PhD position in Philosophy of Technology

Education is increasingly permeated by and enacted through technological artifacts. These artifacts provide opportunities for learning that is more effective, individually tailored and in tune with pressing societal challenges. Importantly, such education is about more than the transfer of knowledge and acquisition of skills! That is, it also shapes the very students it teaches.

Technology profoundly affects this process. Just as our interactions with technologies shape the spaces, experiences, practices and knowledge that education has to offer, they also co-shape the kinds of intellectual, moral, professional and political subjects that students become, and the opportunities they have for taking part in that process.

Increasingly, philosophers of technology recognize the profound impact of technologies on how we become who and what we are and in the processes of self-shaping that this allows (e.g., Aydin, 2021; Bergen & Verbeek, 2021). To study these aspects of technology, educational settings are exceptionally exciting areas of inquiry!

As such, this PhD project investigates the ways technologies mediate how students are shaped as subjects in educational settings. This will require conceptual innovations and theory crafting that are specific to this context. In other words, we need creative, empirically informed philosophical inquiry into what technological artifacts do in shaping students’ subjectivity.

Interested in joining our team? Please submit your application before 8 april 2024 and include:

• A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, and motivations to apply for this position;
• A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades acquired, and, if applicable, an overview of publications and references;
• A sample of your own academic writing that is representative of your skill, approach and style (~500-1000 words)

To be eligible for the position, applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English must present an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet, TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) scoring at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).

• If you are not exempt and already have such a test available, include it in the application. Otherwise, we expect to receive it before the first round of interviews.

Additional information can be acquired via email from Dr. Jan Peter Bergen ([email protected]).

The UT's philosophy section is internationally established in the philosophy and ethics of technology (https://www.utwente.nl/en/bms/wijsb/). It also participates in the interuniversity 4TU.Center for Ethics and Technology (www.ethicsandtechnology.eu). Both the section and the Center have a strong international orientation and include members from many different nationalities.

The Faculty of Behavioral, Management and Social sciences (BMS) aims to play a key role in understanding, jointly developing and evaluating innovations in society. Technological developments are the engine of innovation. As a technical university that puts people first, we tailor them to human needs and behavior and use social engineering to integrate them into society. We also ensure adequate governance at public and private level, and robust, inclusive and fair organizational structures. We do this by developing, sharing and applying high-quality knowledge in Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communication Sciences, Philosophy, Educational Sciences and Health Sciences. Our research and education in these disciplines revolves around tackling and solving societal challenges. The research programs of BMS are closely linked to the research of the UT institutes Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.

As an employer, the Faculty of BMS offers work that matters. We equip you to create new possibilities for yourself and for our society. With us, you will become part of a leading technical university with increasing, positive social impact. We offer an open, inclusive and entrepreneurial atmosphere, in which we encourage you to make healthy choices, for example through our flexible, adaptable benefits.