Postdoc position for the Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Centre

The Ethics and Philosophy of Technology (EPT) section is looking for a postdoc who will conduct research in the ethics of pandemic and disaster. This is a 4-year fulltime position consisting of 80% of research time and 20% teaching time, contributing to the teaching of the EPT Section. The research part of this position will be conducted in the context of the multidisciplinary Frontrunner projects of the Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Centre. 

Erasmus MC, TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam have joined forces in the Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Center (PDPC ). The PDPC aims to prepare society for future pandemics and disasters. We will reduce vulnerabilities and risks and build resilience through effective disaster prevention, preparedness and recovery measures. Convergence of the technical, medical and social sciences is essential for developing the next generation of approaches to disasters and pandemics.

The Frontrunner Projects  kick-start the long-term research agenda of the PDPC . Leading experts from various disciplines collaborate with people from implementing organizations within these research projects to develop knowledge about pandemics and disasters and the social issues they can be expected to cause. These projects are organized in and around doctoral programmes and living labs,
around five main themes:

•    Frontrunner project 1: Climate change and vector- borne virus outbreaks
•    Frontrunner project 2: Predicting, measuring and quantifying airborne virus transmission
•    Frontrunner project 3: Pandemic lessons for flood disaster preparedness
•    Frontrunner project 4: Towards social and urban resilience
•    Frontrunner project 5: Integrated early-warning surveillance methods and tools 

As the ethics post doc in the Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Centre (PDPC) you will identify and perform research into the conceptual and ethical questions about the scientific research ongoing on the PDPC, as well as its potential consequences in the wider world. These include addressing questions in relation to PDPC research, including scientific methods, models, ethics of living labs, and how science results and risks are understood and communicated both by researchers and the public.

You will examine and contribute towards the on-going work of the frontrunners and their interactions, and also assist with providing ethics/policy advice and developing educational programmes for the Frontrunners. You will also develop a perspective on how themes emerging from the PDPC provide lessons for future emergency preparedness. Your work will be self-directed, but in close collaboration with the PIs and ethics staff of TU Delft and Erasmus MC, as well as with Frontrunner researchers, using a mixed methods approach of theoretical analysis and empirical work, including integrating stakeholder views.      

We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:
• PhD degree in the field of philosophy and a specialisation in e.g. philosophy of science, politics and governance, biomedical ethics, or related fields in applied ethics
• Interest in reflecting on topics like research using qualitative methods, and/or in science communication
• Excellent English skills, Dutch is an asset
• Flexibility and readiness to work in interdisciplinary teams (e.g. experience with co-authorship, working in multidisciplinary teams, or similar)

The salary for postdoc positions varies from € 3.703 - €5.439 per month gross depending on experience.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice  to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values  and we actively engage  to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

 Challenge. Change. Impact!

The Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management contributes to sustainable solutions for technical challenges in society by combining the insights from engineering with the humanities and the social sciences.

The Department of Values, Technology and Innovation (VTI) focuses on the value dimension of comprehensive engineering, the overarching research theme of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management (TPM). It uniquely brings together philosophers, economists and risk scholars. It studies how to develop and diffuse responsible technological innovations that reflect deeply held social and moral values. The department is one of the largest groups in the world studying value aspects, economics and risks for a wide range of sociotechnical systems. The department plays a leading role nationally and internationally in research in responsible innovation.

The Ethics and Philosophy of Technology section  is one of three sections within the VTI Department. The Section plays a central role worldwide in research on ethics and philosophy of technology.

Click here  to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Stephen Rainey [email protected] 

For further information about the application procedure, please contact Olivie Beek, HR Advisor, [email protected].   

The deadline for this application is March 24th 2023. The first round of interviews will be held on April 12th 2023 and the second round of interviews will be held on April 25th 2023.

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before March 24th 2023 via the application button.

Applications should include a detailed CV and short cover letter (2 pages max), including information about research experience, and how your expertise fits with this position.
Please note:
•    A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
•    You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
•    Contact by recruitment agencies is not appreciated.