Professor of Practical Philosophy - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Workplace description

The Department of Philosophy, with a staff of 80, is divided into Practical Philosophy, Theoretical Philosophy and Cognitive Science. It is a research-intensive department that understands the importance of having knowledgeable and committed teaching staff and offering its 250 students programmes and courses of the highest quality. Research in practical philosophy at Lund University has long attracted attention internationally for its output, particularly in value theory, philosophy of action and social ontology, theory of law and moral responsibility. On the education side, the focus is on morals (moral philosophy, metaethics, applied ethics, theory of law), politics (political philosophy), practical rationality (action theory, decision theory) as well as aesthetics and philosophy of religion. Within practical philosophy, second-cycle courses are offered that provide an opportunity for specialisation in the main field of study for a Master’s degree (60/120 credits). Since 2014, a subject has been offered in cooperation with the Department of Political Science and Department of Economics, a popular first-cycle programme in Practical Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE).

Work duties

• the postholder being responsible for the development of teaching, third-cycle education and research within the subject of Practical Philosophy. This includes: (1) own research, (2) research initiation and management, including the preparation of applications for external funding, (3) management of the research seminar and supervision of doctoral students, (4) teaching and course development at all levels, and (5) administrative tasks.
• promoting collaboration among colleagues in the department from practical and theoretical philosophy and cognitive science, as well as with colleagues at other higher education institutions and within other relevant subjects.
• making an active contribution to the internationalisation of teaching and research at the Department of Philosophy.
• being able to take on academic management assignments as required.
• communicating their research results to wider society.

Qualification requirements

A person who has demonstrated both research and teaching expertise is qualified for employment as a professor. For a position as professor, training in teaching and learning in higher education of at least five weeks is required, or equivalent knowledge that has been acquired in another way. If there are valid reasons, for example that the applicant has lacked opportunities to acquire the requisite knowledge in their former positions, an appointment can still be made. In such cases, the appointee is to complete the required training in teaching and learning in higher education within the first two years of employment, thereby fulfilling the requirement.

Additional requirements for the position are:

• awarded a doctoral degree in Philosophy or equivalent subject.
• If the successful applicant does not possess a sufficient command of Swedish to enable them to teach, hold management positions or communicate in the workplace, the person in question is to follow a development plan that makes clear how the employee will be able to gain the relevant skills within a maximum of two years. This plan will be drawn up in consultation between the employee and the head of department.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for appointment as a professor shall be the degree of the expertise required as a qualification for employment.

• Very good research, teaching, administrative and other skills of significance with reference to the subject area and work duties of the position, as well as other personal abilities of significance for successfully carrying out these duties.
• Very good research qualifications including a very good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject. Demonstrated through:
  • extensive and documented research efforts and by the quality of the applicant’s work, which should be of high national and international standard.
  • an internationally competitive publication record that demonstrates both breadth and depth,
  • proven expertise in planning, initiating, leading and developing research,
  • a proven ability to obtain research grants in competition,
  • proven experience of, and good skills as a supervisor,
  • a broad international network and active participation in national and international research communities, expressed for example through documented experience of assignments as an expert, editing, peer reviews and project management, membership in formal networks, as well as holding various positions of trust.
• A very high level of teaching skill, including a very good ability to conduct, develop and lead educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
  • This is to be demonstrated both through experience of the teaching activities described above and a reflective approach to one’s own teaching role.
• A good ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
• A good ability to engage with wider society and communicate his or her activities.
• A good general ability to lead and develop activities.
  • The ability to lead and develop activities is demonstrated by a proven track record of leading, coordinating and developing research activities and collaborating with others, successfully and with clear results.

In the assessment of qualifications, teaching and research expertise receive equal consideration.

Specific qualifications of additional merit in descending order:

• Proven experience of research in more than one of the following subjects: Value Theory, Moral Philosophy, Metaethics, Action Theory with a focus on collective action, and moral responsibility.
• Proven experience of research in more than one of Practical Philosophy’s core subjects: Morality (Moral philosophy, Metaethics, Applied Ethics and the Theory of Justice) Political Philosophy, Practical Rationality (Action Theory, Decision Theory), and Aesthetics.
• Proven experience of having initiated, implemented, obtained and led strategically important research projects.
• Proven experience of working in international environments and with the internationalisation of higher education and research.

Instructions for the application

The application must conform to the instructions that can be downloaded at
www.ht.lu.se/en/the-faculties/academic-vacancies/instructions-for-applicants. The applicant is responsible for making sure that the application is complete, in accordance with the vacancy announcement and instructions, and for submitting it to the University by the application deadline through the recruitment portal.

The Academic Appointments Board normally selects a shortlist of applicants. This selection can be done in one or several steps and if needed with the help of external experts. The applicants who are selected for external assessment may be invited to submit physical copies of the papers that they wish to submit for expert assessment within 14 days.

The applicants called to trial lectures and interviews can be asked to supplement their application with a brief plan of the activities they plan to carry out within the framework of potential employment, with a particular focus on how the environment can be developed and which collaborations they intend to establish or further develop locally, nationally and internationally.

Conditions

Lund University is a public authority, which means that you receive special benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension. Read more on the University’s website about being an LU employee, Working at Lund University. The University applies individual salary setting.