At the University of Jyväskylä, everyone can find their place in the human-centred environment of 2,500 experts and 14,500 students. Our goal is to create wisdom and wellbeing for us all. It is essential that each member of the community thrives and has opportunities to develop and grow. We cherish openness of thinking as well as the balance between research and education. Our naturally beautiful campus is located at the heart of the city of Jyväskylä. JYU is the third largest employer in Central Finland.                                                                                                                                                                                
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is currently seeking to recruit a 

Postdoctoral Researcher in Philosophy, for a fixed-term period from November 1^st 2020 until August 31^st 2023 (or as agreed). 

The position is located to the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy and there in the Academy research project Vicious, Antisocial, and Sinful: The Social and Political Dimension of Moral Vices from Medieval to Early Modern Philosophy.

Specialized in research on social, political and cultural transformations, the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy is one of the leading units in the field of social sciences in Finland. Our strengths include high quality of research, good international reputation, active participation in public discussion as well as supportive and student friendly environment. The focus areas of research at the department are: 1) traditions of philosophical and political thought, 2) sustainable societies and 3) policies and politics of welfare and care. 

The postdoctoral researcher will work as a member of the research project Vicious, Antisocial, and Sinful: The Social and Political Dimension of Moral Vices from Medieval to Early Modern Philosophy. The project analyses human vices and sins in medieval and early modern philosophy from the perspective of their social and political significance. In particular, it investigates how vices and sins are conceptualised in medieval moral literature and philosophical works on ethics, and how these two concepts are linked to the social reality of human beings. 

The successful candidate will conduct research on philosophical aspects of the concepts of vice and sin, focusing especially on the social and political dimensions of these concepts. The objective is to provide a detailed analysis of vices, of their underlying moral psychology, and of the relevance of the social/political nature of humans to moral discussions on vices. The candidate will be selected on basis of application, references, and track record. He/she is expected to be able to study sources in their original languages (esp. Latin). The candidate’s areas of speciality should fall under the themes that are relevant for the project, i.e. medieval philosophy, renaissance philosophy, history of moral philosophy, and/or intellectual history between c. 1200-1600, or some shorter period within this frame. Previous knowledge of medieval moral literature and the ability to read manuscript sources will be considered as assets. The candidate is expected to conduct research on high international level and to publish in high ranking international journals and anthologies. 

Postdoctoral researchers are required to have a relevant doctoral degree in (history of) philosophy, history of ideas, or any related field, the ability for independent scholarly work and the teaching skills required for the position. 

The duties and qualification requirements for the position of the Postdoctoral Researcher are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations, Rector’s decision on personnel matters and language skills guidelines. The qualification requirements should be met by the closing of the application time. In this position, the language of instruction is English. 

The annual salary range will be approximately 38.800 – 55.700 EUR (gross income, including holiday bonus), depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. 

A trial period of six months will be used when the position is first filled. 

For more information, please contact Academy Research Fellow Juhana Toivanen, email: juhana.toivanen@jyu.fi, tel: +358 50 350 0819. 

Following documents must be included in English to the electronic recruiting system: 

1. Motivation letter,
2. A CV composed according to good scientific practice and considering, when possible, the template for researcher´s curriculum vitae of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK);
3. A numbered list of publications covering the applicant’s the scientific and other publications according to the instructions of the Academy of Finland;
4. Research plan (max. 2-3 pages);
5. Two references 

Please submit your application at the latest on September 15^th 2020  using the online application form.