The Department of Philosophy of the University of Twente in theNetherlands islooking forTwo Ph.D. Students (M/F, fulltime)

Two PhD students for the international research project:Evaluating the Cultural Quality of New MediaTowards a Philosophy of Human-Media Relations.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

The two PhD positions are part of a prestigious and exciting internationalresearch project in philosophy named “Evaluating the Cultural Quality of NewMedia”. This five-year project, which will include five researchers and willinvolve collaboration with leading international scholars and researchcentres, has as its aim to develop a framework for better normative analysesof new media and new media culture, especially in relation to theircontribution to the quality of life (“the good life”) and the quality ofsociety. Project leader is Dr. Philip Brey. Two postdocs have already beenappointed to the project: dr. A. Briggle, PhD, University of Coloradoand dr.E. Spence, PhD, Sydney University. The project will be part of a newinternational Centre of Excellence in Ethics and Technology of thedepartmentsof philosophy of Twente University, Delft University of Technology andEindhoven University of Technology.

Applications are accepted for three different projects:

Ph.D Project 1 - The Quality of Virtual Environments and ToolsThis subproject aims to perform a philosophical analysis of the implicationsof the ever increasing virtualization for the quality of life and ofsociety.Virtualization is defined as the digital production of interactivestructures,whether graphical or symbolic, that mirror things and events in the physicalworld. What are the implications of this process for moral and socialidentity, embodiment, and conceptions of reality, and how can theseimplications be normatively evaluated?

Ph.D. Project 2 – The Quality of Computer-Mediated Social RelationsThis subproject focuses on computer-mediated social relations andpractices infriendships, love relationships, and community life. Increasingly, thesocialworld is held together by electronic networks. More and more, communication,social relationships, and community formation take place over such networks.The aim of the project is to perform a philosophical analysis of theimplications of this trend for the quality of life and of society.

Ph.D. Project 3 – Societal Appraisals of the Cultural Quality of New MediaThis subproject will perform a study of appraisals of new media that aremadeby representatives of major ideologies or worldviews, with the aim ofassessing how they relate to conceptions of the good life and the goodsocietyheld by these ideologies. It will study liberal, communitarian,conservative,religious and postmaterialist evaluations of new media, and will try toassesswhich ideologies see themselves as winners and losers in the developmentof anew media culture. It will also provide critiques of current ideologicalstances on new media.

Only the two best candidates out of all applicants will be offered aposition. Selection will only be based on the quality of the candidate, andnot on his or her preference for a particular project, except that thetwo PhDappointments will be for different projects. You may apply for morethan oneproject if you wish.

Profile
For all three projects: a Master’s degree or equivalent degree inphilosophy,with strength in ethics and/or political philosophy. Consideration will alsobe given to candidates with a multidisciplinary Master’s degree on a topicrelevant to the project and some background in philosophy, and toexceptionalcandidates with only a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. Demonstrableinterestin philosophical issues relating to information technology and newmedia. Goodanalytical skills. Good communication skills in English, in writing aswell asorally. Creativity, open-mindedness, and an ability to develop new ideas.

Offer
A four-year full-time Ph.D. position starting November 1, 2006. The grosssalary is € 1.933,- in the first year going up to € 2.472,- in thefourth year(€ 25.552,- and € 32.677,- per annum, respectively, including vacation pay).Each Ph.D. position comes with a budget of up to € 8,000,- for travel andconference attendance.

Information and application
A description of the overall project, the three subprojects and a FAQ can beretrieved from http://www.ceptes.nl/vici. Applicants are advised to readthesetexts carefully before applying. For questions not answered on thewebsite youcan contact the project leader, dr. Philip Brey (e-mail:p.a.e.brey@utwente.nl).

Your application should contain the following documents: a letter ofapplication which explains your interest in the position and explains yourqualifications (this letter should contain some suggestions on how you wouldwant to approach the project you apply for); a curriculum vitae whichincludesthe name and e-mail address/telephone number of one of your professors,preferably the supervisor of your master’s thesis; a copy of your master’sthesis; copies of publications, if any; an academic transcript thatcontains alist of subjects taken and grades received (this may be an unofficialversionor scanned copy; we can request the original later). Optionally, you canalsoinclude letters of recommendation from your professors.

Your application can be sent by e-mail (preferred) or by normal post to dr.ir. J.F.C. Verberne (e-mail: pz-gw@gw.utwente.nl), managing director of theFaculty of Behavioural Sciences, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AEEnschede, the Netherlands. Please mention the vacancy number: 06/072-1(project 1), 06/072-2 (project 2), or 06/072-3 (project 3). Yourapplicationshould be in by October 2, 2006. Job interviews will be held betweenOctober 9and 13.