One Postdoc Position (four years) and Two PhD Studentships (three years)

These positions are available at the Department of Philosophy, University of Vienna, in the ERC-funded project: “The Emergence of Relativism: Historical, Philosophical and Sociological Perspectives” (ERC Advanced Grant, PI: Prof. Martin Kusch), June 2014 to May 2019.

Information about the project is available here:

https://www.academia.edu/5095013/ERC_Proposal_on_Relativism_Short_Version_B1_

And here:

https://www.academia.edu/6219639/ERC_Proposal_on_Relativism_Long_Version_B2_

For the postdoc position we are looking for a philosopher, or a historian of philosophy, or a sociologist of knowledge, interested in studying the emergence and development of relativistic themes in the 19th and early 20th century in works about the social world by political philosophers, forerunners and practitioners of the social sciences in general, and the sociology of knowledge in particular.

For the PhD studentship positions we are looking for philosophers with an interest in studying relativism from a systematic rather than a historical perspective. The PhD project must fit within the framework of the overall ERC project as outlined in the documents above. We are particularly interested in proposals focusing on debates around the sociology of knowledge or historicism, but other proposals will also be considered.

Candidates of all nationalities are encouraged to apply; applications from women are especially welcome. The project is committed to promoting handicapped individuals and encourages them to apply.

None of these positions involves a teaching obligation.

The ability to work in an interdisciplinary team is important.

Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae (including list of publications), a research proposal on a topic related to the project (1000 words maximum), two samples of writing (i.e. articles or book chapters, or thesis chapters), and three names and email addresses of referees who have agreed to write a letter of recommendation to: Ms. Ernestine Umscheider <ernestine.umscheider@univie.ac.at> by 12noon on March 1st 2015.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in person or over Skype in April so as to allow for a start in July 2015.

Contracts will be issued for one year in the first instance; in case of satisfactory performance the contract will then be extended to cover the full 4 or 3 years respectively.