Job Title:  Post-doctoral Researcher (f/m/d)

CEU is the lead institution in the recently awarded FWF Cluster of Excellence research project, Knowledge in Crisis. This is a collaboration between four institutions (CEU and the universities of Vienna, Graz and Salzburg) to explore fundamental philosophical questions about the nature of knowledge and its construction and consumption. The Cluster of Excellence initiative is part of the FWF’s largest ever research funding scheme. The Cluster investigates the current crisis of knowledge. Claims to knowledge are being threatened by rapid and spectacular developments in technology, and by attacks on the very ideas of knowledge and truth themselves. The aim of the Cluster is to advance our understanding of this crisis. It will explore fundamental philosophical questions about the nature of knowledge and investigate various challenges to scientific and other knowledge. In this pursuit it brings together philosophers working on metaphysics, ethics, political and social philosophy, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, and epistemology to jointly investigate the many facets of the crisis. 

More details may be found here: https://www.knowledgeincrisis.com 

The leader of the Cluster (the Director of Research) is Professor Tim Crane of the CEU Philosophy Department. When all the new academic appointments will be made, the Cluster will involve over 50 researchers. The overall budget of the Cluster is 15M euros over 5 years, to be distributed across the four institutions. 

CEU invites applications for one postdoctoral research fellow to work on some of the philosophical themes covered by the project. The postdoctoral fellow will join our team of two already appointed postdocs. We welcome applications from philosophers working in one or more of the following areas: 

• Epistemology 

• Philosophy of Mind and Psychology 

• Philosophy of Language 

• Philosophy of Science 

• Social and Political Philosophy 

• Ethics 

Our final appointment decision will depend on the suitability and quality of the applicant. 

Duties and Responsibilites 

• Conduct independent research in one or more of the areas listed above, in the context of the project 

• Disseminate your research through publications in international peer-reviewed academic journals 

• Actively participate in the regular meetings and events of the Cluster of Excellence 

• Contribute to Cluster activities by organizing Cluster events (e.g., workshops, seminars, talks, summer schools) 

• Participate in outreach activities of the Cluster, and contribute to events aimed at the general public 

• Help with organizational tasks that are needed in the Cluster from time to time 

Qualifications 

• A PhD in philosophy (completed and submitted by the application deadline) 

• Excellent written and spoken English 

• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team 

• Willingness to take on a formative role in fostering a community across the Cluster 

• Willingness to take part in public outreach events (in English or German or both) 

• Organizational skills 

It is not essential for applicants to have publications, but published or forthcoming articles in good journals are likely to aid your application. 

While there are no teaching duties associated with these positions there may be opportunities to teach courses at CEU (for additional pay). All teaching at the CEU is in English. 

Each Postdoc will receive a small annual research allowance to help them with travel to conferences, etc. 

What CEU Offers 

We offer competitive remuneration of 66,542 EUR/year (gross) as well as a dynamic and international academic environment. The contract would be for three years. 

In addition to the salary, CEU offers a Resaver pension plan, Edenred vouchers for meal and lunch reimbursement, and access to various professional development opportunities. 

How to Apply 

Applicants need to submit the following (in PDF) on our application portal: 

1. A comprehensive CV, including: · a list of publications, if any; and · the names and contact details of three referees. Please name the file ‟<Your name> CV”; e.g., ‟Julia Gonzalez CV” 

2. A writing sample. Please name the file ‟<Your name> <Title or few words of the title> WS”; e.g., ‟Julia Gonzalez Explanatory Gap WS” 

3. A (2-3 page) cover letter describing the applicant’s research interests and their interest in being part of the project. Please name the file ‟<Your name> CEU cover letter”; e.g., ‟Julia Gonzalez CEU cover letter” 

CEU is an equal opportunity employer and values geographical and gender diversity, thus encouraging applications from women and/or other underrepresented groups. Since CEU strives to increase the share of women in professorial positions, given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female applicants. CEU recognizes that personal and family circumstances shape the trajectory of one’s career and working patterns. As such, and in line with CEU’s promotion of Equal Opportunities, we encourage applicants to detail periods of leave, part-time work or other such situations in their applications so that the Search Committee is able to assess an applicant’s academic record fairly in the context of their circumstances. Any declaration of personal and family circumstances is voluntary and will be handled confidentially and only considered in so far as it impacts on the academic career of an applicant.

About CEU

One of the world’s most international universities, a unique founding mission positions Central European University as both an acclaimed center for the study of economic, historical, social and political challenges, and a source of support for building open and democratic societies that respect human rights and human dignity. CEU is accredited in the United States and Austria, and offers English-language bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in the social sciences, the humanities, law, environmental sciences, management and public policy. CEU enrolls more than 1,400 students from over 100 countries, with faculty from over 50 countries.

In 2019, CEU relocated from Hungary to Austria as the Hungarian government revoked its ability to issue US-accredited degrees in the country. As a result, CEU offers all of its degree programs in Vienna, Austria; and retains a non-degree, research and civic engagement presence in Budapest, Hungary, through its CEU Democracy Institute, the Institute for Advanced Study, the CEU Summer University and The Vera and Donald Blinken Open Society Archives (OSA), and its Hungarian language public educational programs and public lectures.

For more information, please visit https://www.ceu.edu/.