One PhD and two postdocs: Digitalisation and Health, Ethics and Data Governance Radboud University, Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies Netherlands

One PhD and two postdocs: Digitalisation and Health, Ethics and Data Governance (1.0 FTE)

Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies 
Vacancy number: 21.11.18 
Application deadline: 27 January 2019

Responsibilities

The Radboud Interdisciplinary Hub for Privacy, Security and Data Ethics (iHub) at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands) is seeking one PhD candidate and two postdoctoral fellows in the field of digitalisation and health, ethics and data governance, to join a team led by Dr. Tamar Sharon. The PhD candidate and one of the postdocs will join the ERC-funded project entitled 'The digital disruption of health research and the common good: An empirical-philosophical study' (Digital Good). The other postdoc will carry out research to be defined, in the broad field of digitalisation and health, and contribute to shaping the Hub’s profile. 

The iHub is an exciting new interdisciplinary research centre led by Prof. Bart Jacobs (computer science) and Dr. Tamar Sharon (philosophy). iHub will bring together leading computer scientists, medical researchers, ethicists, legal scholars and social scientists from across the university. Research will address issues raised by the increased digitalisation and datafication of science and society. The Hub’s mission is to develop scientific and practical expertise on data governance guided by values such as privacy, transparency, democratic legitimacy and social value. 

The ERC-funded project Digital Good explores the ethical and societal challenges associated with the 'Googlisation of health': the entrance of large consumer technology companies such as Alphabet, Apple and Amazon into the domain of health and biomedical research. Team members will conduct fieldwork to map, analyse and critically evaluate the different conceptions of the common good that motivate various stakeholders participating in research collaborations between consumer tech firms and public research institutions. Fieldwork will take place at various sites in Europe and in the USA. The empirical findings will be used to develop a normative framework for data governance in this context that can account for different and competing conceptions of the common good. Team members will conduct independent research and contribute to the overall framework development. They should be comfortable carrying out empirical and conceptual work.

More information about the project 'Digital Good - The Digital Disruption of Health Research and the Common Good: An Empirical-Philosophical Study' can be found here.

Work environment

Team members will be embedded at iHub and in the Department for Practical Philosophy at the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies. Responsibility and solidarity are essential values within the faculty’s culture as they determine collaborative and social behaviour.

What we expect from you

PhD candidate

• Master’s degree in philosophy (of technology), science and technology studies (STS), critical data studies, sociology or anthropology with a focus on science and technology, or a similar discipline;

• an interest in data ethics, digital society and data governance;

• experience in carrying out empirical research (such as qualitative interviewing);

• good analytical and conceptual skills;

• willingness and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team;

• ability to present ideas clearly, also to people from other disciplinary backgrounds;

• good command of written and spoken English is a must; knowledge of Dutch is an advantage.

Postdocs

• PhD in philosophy (of technology), STS, critical data studies, law and technology, sociology or anthropology of science and technology, or similar discipline;

• a demonstrable interest (e.g. apparent from publications) in data ethics, digital society, data governance, the political economy of data sharing;

• experience carrying out empirical research (such as qualitative interviewing);

• knowledge of / expertise in law, in relation to technology and /or data protection, is an advantage;

• strong capacity for critical reflection, creative thinking and conceptual clarity;

• willingness and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team;

• experience working on scientific projects (e.g. workshop/conference panel organisation);

• experience in the acquisition of internationally competitive funding;

• excellent command of written and spoken English.

What we have to offer

• employment: 1.0 FTE;

• PhD candidate: the gross starting salary amounts to €2,266 per month in the first year and will increase to €2,897 in the fourth year (P scale). Postdocs: a maximum gross monthly salary of €4,852 (salary scale 11). Starting salary will depend on qualifications and relevant work experience;

• in addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus;

• PhD candidate: you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years. University job profile: PhD Candidate (promovendus). As part of the contract, you will participate in teaching for approximately 10% of your work time. 

  Postdocs: you will be appointed for an initial period of 2 years with a possible extension to a maximum of 4 years. University job profile: Researcher Level 3;

• you will be able to make use of our Dual Career Service where our Dual Career Officer will assist with family related support, such as child care, and help your partner prepare for the local labour market and with finding an occupation.

Are you interested in our excellent employment conditions?

Other Information

The intended start date is 1 May 2019. We have a preference for individuals who come from groups less represented at our faculty.

Would you like to know more?

Further information on: the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies 
Further information on: Practical Philosophy

For more information about this vacancy, please contact: 
Dr. Tamar Sharon, associate professor
Telephone: + 31 24 3612873
E-mail: t.sharon@ftr.ru.nl

Are you interested?

You should upload your application (attn. of Dr. Tamar Sharon) exclusively using the button 'Apply' below. Your application should include (and be limited to) the following attachment(s):

• motivation letter (PhD: max. 1,000 words, postdocs: max. 2,000 words). For the second postdoc (non-ERC), this should outline a new research project

• CV, including full publication list and the names and contact details of two references

• recent work. PhD: publication, essay or excerpt from your MA thesis. Postdocs: two publications, published or under review, preferably single-authored

The interviews will take place on 14 and 15 February 2019.

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