Logic List Mailing Archive

Postdoctoral position (80% for 3 years) in Philosophy of Technology, Eindhoven (The Netherlands); Deadline: 13 April 2007

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The Department of Technology Management of the Technische Universiteit
Eindhoven

has a vacancy for a

Postdoc in Philosophy and Ethics of Technology (0.8 fte)

Modelling of responsibility in R&D networks

V39.421

within the subdepartment of History, Philosophy and Technology Studies
(AW).

Project description
In the NWO research project Moral responsibility in R&D networks, we  
propose to study the tension between two requirements for a desirable  
distribution of responsibilities in R&D networks, viz. completeness  
and fairness. The goal of the research is to gain insight in how to  
reconcile these two requirements to contribute to the solution of the  
problem of many hands in R&D networks. Three subprojects will be  
carried out to attain this goal. In the subproject of the present  
vacancy, Modelling of Responsibility in R&D networks, the theory of  
an existing formal model for responsibility will be applied and  
extended to investigate the influence of the organizational structure  
of an R&D network on the extent to which a distribution of  
responsibilities is complete and fair. The aim of this project is to  
provide a formal characterization and assessment of the various  
notions of responsibility developed in the other subprojects of the  
NWO research project. More information about the project is available  
from:  http://www.ethicsandtechnology.eu,

Requirements
The candidate will have excellent analytical abilities, a  
demonstrable interest in the ethical and social aspects of  
engineering practice. The candidate should be competent in  
contemporary philosophy or philosophical logic as is apparent from  
relevant publications. A requirement is a completed PhD in analytical  
philosophy or logic. A background in engineering sciences or natural  
sciences is desirable but not necessary. Knowledge of the Dutch  
language is not required.

Appointment and salary
We offer:
       a temporary appointment (0.8 fte) for a period of 3 years;

       a gross monthly salary of EUR 2279,= up to EUR 3597,= depending  
on the personal experience;

       a broad package of fringe benefits (including an excellent  
technical infrastructure, savings schemes and excellent sports  
facilities).

As part of an equal opportunity scheme, women are explicitly  
requested to apply.

Information
More information about the content of the project is available from  
mr.dr.ir. Lambr Royakkers, phone +31 40 2474693, e-mail  
l.m.m.royakkers@tue.nl. For information about conditions of  
employment you may contact ir. Marc Roelands, personnel officer,  
phone +31 40 2474886, e-mail: pz@tm.tue.nl.

The Department of Technology Management (TM) offers a BSc in  
Industrial Engineering and Management Science (Technische  
Bedrijfskunde), a BSc in Innovation Sciences (Technische  
Innovatiewetenschappen), a BSc in Industrial Engineering for Health  
Care, and MSc programmes in Innovation Management, Operations  
Management and Logistics, Technology and Policy, and Human Technology  
Interaction. Education and research in the department focus on the  
development and use of technology in a business and society oriented  
context. Research is design and application oriented, based on  
fundamental scientific insights and methods.

The subdepartment History, Philosophy and Technology Studies (AW)  
offers a range of university-wide courses in the fields of history of  
technology, philosophy and ethics of technology, and technology and  
sustainability studies. Its mission is to contribute to a reflective  
attitude of engineering students with regard to the development and  
use of technology. General information on the subdepartment can be  
found at:
http://w3.tm.tue.nl/en/subdepartments/aw/general_information/

The postdoc position is carried out within the Section of Philosophy  
and Ethics of Technology of the Subdepartment AW. The Section is a  
dynamic group consisting of 12 persons. In an open atmosphere they  
work together on the philosophical reflection on the nature of  
technology and of the engineering sciences. According to the recent  
international assessment of research in philosophy in the Netherlands  
(1999-2004), the section of Philosophy and Ethics of Technology can  
claim to be pre-eminent. The score on all four criteria of the  
assessment (quality, productivity, relevance, and viability) was  
"excellent" (top grade).
See also for information about the philosophy group and its research  
program:
http://w3.tm.tue.nl/en/subdepartments/aw/research/ 
philosophyethics_of_technology

The research will be accommodated at the 3TU Centre for Ethics and  
Technology. It is a collaboration of the philosophy sections of the  
three Dutch Universities of Technology. The research programs of the  
three participating departments of philosophy are all focused on  
research in the philosophy of science, technology and engineering and  
are recognized as internationally leading in their field.  More  
information is available from: http://www.ethicsandtechnology.eu

Application
Interested candidates are requested to send their motivated  
application together with a recent curriculum vitae to:
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
Department of Technology Management
Personnel Department, Pav R.1.23
PO Box 513
5600 MB  Eindhoven
The Netherlands

You are allowed to send your application by e-mail: pz@tm.tue.nl.  
Applications should be received by
April 13th 2007. Please include the job vacancy code: V39.421.