Research in Philosophy (HFM/22-03) (M/F/X)

5 Apr 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Royal Military Academy

Department

Defence

Research Field

Philosophy » Ethics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Belgium

Application Deadline

5 May 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels)

Type of Contract

Permanent

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

HFM/22-03

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

In the framework of the study HFM/22-03 and as part of collaboration with KU Leuven, the Patrimony of the Royal Military Academy plans to hire a full-time researcher with a Master’s degree in Philosophy. This study will lead to a PhD in Philosophy. The position is for four years. The Royal Military Academy (RMA) is strongly committed to promoting diversity and gender equality. Therefore, women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
 

Context
The Royal Military Academy of Belgium (RMA) is a military institution responsible for the basic academic, military and physical training of future officers, and for the continuing advanced training of officers during their active career in the Belgian Defense department (www.rma.ac.be ). It is fully recognized as a university, fulfilling the same criteria as civilian universities. The Royal Military Academy also conducts scientific research at university level for projects funded by the Belgian Defense department or external sources, for example in the domain of (semi-)autonomous systems and ethics.

Project
(Semi-)autonomous AI systems are in development worldwide, including for military purposes – think of self-driving cars, care robots, and weapons systems. In a lot of contexts, specific virtues such as courage and loyalty take a central place in the interaction of the operator with the machine. The question, however, is whether the (semi-)autonomous character of smart technologies influences this. Can one detect a change in certain virtues on the side of the operator? Or should we expect duty ethics to become more important in the context of AI?
The purpose of the PhD research is to answer these questions using methods from the field of experimental philosophy.
 

Main Tasks

• Research in the field of Ethics and Philosophy of Technology, which will lead to a PhD;
• A close collaboration with different research groups within the RMA and KU Leuven;
• Participation at national and international conferences and workshops;
• A limited teaching assignment;
• The valorization of the research by academic publications;
• The organization of a workshop and a conference.

Requirements

Research Field

Philosophy

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

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 Requirements

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.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Languages

DUTCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Philosophy

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Internal Application form(s) needed
20240405_HFM 22-03_Job description_ENG.pdf
English
(242.94 KB - PDF)
Download
Additional Information
Benefits

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).

Selection process

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 ([email protected] ), Prof. Lauwaert ([email protected] ). and to the service RSWO ([email protected] ).
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.

Additional comments

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 ([email protected] ) and Prof. Lauwaert ([email protected] ). Regarding the recruitment modalities: the service RSWO ([email protected] )
• For more information about the scientific research at the Royal Military Academy, see Research departments | RMA

Website for additional job details

https://www.rma.ac.be/nl/jobs

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Royal Military Academy - Patrimony

Country

Belgium

State/Province

Brussels

City

Brussels

Postal Code

1000

Street

Hobbemastraat 8

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

State/Province

Brussels

City

Brussels

Website

http://www.rma.ac.be

Street

Hobbemastraat 8

Postal Code

1000

E-Mail

[email protected]

Phone

+3224413750

STATUS: EXPIRED