Postdoc for project Wellbeing and Virtual Worlds

The Department of Design, Media and Educational Science (Philosophy) invites applications for a 2-year postdoc position on the topic of values and wellbeing in relation to digital technology. The position is part of the collaborative research project Wellbeing and Virtual Worlds, funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark and is available from Dec. 1., 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.
The Department of Design, Media and Educational Science (Philosophy) invites applications for a 2-year postdoc position on the topic of values and wellbeing in relation to digital technology. The position is part of the collaborative research project Wellbeing and Virtual Worlds, funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark and is available from Dec. 1., 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Department of Design, Media and Educational Science is committed to diversity and encourages all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their personal background.

The project aims at examining the fundamental premises behind assessments of the quality of life in virtual worlds and contributing to a more nuanced understanding of life in virtual spaces. It combines philosophical value theory with empirical studies of user experiences and the interplay between online and offline activities. It is a collaborative project between SDU and the University of Aarhus (Department of Public Health).

The postdoc will contribute to the subproject “A theory of wellbeing for virtual and blended spaces”. Their central task will be to identify and normatively analyze factors that are particularly relevant to wellbeing in online interactions, and to design concepts particularly apt for studying and communicating about digital wellbeing. Qualifications in practical philosophy, especially wellbeing and value theory, and/or conceptual engineering, are thus particularly relevant.

Ideas for specific subtopics or focuses should be submitted with the application, and the postdoc will have opportunity to pursue their own special interests within the framework of the project. They should, however, also be willing to develop their ideas in collaboration with the other project members and contribute to joint work within the project, including joint publications and work related to the empirical parts of the project.

The SDU DME Philosophy Section is internationally very well connected and has a strong profile in both basic research (especially epistemology, value theory, ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of mind and phenomenology) and applied philosophy (e.g. philosophy of health, philosophy and climate change, philosophy of education and philosophy of technology). It has attracted a substantial amount of external funding in recent years and is strongly involved in interdisciplinary collaboration.

For further information about the position, the Wellbeing and Virtual Worlds project, and the SDU Philosophy Section, feel free to contact Head of project professor Søren Harnow Klausen ([email protected]).

Applicants will be expected to have a documented working level of written and spoken English.

The position is a pure research position with no teaching duties.

Application, salary and conditions of employment
The employment as postdoc is temporary (2 years). Employment stops automatically by the end of the period. An upgrade of pedagogical qualifications is not part of the position. Thus, employment as postdoc cannot stand alone as a qualification for later employment as associate professor/senior researcher.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations), Cirkulære om overenskomst for Akademikere i staten 2021 (the document only exists in Danish).

The application must include:

• Cover letter (max. 1 page)
• Project description and research plan (max. 4 pages)
• Curriculum Vitae with applicant's e-mail and phone number
• Documentation of qualifications (examination certificates/PhD diploma, etc.)
• Complete list of publications indicating the publications attached
• Applicants may choose a maximum of two publications for assessment

Application and all appendices must be in Danish, English or one of the Scandinavian languages. Please always include a copy of original diploma/certificates. We only accept files in pdf-format no more than 10 MB per file. In case you have more than one file per field you need to combine the pdf-files into a single file, as each field handles only one file. We do not accept zip-files, jpg or other image files. All pdf-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee and the applicant will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns him/her. The assessment report will subsequently be forwarded to the Head of Department who will assemble an appointments committee. An interview may form part of the overall assessment of the applicants' qualifications.

The committee may request additional information, and if so, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the necessary material.

If the application does not meet the requirements mentioned above, the Faculty of Humanities may reject your application without further notice. Applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

Shortlisting and tests may be used in the assessment process. Please note that only a shortlisted applicant will receive an assessment. Here you can read more about shortlisting at SDU.

Applications should be sent electronically via the link "apply online" and the Faculty expects applicants to read the information "How to apply" before applying.

We recommend that as an international applicant you take the time to visit Working in Denmark where you will find information and facts about moving to, working and living in Denmark, as well as the International Staff Office at SDU.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Ansøgningsfrist 25. september 2024 kl. 23.59

Placering: Odense, Denmark