International Centre for Ethics (IZEW), University of Tübingen

The professorship at the university of Tübingen is to be filled as soon as possible.

The Ethics Centre (IZEW) at the university of Tübingen is looking for an outstanding, highly motivated researcher to work on the ethics of scientific and technological innovation and to build a bridge between the various relevant disciplines. The professorship is to be filled as soon as possible.

The Ethics Centre (IZEW):

Ethical issues of technological innovation in research and development are one of the main topics that are investigated at the IZEW, always in close collaboration with the sciences. Research at the Ethics Centre generally is inter- and transdisciplinary (including third mission aspects) and not restricted to questions of applied issues within one single field. Therefore, we understand excellence in ethical research as a collaborative endeavour, encouraging scientists of various disciplines to reflect on concepts and methods of responsible research and innovation. The program of “Ethics in the Sciences” hence not only provides an excellent theoretical basis for interdisciplinarity but also for practical and collaborative research and teaching as well as capacity building. 

The position: 

The successful candidate should have expertise in application-oriented ethics with a focus on scientific and technological innovations. This includes the analysis of how culture, broadly understood as shared practices and knowledge, is affected by innovation while science and technology at the same time are shaped by their own cultures. A differentiated approach to methodologies of ethics in practice as well as insights into philosophy of science are expected. Furthermore, wide experience in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research including collaboration with the natural and life sciences, as well as with civil society, is required.

The preferred candidate is expected to conduct research on ethical questions related to innovative technologies, e.g., in areas of bionics, human-machine interactions, artificial intelligence and sustainability, in relation to issues of human autonomy, social accountability as well as personal, institutional and distributed responsibilities. A strong record in securing third-party funding for research projects as well as the willingness to participate in the executive committees and the lively working environment of the IZEW is expected. Interdisciplinary teaching in the field of ethics in the sciences at the Ethics Center as well as in cooperation with various departments and clusters of excellence is required. The position has a teaching load of nine hours per week during the semester.

The University is currently applying for Clusters of Excellence that cover a broad range of topics as part of the Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments. The successful candidate is expected to be open to networking with existing clusters and new cluster initiatives currently being applied for. S/he is point of contact for questions on ethical and cultural aspects of innovative technologies and their implications for society.

Formal requirements: 

Required qualifications include a PhD or equivalent degree as well as postdoctoral qualifications and teaching experience equivalent to the requirements of a full professorship.

The University of Tübingen is committed to equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion. Female scientists, in particular, are explicitly invited to apply, as are applicants from outside Germany. Applications from equally qualified candidates with disabilities will be given preference.

General information on professorships, hiring processes, and the German academic system can be found here: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/213700 

The following documents are required: curriculum vitae and description of academic career, copies of degree certificates, list of publications, overview of research focus and a research concept including proposals for the integration of ethical reflection on scientific and technological innovations at the University of Tübingen (max. 3 pages), a teaching portfolio incl. list of didactic training (max. 5 pages), and three relevant publications. Applications should be sent in electronic form (one PDF file) to the centers executive board, vorstand@izew.uni-tuebingen.de, by January 30th, 2025. Enquiries may also be directed to this address.

Download the job advertisement here.