Postdoc in Ethics of Technology: Innovating Methods for the Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies

2 Apr 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

Research Field

Philosophy » Ethics

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Application Deadline

10 May 2026 - 21:59 (UTC)

Country

Netherlands

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

38.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

In the face of contemporary technological change, how might the methods of ethics of technology be modified or improved? As part of the inter-university research consortium, “Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies” (ESDiT), Philosophy & Ethics at TU/e is hiring a three-year post-doc to investigate what methodological innovations or modifications the ethics of technology requires in response to socially disruptive technologies.
Information
The ethics of technology has developed a wide range of methods and frameworks, yet there is no systematic understanding of what makes a method adequate for addressing socially disruptive technologies (SDTs), specifically. SDTs present distinctive challenges: they disrupt the concepts we use, they generate deep uncertainty and concern about their impacts, and they transform the social and conceptual contexts within which ethical evaluation takes place. It is an open question whether existing methods can accommodate these challenges or, instead, require fundamental modification. Gaining clarity about this requires developing a theoretical account of what success looks like for ethical methods operating under conditions of disruption.
To address the question of what methodological innovations or modifications the ethics of technology requires in response to socially disruptive technologies, this project pursues three interconnected lines of inquiry:
First, as a basis for the evaluative and innovative stages of the project, the postdoc will develop a conceptual framework for understanding the diverse existing methods used in the ethics of technology. This involves analyzing how different methods relate to one another – e.g., what purposes they are intended to serve, what assumptions they make about the relationship between theory and practice, and how they handle the distinctive consequences of socially disruptive technologies (including conceptual disruption, uncertainty, and moral diversity). The methods examined may include both theoretical and participatory or practice-oriented frameworks. To be clear, the aim in this part of the project is not to supply a comprehensive catalogue of existing methods but to develop a theoretical account of the methodological landscape as it currently stands.
Second, the postdoc will develop criteria for assessing when ethical methods succeed or fail in addressing socially disruptive technologies. This may include consideration of the following questions: What must a method be able to do to handle conceptual disruption? How should it accommodate deep uncertainty about technological trajectories? What role should stakeholder participation play? In this part of the project, the postdoc will take into account past ESDiT research on conceptual disruption, intercultural ethics, and methodological innovation. The result will be an account of desiderata for ethics methods that are applied to socially disruptive technologies.
Third, the postdoc will develop one or more new or revised method(s) that meet the desiderata identified. This may involve modifying existing approaches, integrating elements from different frameworks, or articulating entirely new methods. The aim is to contribute to the development of ethical methods that are adequate to the challenges posed by socially disruptive technologies.
The postdoc will be part of the ESDiT research line on New Methods for Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies, working alongside other researchers, who are also developing new methods for ethical assessment of socially disruptive technologies. Whereas a complementary project within ESDiT (at the University of Twente) will be developing new methods for analyzing specific forms of disruption (social systems, institutional change), this project will provide a meta-level framework for understanding what features ethical methods for SDTs should have. Thus, the project will inform and integrate more focused methodological contributions from others in ESDiT. Within the research line and ESDiT more broadly, the postdoc will play an active role – for instance, by organizing events and contributing to collaborative writing projects that advance the programme's methodological objectives.
The project will be supervised by Lily Frank, Elizabeth O’Neill, and a third supervisor from another university.
Desired starting date: Sept 1, 2026.

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/jobs/359817/postdoc-in-ethics-of-technology…

Requirements
Specific Requirements

• Motivated researcher, with a PhD in philosophy.
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• An aptitude for both independent work and working collaboratively in a team.
• Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English, good communication and leadership skills.

Additional Information
Benefits

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for 3 years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities , scale 10 (min. € 4,241 max. € 5,538). Please note that we cannot appoint you as a postdoc without your PhD degree. If you have not yet obtained your degree, you will be appointed to the position of researcher at grade 10, step 2.
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment . Build on your career at TU/e!

Selection process

We invite you to submit a complete application using the apply-button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• List of up to five self-selected ‘best publications’.
• Writing sample.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.
We give priority to complete applications.
We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Additional comments

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Elizabeth O’Neill, Assistant Professor, Philosophy & Ethics, e.r.h.oneill@tue.nl .
Visit our website for more information about the application process . You can also contact Jolanda van der Sande, HR advisor, j.l.v.d.sande@tue.nl or +31 40 247 4979.
Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/359817/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

TU/e

Country

Netherlands

City

Eindhoven

Postal Code

5612AZ

Street

De Zaale

Geofield

Contact

City

Eindhoven

Website

http://www.tue.nl/

Street

De Rondom 70

Postal Code

5612 AP

STATUS: EXPIRED

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