Do you want to study and work in a vibrant international academic environment at the heart of Europe, in one of the world’s most charming cities? Are you interested in exploring philosophical and ethical questions concerning environment and/or new technologies? Apply for a PhD Level Research Position in the EU funded Center for Environmental and Technology Ethics - Prague (CETE-P), to be combined with PhD study at one of Czech universities of your choice.

CETE-P – a newly created research center based at the Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences, established in collaboration with the ERA Chair Holder prof. Mark Coeckelbergh – is seeking to appoint a graduate in philosophy or neighboring disciplines to a PhD Level Research Position with focus on environmental ethics and/or technology ethics. Since the Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Science is a research institution with no PhD program of its own, the position is to be combined with PhD study at a Czech university under supervision of a CETE-P research team member.

The successful candidate is expected (1) to study a PhD program at one of Czech universities of their choice, with a PhD project supervised by a CETE-P research team member, and (2) participate in the research activities of CETE-P in collaboration with the supervisor, the CETE-P research team leader and prof. Mark Coeckelbergh. The successful candidate will be provided CETE-P team’s full support and assistance in the choice and application for a PhD study at a Czech university.  

Qualification requirements

• MA in philosophy, ethics or neighboring disciplines with a clear connection to philosophy
• PhD research project in environmental ethics and/or technology ethics.
• Readiness to relocate to Czech Republic and study a PhD program at one of Czech universities
• Fluent oral and written academic English
• Excellent communication skills

Criteria to be explicitly addressed in the evaluation process

• Originality and innovativeness of the PhD project
• Potential to contribute to the development of the academic and research environment at CETE-P
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position – good team player and versatile at all levels
• Skills within popular dissemination and public outreach
• Ability to create and contribute to a positive environment for collaboration
• Capability of multidisciplinary co-operation

We offer

• Half-time research position with no teaching and low administrative obligations
• Contract for up to 4-years, with a 3-month probation period
• Salary approximately CZK 250.000 per annum (gross, halftime), to be combined with a doctoral stipend paid from a university
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Attractive welfare benefits
• Office space located in the historical center of Prague
• Professional administrative and academic support
• Assistance with the application process for a PhD study at one of Czech universities
• Relocation assistance

The successful candidate for this post will commence duties preferably on 1 September 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

How to apply

The application must include:

• Statement of motivation
• PhD project proposal (max. 2 pages of content)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Complete list of publications or other relevant academic activities
• 1 sample of published work or conference paper (if applicable)
• List of reference persons: 2–3 references (name, position, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)
• Please note that all documents should be in English

The application with attachments must be delivered via email by 30 November 2023 to Petra Zakostelecka at zakostelecka@flu.cas.cz. 

About the selection procedure

As the first step, Selection Committee will assess all applications and invite the most qualified applicants to online interviews taking place in February or March 2024.

Equal opportunity

The Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences conducts an equal opportunities policy and encourages everyone to apply. Applications from the currently underrepresented groups in philosophy are especially welcome.

Contact information

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have about CETE-P, please contact Dr. Petr Urban, CETE-P Project Coordinator, at urban@flu.cas.cz. For questions about how to apply and the application process, please contact HR Officer Petra Zakostelecka at zakostelecka@flu.cas.cz.

About CETE-P/ Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences

CETE-P is a new research unit at the Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague, conducting research on the nexus between environmental and technology ethics. It is being established due to the EU funded Horizon Europe project Nr. 101086898 led by prof. Mark Coeckelbergh.

The Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences is a publicly funded non-university research institution, conducting research in key areas of philosophy and related humanities. It is the largest humanities institute affiliated with the Czech Academy of Sciences. The Institute has a vibrant international research community and hosts prestigious research projects supported by European funding schemes such as ERC, Horizon Europe or COST. The Institute is located at the very heart of the historical center of Prague. For more information about the Institute: https://www.flu.cas.cz/en/