PhD position, Department of Philosophy, University of Twente, Enschede (The Netherlands)
The PhD position is part of a prestigious and exciting international research project in philosophy named “Evaluating the Cultural Quality of New Media”. This five-year project, which includes six researchers and involves collaboration with leading international scholars and research centres, has as its aim to develop a framework for better normative analyses of new media and new media culture, especially in relation to their contribution to the quality of life (“the good life”) and the quality of society. Project leader is Prof. Dr. Philip Brey. The project is part of a new international center of excellence, the 3TU.Centre for Ethics and Technology
(http://www.ethicsandtechnology.eu) of the departments of philosophy of Twente University, Delft University of Technology and Eindhoven University of Technology.
Objectives
The aim of the PhD project is to perform a philosophical study of interpretations and evaluations of new media and their consequences that are made by representatives of major ideologies or worldviews, with the aim of assessing how they relate to conceptions of the good life and the good society held by these ideologies. It will involve a study of liberal, communitarian, conservative, religious and postmaterialist evaluations of new media, and the assessment of what the benefits and harms of new media cultures are and how these can be evaluated within these ideologies. It will also provide normative critiques of current ideological stances regarding new media.
Keywords: Ethics; political philosophy; the Good; well-being; welfarism; desire-satisfactionism; hedonism; objective list theories; perfectionism; capability theory; liberalism; communitarianism; consumerism; new media
Profile
A Master’s degree or equivalent degree in philosophy, preferably with a background in ethics and/or social or political philosophy. Consideration will also be given to exceptional (international) candidates with only a bachelor’s degree in philosophy.
In addition, demonstrable interest in issues relating to information technology and new media (but previous work in this area not required). Good analytical skills. Good communication skills in English, in writing as well as orally. Good team spirit. Creativity, open-mindedness, and an ability to develop new ideas.
Offer
A four-year full-time Ph.D. position. The gross salary is EUR 2.000,- in the first year going up to EUR 2.558,- in the fourth year (EUR 27.456,- and EUR 35.699,- per annum, respectively, including vacation pay and end-of-year bonus). The position also comes with a personal budget of EUR 8.000 - for travel and conference attendance.
Information and application
A description of the PhD project, the overall project of which it is a part and a FAQ can be retrieved from: http://www.ceptes.nl/vici Applicants are advised to read these texts before applying. For questions not answered on the website please contact the project leader, Prof. Dr. Philip Brey:
Your application should contain the following documents: a letter of application which explains your interest in the position and your qualifications for it, as well as some suggestions on how you would want to approach the project you apply for; a curriculum vitae which includes the name and e-mail address/telephone number of one of your professors, preferably the supervisor of your master’s thesis; a copy of your thesis; copies of publications, if any; an academic transcript that contains a list of subjects taken and grades received (this may be an unofficial version or scanned copy; we can request the original later).
Your application can be sent before March 7, 2008 by e-mail (preferred) or by normal post to:
Dr. ir. J.F.C. Verberne
Managing Director
Faculty of Behavioural Sciences
University of Twente
PO Box 217
NL-7500 AE Enschede
The Netherlands