PhD Research Fellow in Philosophy – Tromsø, Norway

A PhD position is available at the Department of Philosophy and First Semester Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education with the Ethics Reserach Group (ERG). The position will also be loosely affiliated with the research project PROFOUND at the Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) in the academic year 2023/24 and to any follow-up projects in later years.

The focus of ERG is different theoretical challenges and problems pertaining to the normative authority of ethics and morality and the role morality/ethics may have in our lives. The aim of all ethical inquiry is an ambitious one: namely, to answer the issue of how one should live one’s life. The Group’s aim is to contribute to answering this fundamental question by address its theoretical underpinnings. The Group approaches these questions from a wide range of theoretical perspectives, both contemporary and historical. Given that the aim of all ethical inquiry is the question of how one ought to live, an important aspect of our work is also to apply theories and results to normative- and ethical issues: thereby contributing to both normative ethics and -theory construction, more generally, as well as to what one may label as applied ethics.

The objective of the position is to complete research training to the level of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and the programme period starts on commencement of the position. The PhD fellow position is for a period of three years and full time studies with the possibility of an extension of the appointment period. If the doctoral dissertation is submitted for appraisal within 3 years or within 3.5 years, the PhD candidate is qualified for a completion grant for either 12 or 6 months. The completion grant should be used to further qualification measures such as courses in teaching in higher education, lecturing and other relevant work at the faculty. More information about the completion grant scheme can be found here.

The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start in the position within a reasonable time after receiving the offer.

The position’s field of research

The focus of PROFOUND is to address a fundamental problem in ethics: conflicts between moral and prudential reasons. The Standard View is that one can resolve such conflicts by comparing the relative strengths of reasons, and by this type of weighing determine what we ought to do all things considered. However, little work has been done to tell us in what way, if any, such comparisons can be made and weights assigned. PROFOUND will challenge the Standard View and the weighing model for determining what we ought to do. PROFOUND will also be constructively concerned to examine and provide alternatives to the Standard View.

The more specified PhD project should relate to one or more of the following themes:

1.     Conflicts among reasons: what are reasons, what kind of reasons are there and how do we adjudicate in their conflict?

2.     Prudence (self-interest) and morality: what are they (their nature and status) and how do they relate (if at all)?

3.     Prudential-moral conflict and the challenge of climate change: Does prudence constraint climate action? How? Is this a legitimate constraint? What does morality require?

4.     Other applications of the conflict between prudence and morality: are there other important areas of life where the conflict plays a central role? If so, how can the conflict be handled?

The project should be situated within contemporary ethics, broadly understood (that is, encompassing applied, normative and meta-ethics, as well as moral and political philosophy). We are also open to projects that are informed by relevant empirical research in the social and natural sciences, although the main theoretical framework should be within philosophy. Any philosophical approach is accepted and connection to other philosophical disciplines as well as to scientific disciplines other than philosophy are welcome.

The applicants must present a description outlining the academic basis of the PhD project. The project description must be written in english and not exceed a total of nine pages, literature references included. It must include a description of the topic, research question(s) and a reasoning of the choices. It should also indicate the methodologies to be used. The final project description will be developed in cooperation with the supervisor. Template for project description can be found here.

Contact

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Attila Tanyi:

• email: attila.g.tanyi@uit.no

Qualifications

The position requires a Masters’ degree or equivalent in philosophy or other relevant disciplines. Applicants must also be able to document fluency in English and be able to work in an international environment. Nordic applicants can document their English capabilities by attaching their high school diploma.

In the assessment, the emphasis is on the applicant’s potential to complete a research education based on the master’s thesis or equivalent, and any other scientific work. In addition, other experience of significance for the completion of the doctoral programme may be given consideration.

We will also emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position. We are looking for candidates who:

• Have good collaboration skills
• Have good communication and interaction with colleagues and students
• Wants to contribute to a good working environment

As many poeple as possible should have the opportunity to undertake organized research training. If you already hold a PhD or have equivalent competence, we will not appoint you to this position.

Admission to the PhD programme

For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.

Admission normally requires:

• A bachelor’s degree of 180 ECTS and a master’s degree of 120 ECTS, or an integrated master’s degree of 300 ECTS.
• A master’s thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 30 ECTS for a master’s degree of 120 ECTS.
• A master’s thesis with a scope corresponding to at least 20 ECTS for an integrated master’s degree of 300 ECTS.

UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

All applicants should have a grade point average of B (or equivalent) on their master’s degree in order to be admitted to the PhD programme. The grade point average also applies to 300 ECTS points integrated five-year master’s degrees, in which all courses are to be included in the grade point average. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here.

Applicants with a foreign education will be subjected to an evaluation of whether the educational background is equal to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines from NOKUT. Depending on which country the education is from, one or two additional years of university education may be required to fulfil admission requirements, e.g. a 4-year bachelor’s degree and a 2-year master’s degree.

Inclusion and diversity

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity are a strength, and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.

If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite at least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.

We offer

• Good career opportunities
• A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund
• PhD Fellows are normally given a salary of 532 200 NOK/year with a 3% yearly increase

Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme which also include health care services.

More practical information about working and living in Norway can be found here: https://uit.no/staffmobility

Application

Your application must include:

• Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests
• CV
• Diploma for bachelor’s and master’s degree
• Transcript of grades/academic record for bachelor’s and master’s degree
• Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• References with contact information
• Master’s thesis, and any other academic works (published or unpublished) that you wish to be taken into account in the assessment
• Project description (5-10 pages)

All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Diplomas and transcripts must also be submitted in the original language, if not in English or Scandinavian. If English proficiency is not documented in the application, it must be documented before starting in the position. We only accept applications and documentation sent via Jobbnorge within the application deadline.

General information

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants.

Remuneration for the position of PhD Fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted. You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which gives you many benefits in addition to a lifelong pension: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you become insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you can get good terms on a mortgage. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no.

A shorter period of appointment may be decided when the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training programme or when the appointment is based on a previous qualifying position PhD Fellow, research assistant, or the like in such a way that the total time used for research training amounts to three years.

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to the Personal Data Act information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication, if you have requested non-disclosure.

Charter & Code – Torger Grytå

Eallju – Developing the High North

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is a multi-campus comprehensive university at the international forefront. Our vision is to be a driving force for developing the High North. The Northern Sami notion eallju, which means eagerness to work, sets the tone for this motive power at UiT. Along with students, staff and the wider community, we aim to utilise our location in Northern Norway and Sápmi, our broad and diverse research and study portfolio and interdisciplinary advantage to shape the future.

Our social mission is to provide research-based education of high quality, perform artistic development and carry out research of the highest international quality standards in the entire range from basic to applied. We will convey knowledge about disciplines and contribute to innovation. Our social mission unites UiT across various studies, research fields and large geographical distances. This demands good cooperation with trade and industry and civil society as well as with international partners. We will strengthen knowledge-based and sustainable development at a regional, national and international level.

Academic freedom and scientific and ethical principles form the basis for all UiT’s activities. Participation, co-determination, transparency and good processes will provide the decision-making basis we need to make wise and far-sighted priorities. Our students and staff will have the opportunity to develop their abilities and potential. Founded on academic integrity, we will be courageous, committed and generous in close contact with disciplines, people and contemporary developments.

We will demonstrate adaptability and seek good and purposeful utilisation of resources, so we are ready to meet the expectations and opportunities of the future. We will strengthen the quality and impact of our disciplines and core tasks through the following three strategic priority areas.