Research Assistant Professor / Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Philosophy

Lingnan University, a distinctive liberal arts institution in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is committed to the provision of quality whole-person education by combining the best of Chinese and Western liberal arts traditions. It strives to pursue excellence in teaching, learning, scholarship and community engagement. With three academic Faculties and the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, it offers a wide range of undergraduate degree programmes in the areas of Arts, Business and Social Sciences, and the broad curriculum covers an array of general education, interdisciplinary and science courses. The School of Graduate Studies offers research and taught postgraduate programmes up to doctoral level in various disciplines, and provides professional education for the wider society. Lingnan’s liberal arts education is characterised by a broad-based interdisciplinary curriculum with specialised disciplinary studies; close student-staff relationship; a vibrant residential campus; ample global learning opportunities; active community engagement and multifarious workplace experience. Applications are now invited for the following posts:

Research Assistant Professor/ Postdoctoral Fellow – Philosophy of Contemporary & Future Science
Department of Philosophy
(Post Ref.: 23/324)

The Department of Philosophy at Lingnan University is one of the best in Asia. Faculty members publish in leading journals in the field, such as Analysis, Australasian Journal of Philosophy, British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, Ethics, Journal of Philosophical Logic, Mind, Noûs, Philosophers’ Imprint, Philosophical Quarterly, Philosophical Studies, Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, and Philosophy of Science. The department has a thriving PhD programme and also hosts several Postdoctoral Fellows/Research Assistant Professors.

More information on the research interests and publications of philosophers at Lingnan University can be found at: https://www.LN.edu.hk/philoso/?page_id=9.

General Requirements

Areas of Specialization:

Philosophy of Science; or Epistemology; or Philosophy of Biology or Chemistry or Physics

These posts arise in connection with a Senior Research Fellowship on ‘Philosophy of Contemporary and Future Science’ awarded to Professor Darrell Rowbottom, which runs from 2022–2027. Professor Rowbottom is now seeking One to Three Postdoctoral Fellows to join the project team over the course of two to three years.

Details on the project, which involves scientists working with philosophers, can be found at www.pocfs.org.

We are especially interested in candidates whose work connects with the natural sciences, and especially with recent developments therein (such as increased interdisciplinarity and the involvement of AI). However, we are open to considering other applicants with excellent research records and a clear, well-articulated, vision of how they can contribute to the project.

The appointees will work as part of the team headed by Professor Rowbottom. This will involve: (1) carrying out collaborative research (including with scientists); (2) authorship and co-authorship of papers suitable for publication in leading journals; (3) authorship and submission of derivative grant proposals to funding bodies; (4) organizing seminars, reading groups, workshops and other related research activities; (5) teaching occasional courses at undergraduate or postgraduate levels; (6) performing occasional outreach activities (such as lectures aimed at the general public); and (7) managing/updating the project website.

The teaching load will be one or two courses per year, distributed according to the departmental needs and upon mutual agreement. English will be the language of instruction.

Appointment

The minimum annual salary for the posts will be $432,000 HKD (which corresponds to 44,000 GBP and 55,000 USD at current exchange rates). A gratuity of approximately 130,000 HKD will be paid after two years of service. Please note that tax in Hong Kong is exceptionally low; for instance, income tax on the annual salary might be as low as 30,000 HKD. See https://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/ese/st_comp_2022_23/stcfrm.htm for a tax calculator.

Fringe benefits include annual leave, medical and dental benefits, mandatory provident fund, gratuity and incoming passage and baggage allowance (where appropriate). Appointments will normally be made on a contractual basis for two to three years. Suitably qualified applicants may be appointed with the functional title and role of ‘Research Assistant Professor’.

The appointment start date is flexible and can commence from January 2024 onwards.

Application Procedure (online application only)

Please click “Apply Now” to submit your application. Applicants shall provide names and contact information of at least three referees to whom applicants’ consent has been given for their providing references. Personal data collected will be used for recruitment purposes only.

Informal inquiries concerning the posts can be directed to Professor Rowbottom, at darrellrowbottom@ln.edu.hk.

We are an equal opportunities employer. Review of applications will continue until the posts are filled. Qualified candidates are advised to submit their applications early for consideration.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment for the posts advertised, or to fill the posts by invitation or by search. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.