Apply

Two positions with different focus:

Applicants are advised to read through the project proposal (see Project). Each position is tied to one sub-project either on blame or praise. One position will focus on Sub-Project 2: Blame. This sub-project focuses on three research questions: 1. What can we learn from the group domain about the nature of blame? 2. What can we learn from the group domain about the conditions of moral blameworthiness? 3. What can we learn from the group domain about the conditions for the appropriateness of blame-interactions? One position will focus on Sub-Project 3: Praise. This sub-project focuses on three research questions: 1. What can we learn from the group domain about the nature of praise? 2. What can we learn from the group domain about the conditions of moral praiseworthiness? 3. What can we learn from the group domain about the conditions for the appropriateness of praise-interactions?

Details:

The doctoral researchers are expected to start employment at 3 November 2025. The applicant must have completed or be expected to complete a relevant MA degree before the start of employment. If the applicant has not yet completed their MA degree at the time of applying, a letter of the supervisor of the MA thesis must be included in the application that details the expected completion date of their MA degree.
The duration of the position is three years, at 30h/week.
The salary is according to the salary rates of the FWF. This is approx. 2786,- euro bruto per month in the first year. In Austria, you receive 14 months of salary per year. Net salaries can be calculated here: onlinerechner.haude.at/BMF-Brutto-Netto-Rechner/. For more information about FWF salaries, see https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/funding/steps-to-your-fwf-project/further-information/personnel-costs.
The doctoral researchers will be supervised and advised by Dr. Niels de Haan and Prof. Hans Bernhard Schmid.
The doctoral researchers will conduct their PhD thesis as part of the Doctoral Program in Philosophy at the Department of Philosophy. The doctoral researchers are expected to become members of The Vienna Doctoral School of Philosophy, which is an exciting international hub for doctoral research in Philosophy. For more information, see https://vd-philosophy.univie.ac.at/.

Main duties:

To develop a PhD research plan in line with the project’s research questions and the specific focus of the position (blame or praise), and have it approved by the doctoral board within the first 6 months.
To complete coursework in line with the Doctoral Program in Philosophy (at least 24 ECTS).
To conduct and complete a PhD project related to the project’s aims and research questions and the specific focus of the position within three years.
To contribute to the organization of and actively participate in project-related activities such as workshops, conferences and talks.

How to apply:

In order to apply, please send an email to niels.de.haan@univie.ac.at. The email must have the following header: Application PhD Position FWF-Project The Ethics of Blaming and Praising Group Agents. The application must include the following:

Cover letter. Please specify in the cover letter whether you apply for one or both positions.
A CV containing at least the following: academic qualifications, areas of expertise and competence, publications (if any), presentations (if any), admin/organizational experience (if any), career breaks (if any), and two academic references.
A research proposal. The research proposal must be within the bounds of the project, and take into account the research questions and the relevant focus of the specific position (blame or praise). If you wish to apply for both positions, you must submit two separate research proposals.
A writing sample. 5000 words max (including footnotes, excluding bibliography). If the writing sample is longer than 5000 words, the passages to be considered must be highlighted.
Degree certificates and academic transcripts (compiled in one PDF-file). And if applicable, a letter of MA-supervisor that details the expected date of successful completion of the MA thesis.
Two letters of recommendation to be send separately by the referents to niels.de.haan@univie.ac.at.

Employment at the University of Vienna requires residency in Vienna, which has consistently been selected as one of the world’s most livable cities. Degree certificates and transcripts must have the required legalization. Degree certificates or transcripts that are not in German or English must be translated by a court sworn translator into one of these two languages.

The deadline for applications is 29 August, 2025. The interviews are expected to be held on 4 and 5 September 2025. For any questions, please send an email to niels.de.haan@univie.ac.at.