Context of the chair
We are looking for an experienced candidate who specializes in Practical Philosophy, particularly with a focus on Ethics. The candidate works in a core area of ethics in a manner that is distinctly grounded in and in conversation with practical questions and societal structures. They specialise in theoretical and critical work in ethics, while reflectively engaging with societal, political, and practical themes. Qualified applicants are internationally acclaimed researchers, who hold demonstrable expertise in ethical theory, while reflecting on values and normative frameworks pertinent to contemporary societal conditions. The successful postholder has a strong international profile and networks, and a background in interdisciplinary collaborations.

Lines of specialisation that we are interested in include, though are not limited to:

• Feminist ethics
• Climate/environmental ethics
• Medical ethics
• Topics relevant for the Faculty of Humanities Sectorplan themes (such as ethical questions concerning human(e) AI, cultural heritage and identity, language and cultures, and digital citizenship).

Given the significance of ethical reflection across philosophy, the humanities, and other academic disciplines, the ability to connect fundamental questions in ethics with themes beyond the Chair’s specific area of research is a key asset.

The successful candidate will be the chair of the Capacity Group Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPA). PPA examines classical questions in the area of practical philosophy, such as the foundations of ethics and sociopolitical philosophy, in light of contemporary problems and ongoing societal and public debates. It is one of the four capacity groups that make up the Department of Philosophy, alongside Critical Cultural Theory, Logic & Language, and Philosophical Tradition in Context. Overall, the Department of Philosophy has around 50 permanent and temporary staff members, whose philosophical interests and expertise are wide-ranging and cross disciplinary boundaries.

Additional desirable qualities include: the ability to combine different philosophical approaches in/on ethics; the ability to connect historical and contemporary debates; and the ability to consider debates in practical philosophy from perspectives relevant for social and cultural considerations around (though not limited to) science and technology, and/or postcolonial/decolonial, critical race, feminist, Global South, and/or non-ableist perspectives.

Teaching
The successful candidate will teach in a dynamic environment with ample opportunities to develop innovative teaching methods. Together with colleagues, they will play a key role in overseeing and supporting the coordination of large introductory BA courses in ethics and practical philosophy within the Department of Philosophy, as well as various minors that include components of practical philosophy. The postholder will teach courses in ethics at the BA level. They will oversee the development and staffing of the MA course offerings taught by members of the PPA capacity group. This programme consists of research-intensive courses in the field of practical philosophy, including ethics, political and social philosophy, critical theory, philosophy of technology, and philosophy of race, gender, class, and intersectionality. The candidate will teach an MA course in their field of research and supervise and assess a number of MA theses each year. Additional opportunities for involvement in tutoring, guest lecturing, and other educational activities will also be available. You will teach in English and (in due time) also in Dutch.

Research
The research of the successful candidate will be embedded in the Amsterdam School of Cultural Analysis (ASCA), one of the five research schools of the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research. The postholder is expected to initiate and maintain broad interdisciplinary collaborations with researchers within the Faculty of Humanities and the UvA, leading to individual or consortium applications for research funding (e.g. ERC, NWO, NWA). The candidate will provide innovative new research impulses for ASCA and the Faculty of Humanities. Since ethical questions and issues are important for numerous disciplines, the postholder should have a demonstrable ability to establish productive connections with other disciplines both within and beyond the department. Many of these issues pertain to the themes outlined in the ‘Sectorplan’ for Humanities in Dutch universities, such as AI and cultural identities. It is desirable that the successful candidate is able to contribute to these themes in a productive manner. Moreover, as new ethical questions emerge in response to societal developments, the postholder should have a disciplinary outlook that enables them to connect ethical discussions to questions addressed more broadly in practical philosophy.

Leadership
The successful candidate will chair the Capacity Group Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPA), which has seven permanent staff members, and a number of temporary lecturers. In this role, they are expected to have regular meetings with the Head of Department and the Chairs of the other three capacity groups. Each year, the successful candidate will coordinate the assignment of teaching tasks within the group in consultation with staff, BA and MA directors, and the administration. Leadership responsibilities also include assuming additional roles within the department (e.g., Head of Department), as well as various roles within the Faculty of Humanities and ASCA. Given the Faculty’s commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment for staff and students, the successful candidate should demonstrate organisational sensitivity and an appropriate leadership style.