EXTENDED: Postdoc position at the Centre for the Experimental-Philosophical Study of Discrimination (CEPDISC)

Centre for the Experimental-Philosophical Study of Discrimination (CEPDISC) at the Department of Political Science, Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University invites applications for a postdoctoral position.

The call is open for general applications in the research areas of the Centre, i.e., experimental-philosophical studies of discrimination, but special preference is given to applicants that can contribute to the subproject described in this call.

The expected starting date is August 1, 2023 or as agreed upon. The duration for the position is 2 years.  

Job description

The position as postdoctoral researcher is a fixed-term academic research position. As part of a small, interdisciplinary subproject (work package 7) within the centre, the postdoc position will cover a variety of tasks including research design, data collection, analysis and dissemination. The selected candidate will also be expected to contribute substantially to publications, both as first and secondary author and to take part in the research activities at the centre on a daily basis. The latter includes some organizational tasks, e.g., in relation to organizing workshops, seminars etc. The position includes relatively modest teaching obligations.

The postdoc will be located at CEPDISC, Department of Political Science, Aarhus University and daily presence (roughly) is expected except in connection with research visits abroad.

Postdoctoral researcher under the “Experimental studies of the sources of prejudice and discrimination – WP7” project
The position under the “WP7” subproject is led by Professor Lotte Thomsen (PI).

This work package uses experimental and survey methods to investigate the relational and psychological sources of discriminatory and prejudiced attitudes and behaviors. We seek to understand the nature of discriminatory behavior by examining it in light of our evolved psychology and as expressions of particular social concerns that arise with the challenges of living in large and diverse societies.

We will examine the origin of individual differences in views on how individuals and groups should be treated in terms of the different relational and moral frames with which people approach society (e.g. unity, loyalty, hierarchy, equality, proportionality), and will explore how they develop and are expressed differently depending on societal positioning (e.g. SES, gender) and experiences (e.g. in childhood).

The successful applicant will closely collaborate with the PI and the other members at CEPDISC. In particular, the successful applicant is expected to have an interest in social, personality, and/or evolutionary psychology, and a good understanding of social issues as the product of the interaction between psychological and societal influences and prior and current life outcomes. Advanced statistical proficiency is a strong advantage, ideally including areas such as longitudinal, multilevel and/or behavioral genetic modelling.

You can read more about the center and our projects here: https://ps.au.dk/en/cepdisc/about-cepdisc

Your qualifications

We seek highly motivated candidates with a documented background within the areas of political and social psychology, sociology, philosophy, experimental philosophy, political science or related fields, preferably with a track record of experimental research projects on discrimination. Applicants are required to possess a PhD-degree in one of the above-mentioned areas.

We expect the candidate to have excellent communication skills in spoken and written English, and an ability to produce state-of-the art experimental research and work in an interdisciplinary research environment where you interact and work together across sub-projects and research streams.

In addition to a CV and proof of PhD degree (or the near completion of a PhD degree), interested applicants should provide a 1-2 page application letter motivating why they are interested in the position and how they can contribute to specific research project(s) and CEPDISCS’s research activities in general. Applicants should also specify whether they are specifically interested in the position in WP7 or whether they are applying for a postdoc project on experimental-philosophical studies of discrimination that falls outside the project listed above. In the latter case, the application letter must specify an idea for a project.

Who are we

CEPDISC is a centre of excellence devoted the experimental-philosophical study of discrimination and funded for a six-year period by the Danish National Research Foundation.

At CEPDISC we study discrimination from an experimental-philosophical perspective. CEPDISC’s research is grounded in the combination of philosophical analysis, political and social psychology, and experimental (or other relevant quantitative) methods.

We ask three main research questions: 1) What is discrimination and what forms of discrimination exist? 2) What are the moral objections to discrimination? 3) What are the psychological mechanisms behind discrimination and what can and should be done, given these mechanisms, to mitigate discrimination?

Kasper Lippert-Rasmussen is the center leader of CEPDISC. CEPDISC’s core members are in alphabetical order: Andreas Albertsen, Kim Mannemar Sønderskov, Lasse Laustsen, Lotte Thomsen, Marion Godman, Michael Bang Petersen, and Søren Flinch Midtgaard. Together the core members cover relevant fields in political theory/philosophy and social and political psychology.
For examples of current research and activities, please consult our website here .

CEPDISC is part of the Department of Political Science at Aarhus University. The Department of Political Science is among Europe’s highest-ranking political science departments. It is large, in part because it includes a large Public Administration section. With around 100 academic staff members and 45 PhD students, we offer a lively and ambitious research and teaching environment. The Department of Political Science emphasises a dynamic and flexible research and teaching profile characterised by pluralism and openness. We expect active participation in the department’s activities and the relevant research field section. This includes being present at the department at least three working days per week.

The research conducted at the department covers all political science disciplines and represents a variety of methodological approaches. This enables us to focus on new problem areas as they appear in the national and international political arena, and it allows us to contribute actively to the development of the discipline. We also emphasise communicating our research results to the political administrative system and to the public in general.
The department is one of six departments at Aarhus BSS (School of Business and Social Science), one of five faculties at Aarhus University. Aarhus BSS unites the business and social science-related research fields and brings them closer together to reflect the close relationship between society and the business community. As part of a top-100 university, Aarhus BSS has achieved the distinguished AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS accreditations.
For more information about the Department of Political Science, please see here .

Further information

Applicants are welcome to contact Centre Director Kasper Lippert-Rasmussen per e-mail:

[email protected]

prior to submitting their application

To learn more about the available position or WP7-Leader please contact Lotte Thomsen

WP7-PI: Lotte Thomsen via e-mail:

[email protected]  

 - Tel.: +45 2530 2676 

If you need help uploading your application or have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR supporter Charlotte Zingenberg, Tel.: +45 9350 9350,
e-mail: [email protected]

Place of work

Centre for the Experimental-Philosophical Study of Discrimination, Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 7, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

Due to t temporary IT system failure, the University has decided to extend the application deadline for this position until May 22nd 2023

International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information here:

https://internationalstaff.au.dk/relocationservice/

Please find more information about research opportunities at Aarhus University here: http://international.au.dk/research/
Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here:
http://talent.au.dk/junior-researcher-development-programme/

Terms of employment

The appointment is made in accordance with the

Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities

as well as the circular on the

Collective Agreement for Academics Employed by the State

(in Danish).

The job content and qualification requirements are described in further detail in the

Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities

.

Application procedure

When you apply for this position it is mandatory to attach the following:

• Application
• Curriculum Vitae. You are encouraged to declare any periods of leave without research activity, including, for example, maternity leave, since your research activities are assessed in relation to your actual research time
• Education (diploma for master's, PhD and possibly higher doctoral degree)
• List of publications (the enclosed publications must be clearly marked on the list of publications)
• Publications. Up to three publications can be included in the application. In the event of several authors the publications must be accompanied by a co-author statement concerning the applicant's share of the collaborative work with the consent of the co-authors. Please use this template
• Teaching portfolio. The specific requirements regarding the documentation can be found here

Materials which cannot be uploaded together with the application may be submitted in three copies to Aarhus BSS HR & PhD, Aarhus University, Tåsingegade 1, 2nd floor, DK-8000 Aarhus C.

Read more about how to apply for an academic post at Aarhus BSS here

The evaluation process

After the application deadline, an assessment committee is appointed. Please note that the assessment of applicants is based solely on the material received prior to the application deadline. For further information, see

Guidelines for Assessment Committee, Aarhus BSS

.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.