is representative of your skill, approach and style (~500-1000 words)

To be eligible for the position, applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English must present an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet, TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) scoring at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).

If you are not exempt and already have such a test available, include it in the application. Otherwise, we expect to receive it before the first round of interviews.

Additional information can be acquired via email from Dr. Jan Peter Bergen ([email protected]).

About the department

The UT's philosophy section is internationally established in the philosophy and ethics of technology (https: // www. utwente.nl/en/bms/wijsb/). It also participates in the interuniversity 4TU.Center for Ethics and Technology (www. ethicsandtechnology.eu). Both the section and the Center have a strong international orientation and include members from many different nationalities.

About the organisation

The Faculty of Behavioral, Management and Social sciences (BMS) aims to play a key role in understanding, jointly developing and evaluating innovations in society. Technological developments are the engine of innovation. As a technical university that puts people first, we tailor them to human needs and behavior and use social engineering to integrate them into society. We also ensure adequate governance at public and private level, and robust, inclusive and fair organizational structures. We do this by developing, sharing and applying high-quality knowledge in Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communication Sciences, Philosophy, Educational Sciences and Health Sciences. Our research and education in these disciplines revolves around tackling and solving societal challenges. The research programs of BMS are closely linked to the research of the UT institutes Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.

As an employer, the Faculty of BMS offers work that matters. We equip you to create new possibilities for yourself and for our society. With us, you will become part of a leading technical university with increasing, positive social impact. We offer an open, inclusive and entrepreneurial atmosphere, in which we encourage you to make healthy choices, for example through our flexible, adaptable benefits.

Want to know more? Bergen, J.P. (Jan Peter)

Assistant Professor

Bergen, J.P. (Jan Peter)

Assistant Professor

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Then you can contact Jan Peter for all substantive questions about this position and the application procedure. For general questions about working for the UT, please refer to the chatbot.

Contact

Phone:+31534899983

Email:[email protected]

How to apply Step 1

Apply. When you see a vacancy that appeals to you, you can apply online. We ask you to upload a CV and motivation letter and/or list of publications. You will receive a confirmation of receipt by e-mail.

Step 2

Selection. The selection committee will review your application and you will receive a response within 2 weeks after the vacancy has been closed.

Step 3

1st interview. The 1st (online or in person) meeting serves as an introduction where we introduce ourselves to you and you to us. You may be asked to give a short presentation. This will be further explained in the invitation.

Step 4

2nd interview. In the second interview, we will further discuss the job content, your skills and your talents.

Step 5

The offer. If the conversations are positive, you will be made a suitable offer. If applicable, we will sign you up for screening.

Your Colleagues

Aydin, C. (Ciano)

Personal page

Our mission Human Touch

At the UT it's all about people, in line with our university's High Tech Human Touch philosophy. In everything we do, the well-being and future of our students and staff are paramount. From research and teaching to personnel management, campus management and the use of new technologies.

Our mission We are a university of technology

Our university is a public institution that serves society. We are accountable to society for the ways in which we use our academic freedom. We are responsible for ensuring that the power of science and technology is harnessed to achieve the best possible impact in a changing world. We cherish our rich tradition of combining technical and social sciences in our five profiling themes: Improving healthcare by personalized technologies; Creating intelligent manufacturing systems; Shaping our world with smart materials; Engineering our digital society; and Engineering for a resilient world.

Our mission We help to strengthen society

We help society meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. But we are also transparent about what science and technology can and cannot do in finding sustainable solutions. And help translate these solutions into everyday life.

Our mission We are sustainable

We want our communities to flourish and show resilience, so we seize opportunities for innovation. We are knowledgeable and have an eye for what society needs. Our students and staff receive all the guidance they need in their quest for ecological, social and economic sustainability. “The University of Twente is all about people. Our sustainable technologies help to strengthen society.”

Browse all jobs