Royal Military Academy – Research in Philosophy

Technical skills

• The candidate must already have been awarded the diploma of Master of Philosophy. The candidate must have obtained this degree with an overall percentage of at least 75%. For more explanation of admission requirements, see Doctoral Programme – Institute of Philosophy (kuleuven.be)
• The candidate must have demonstrated expertise in Experimental Philosophy;
• Specialization in Philosophy of Technology and (Military) Ethics is a plus;
• We are also open to applications from cognitive scientists with a demonstrated knowledge of philosophy;
• The goal is that the candidate obtains a PhD in Philosophy;
• The candidate is able to conduct academic research and to produce scientific output (papers and participation in scientific conferences);
• The candidate is able to organize scientific activities such as a conference and a seminar.

Personal skills

• He/she possesses analytical and synthetic skills, and a critical and creative approach;
• He/she has the ability to work independently and in group;
• He/she is able to execute research of a university level, inclusively the delivery of the scientific output;
• He/she has organizational skills, is resolute and can take initiative;
• He/she can translate the research results to a broader public;
• He/she has the ambition to conduct excellent and original top research;
• Capable of working in a military environment;
• Demonstrates organizational skills, decisiveness, and the ability to take initiative.

Other skills

• Because the research is situated and presented in an international context, the applicant shall have excellent knowledge of English (oral / written).
• Knowledge of Dutch and / or French is an added value.

Specific requirement

• The researcher may be exposed to classified information and will therefore have to obtain the required security clearance. The candidate must consent to the background check required to obtain this clearance, which will be executed by Belgian Defense.

Contract

• Probable date of recruitment: From 01 October 2024, in consultation with the applicant.
• Status: long-term contract, full-time job (38h/ week) with the Patrimony of the Royal Military Academy (you will not be a civil servant). Please do note that the financing of your contract is tied to the “HFM22-03” project (which lasts 4 years).
• Wage scale: NA11 (holders of a Master Degree). RMA-Patrimony applies a merit-based research career track, allowing researchers to advance in wage scale based upon annual evaluations.
• Holiday pay.

Extra-legal benefits

• Possibility of receiving a bilingualism allowance (Dutch/French) following a SELOR test;
• End-of-year bonus;
• Free DKV hospitalization insurance. Possibility of additional affiliation for one or more persons living under the same roof: spouse, child(ren) (50% of the price per additional member);
• Bike allowance / Free public transport (home-work commute);
• Meal vouchers (6€ / day);
• Free access to campus sports facilities outside working hours;
• On-campus restaurant and cafeteria with democratic prices (discount on the daily menu);
• Flexible working hours within the 38-hour week;
• Teleworking possible after 1 year of service at the latest;
• Additional holiday for all staff between Christmas and New Year;
• Holidays o 29 days holiday / year from the 1st year of contract (then from 45 years: +1 day of holiday every 5 years) o + 1 week OFF every year between Christmas and New year’s Eve (independent of the annual balance of holidays).
• Advantages and interesting offers thanks to the Benefits@work card (discounts, vouchers…) ;
• Entitlement to services offered by the ‘Office Central d’Action Sociale et Culturelle de la Défense’ (OCASC): among others holiday centres, discount on travel organised by the tour operator…;
• Possibility of benefiting from the nursery funded by Belgian Defence (subject to availability).

Application
You will be working in a military environment. That is why everyone is expected to undergo a security verification. Please complete the following document and add it to your application: the form can be downloaded from: Aanvraag veiligheidsverificatie | RMA
Send by email:

• a motivational letter;
• a full CV;
• a scan of your ID card (both sides);
• the filled out security document

to Mr Dr Dewyn (michael.dewyn@mil.be), Prof. Lauwaert (lode.lauwaert@kuleuven.be). and to the service RSWO (erm-deao-rswo@mil.be).
Please mention clearly the reference of the project: “HFM/22-03”.
Application deadline: 05th May 2024.
The interviews will take place at the Royal Military Academy, Hobbemastraat 8, 1000 Brussels (or online). The date and time of the interview will be communicated to the preselected candidates.

Workplace

• Royal Military Academy, Avenue de la Renaissance 30, 1000 Brussels; in collaboration with the Higher Institute of Philosophy, Kardinaal Mercierplein 2, 3000 Leuven;
• Visits to partners and/or occasional travels abroad;
• Stimulating work environment.

Points of contact

• Regarding the vacancy: Mr Dr Dewyn (michael.dewyn@mil.be) and Prof. Lauwaert (lode.lauwaert@kuleuven.be). Regarding the recruitment modalities: the service RSWO (erm-deao-rswo@mil.be )
• For more information about the scientific research at the Royal Military Academy, see Research departments | RMA