Postdoctoral positions at the Center for Philosophy and the Health Sciences, Department of Philosophy and History of Ideas, Aarhus University

The Department of Philosophy and History of Ideas, School of Culture and Society, Faculty of Arts, Aarhus University invites applications for two fixed-term postdoctoral positions in philosophy, each lasting two to three years.

The positions are full-time (37 hours/week) and begins on 01.01.2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Aarhus University is keen for its staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified applicants regardless of their personal background.

Research context

We are looking for innovative, postdoctoral researchers with a background in philosophy or psychology, specialising in epistemology and/or philosophy of psychiatry. The successful applicant will be part of a project on epistemic rationality, mental disorder and stigmatization (funded by the Velux Foundation), led by PI Professor Somogy Varga and will be conducted in collaboration with Co-PIs Associate Professor Anke Büter (Work Packages 1&2) and Professor Asbjørn Steglich-Petersen (Work Packages 2&3). The research will be anchored at the Center for Philosophy and the Health Sciences, at the Department of Philosophy and History of Ideas, Aarhus University. The project aims to enhance our understanding of forms of irrationality identified by scholarly literature as significant in diagnosing and explaining mental disorders. It will seek to develop an integrated perspective on epistemic rationality, reevaluate the connection between rationality and mental health, and contribute to both understanding and mitigating stigmatization.

The position

The successful applicant is expected to:

• develop their research within the general framework of the project, in close cooperation with the project team
• present their research at national and international events and publish results in peer-reviewed, international scientific journals in a timely fashion
• actively participate in the daily on-site working environment at Aarhus University
• collaborate with team members, for instance by co-authoring articles and reviewing relevant literature
• initiate and help to organise research workshops, conferences and other such activities
• be willing to contribute to team-taught courses.

Qualifications and requirements

Applicants for this position must hold a PhD degree in philosophy or be at PhD level, and must be able to document:

• expertise in the research topic
• an international and relevant research profile of high international quality
• the ability and willingness to engage in close collaboration with the team and the local research environment, and
• fluency in written and spoken English.

Ideally, applicants should also be able to document:

• experience of conference organisation, and
• experience of editorial work.

In view of this, applicants are asked to submit:

• a project description (maximum three pages) in which they indicate how they will contribute to the overall project. The project description should ideally demonstrate excellent knowledge of the relevant philosophical and empirical literature
• a concise statement of motivation for applying for the position (maximum one page), and 
• a maximum of five publications or submitted papers (please note that a list of publications is not enough, the papers must be uploaded with the application).
• a teaching portfolio
• professional references or recommendations should not be included. Applicants who are selected for an interview may be asked to provide professional references.

The application must be submitted in English.

For further information about the position, please contact PI Professor Somogy Varga at varga@cas.au.dk. For more information about the application and the employment procedure, please contact HR supporter Helle Sindal, e-mail hsi@au.dk

The work environment

The Department of Philosophy and History of Ideas at Aarhus University is the largest of its type in Denmark, and – owing in particular to the productive tension between the systematic and historical perspectives – the research conducted is characterised by an undogmatic and open-minded worldview. The researchers are involved in a variety of interdisciplinary projects both within and outside the Faculty of Arts.

Read more here: https://cas.au.dk/en/about-the-school/departments/philosophy-and-history-of-ideas/

School of Culture and Society

At the School of Culture and Society the object of research and teaching is the interplay between culture and society in time and space:

- From the traditional disciplines of the humanities and theology to applied social research
- From Antiquity to the issues facing contemporary societies
- From local questions to global challenges.

The school’s goal is to produce compelling research with an international resonance, as well as offering teaching and talent development of high quality. The school has a broad cooperative interface with society, both in Denmark and abroad, and contributes to social innovation, research communication and further and continuing education. 

International applicants

International applicants are encouraged to check Family and work-life balance and Attractive working conditions for further information about the benefits of working at Aarhus University and in Denmark, including healthcare, paid holidays and, if relevant, maternity/paternity leave, childcare and schooling. Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including a relocation service and career counselling for expat partners. For information about taxation, see Taxation aspects of international researchers’ employment by AU.

Read more at arts.au.dk/en

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.