The Institute of Philosophy at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences seeks applications for a
Junior Professorship (m/f/x) in Ethics of Digitalisation (salary scale W1 with tenure track)
The professorship is to be filled as soon as possible.
It is funded by the Tenure Track Programme of the German Federal Government and the Federal States, supporting junior scientists. Pending fulfilment of the applicable employment laws, the fixed- term contract granting temporary civil servant status will initially be limited to a period of three years and may be extended by a further three years, subject to a positive evaluation. At the end of this period, appointment to a tenured professorship at W2 level is intended in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions. Candidates should be in the early stages of their career.
The core task of the professorship is to detect and philosophically reflect the ethical problems that are connected, in society as a whole, with the rising digital technologies. It thereby strengthens the profile of the University of Oldenburg within the scope of digitalisation. Both knowledge of the normative theories to be critically applied and knowledge of the technologies to which these theories are applied are required. Theories include not only those developed with an eye toward digital technologies but also fundamental moral theories (deontology, utilitarianism, virtue ethics) as well as philosophical theories of society, democracy and justice. Technologies include, for example, AI-based automation processes, which are already in the focus of research in Oldenburg (in the areas of locomotion, health and energy).
Moreover, an above-average scientific university degree and an above-average PhD are required, with at least one of these degrees being obtained in philosophy or a related discipline (e.g., Philosophy, Politics and Economics; Media, Technology and Society). Scientific excellence has to be demonstrated, inter alia, by publications in international peer-reviewed journals. Relevant teaching experience and raising of third-party funds are desired.
The University of Oldenburg offers the successful candidate a variety of scientific cooperation partners on site and at the nearby Universities of Bremen, Osnabrück and Hannover. Within the University of Oldenburg, partners are to be found in the Research Centre ‘Human-Cyber-Physical Systems’ and the PhD Programme ‘Shaping the Future. Transformation of the Present through Scenarios of Digitalisation’.
The successful candidate has to provide teachings for the practical-philosophy modules of the BA, MA and MEd courses of study in Philosophy and Values and Norms, the latter being a school subject in Lower Saxony. Furthermore, the successful candidate is to contribute, in cooperation with the social sciences and computer sciences, to the establishment of an MA and a BA course of studies and to support these courses with teachings. As the University of Oldenburg and the University of Bremen are bound by a cooperation agreement, active participation in the cooperation is expected.
Prerequisites for employment are specified in section 30 of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (NHG). The University aims to increase its proportion of female professors and strongly encourages female scientists to apply. Equally qualified female candidates will be considered preferentially. In case of equal aptitude, applicants with disabilities will be given priority in hiring decisions. The position is suitable for part-time employment.
Applications include a full curriculum vitae, certificates, lists of publications, talks and courses, an account of present and previous third-party funded research activities, research and teaching concepts and a selection of publications. The selection of publications should include a monograph and three articles. Furthermore, the following documents are necessary: ‘Profile Sheet W1’ and ‘Query on examination and supervision phases W1’ (https://uol.de/fk4/formulare). Preferably, applications are submitted in electronic version by 30.08.2023 to Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Fakultät IV, Dekanin Prof. Dr. Dagmar Freist, berufungen-fk4@uol.de.