[Air-L] PhD position: “Cultural, Political and Religious Ideologies and the Appraisal of New Media”

[Johnny Søraker]

The Department of Philosophy of the University of Twente in the
Netherlands is looking for a
Ph.D. Student (M/F, full time)
for the project “Cultural, Political and Religious Ideologies and the
Appraisal of New Media”

The PhD position is part of a prestigious and exciting international
research project in philosophy named “Evaluating the Cultural Quality of
New Media”. This five-year project, which includes six researchers and
involves collaboration with leading international scholars and research
centres, has as its aim to develop a framework for better normative
analyses of new media and new media culture, especially in relation to
their contribution to the quality of life (“the good life”) and the
quality of society. Project leader is Prof. Dr. Philip Brey. The project
is part of a new international Centre of Excellence in Ethics and
Technology (http://www.ethicsandtechnology.eu) of the departments of
philosophy of Twente University, Delft University of Technology and
Eindhoven University of Technology.

Objectives
The aim of the PhD project is to perform a study of interpretations and
evaluations of new media and their consequences that are made by
representatives of major ideologies or worldviews, with the aim of
assessing how they relate to conceptions of the good life and the good
society held by these ideologies.  It will involve a study of liberal,
communitarian, conservative, religious and post materialist evaluations
of new media, and the assessment of what the benefits and harms of new
media cultures are and how these can be evaluated within these
ideologies.  It will also provide normative critiques of current
ideological stances regarding new media.

Profile
A Master’s degree or equivalent degree in philosophy, preferably with a
background in ethics and/or social or political philosophy.

Consideration will also be given to candidates with a multidisciplinary
Master’s degree on a topic relevant to the project and some background
in philosophy, and to exceptional (international) candidates with only a
bachelor’s degree in philosophy.

Demonstrable interest in philosophical issues relating to information
technology and new media (but previous work in this area not required).
Good analytical skills. Good communication skills in English, in writing
as well as orally. Good team spirit.  Creativity, open-mindedness, and
an ability to develop new ideas.

Offer
A four-year full-time Ph.D. position, preferably starting April 1, 2008.
The gross salary is € 2.000,- in the first year going up to € 2.558,- in
the fourth year (€ 27.456,- and € 35.699,- per annum, respectively,
including vacation pay and end-of-year bonus). The position also comes
with a personal budget of € 8.000,- for travel and conference attendance.

Information and application
A description of the PhD project, the overall project of which it is a
part and a FAQ can be retrieved from http://www.ceptes.nl/vici.
Applicants are advised to read these texts before applying. For
questions not answered on the website please contact the project leader,
Prof. dr. Philip Brey (e-mail: p.a.e.brey at utwente.nl).

Your application should contain the following documents: a letter of
application which explains your interest in the position and your
qualifications for it, as well as some suggestions on how you would want
to approach the project you apply for; a curriculum vitae which includes
the name and e-mail address/telephone number of one of your professors,
preferably the supervisor of your master’s thesis; a copy of your
thesis; copies of publications, if any; an academic transcript that
contains a list of subjects taken and grades received (this may be an
unofficial version or scanned copy; we can request the original later).

Your application can be sent before March 7, 2008 by e-mail (preferred)
or by normal post to dr. ir. J.F.C. Verberne (e-mail:
pz-gw at gw.utwente.nl), managing director of the Faculty of Behavioural
Sciences, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, the
Netherlands. Vacancy number: 08/035.

Job interviews will be held on March 13 and/or 14, 2008. Women are
strongly encouraged to apply.