Postdoc Position: Securing Public Values in an Age of Digitalisation (2 positions)

Radboud University’s Interdisciplinary Hub for Digitalisation and Society (iHub) is looking for two postdoctoral researchers to join a project on securing public values in an age of digitalisation. Are you eager to add your expertise to this project? Then please consider one of the postdoctoral researcher positions.

The positions will be part of the project ‘Securing public values in an age of digitalisation’ (Principal Investigator, Prof. Tamar Sharon), an interdisciplinary team science project funded by an Ammodo Science Award, investigating ethical, legal and societal aspects of digitalisation. Both positions are for two years, commencing as soon as possible after 1 October 2025 and no later than 1 January 2026.

Postdoctoral researcher 1 (policy studies or a related field) will be tasked with critically analysing Europe’s ambitious and fast-moving digital policy landscape, particularly in relation to European digital sovereignty and European data spaces.

Postdoctoral researcher 2 (ethics or a related field) will be tasked with researching the development and use of digital technology, including AI, in the health sphere, and ensuing value clashes, in line with the conceptual framework of ‘sphere transgressions’.

Both postdoctoral researchers will be expected to play an active role in the research project team, to co-author scientific articles and reports with other members, and contribute to research and activities within iHub.

Profile

Postdoctoral researcher 1:

• You have a PhD in policy studies, innovation studies, critical data studies or a related field.
• You have demonstrable interest (e.g. apparent from publications) in EU digital policy and digital governance.
• You are willing and able to work in an interdisciplinary team and have the ability to present ideas to people from other disciplinary backgrounds.
• You have an excellent command of written and spoken English.
• You have good communication skills and are willing and able to communicate in non-academic settings.

Postdoctoral researcher 2:

• You have a PhD in ethics, philosophy, science and technology studies, critical data studies or a related field.
• You have demonstrable interest (e.g. apparent from publications) in the ethics of digital health and digital society.
• You are willing and able to work in an interdisciplinary team and have the ability to present ideas to people from other disciplinary backgrounds.
• You have an excellent command of written and spoken English, knowledge of Dutch would be an advantage.
• You have good communication skills and are willing and able to communicate in non-academic settings.

Researchers who do not meet all the requirements above are also encouraged to apply for this position.

We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of two years.
• Your salary within salary scale 11 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

We are

You will be embedded at the Interdisciplinary Hub for Digitalisation and Society (iHub). iHub brings together researchers from philosophy, ethics, law, computer science, language sciences, communication sciences and other disciplines from across the university to tackle challenges raised by the increased digitalisation of society. Our in-house iLab develops value-based prototypes and designs. Researchers at iHub are organised around themes, such as algorithmic discrimination, digital persuasion and manipulation, and technology at the workplace, and focus on the promotion of public values in digital transformations. You will benefit from and contribute to the rich and shared expertise at iHub.

You will be affiliated with the Department of Ethics and Political Philosophy at the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies.

Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies
Staff and students in the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies reflect on the great challenges of our time, exploring concepts, belief systems and worldviews. In this way they provide philosophical and religious context to the societal debate and contribute to the analysis and solution of major societal challenges. The faculty has over 180 staff, organized in eight academic departments and four support departments. Our academics collaborate in six research centres and teach more than 1,000 students. Our staff and students are committed. The lines of communication are short and each individual student and staff member is given ample attention.

Radboud University
At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

tamar.sharon [at] ru.nl