Researcher in Practical Philosophy with a focus on Financial Ethics

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science at the Faculty of Humanities has around 100 employees and a teaching volume that includes around 350 full-year students. Many large national and international research projects are underway here. Our education includes philosophy, logic, linguistics, language technology, theory of science and liberal arts. The department also conducts research training and development work in these areas.

The Financial Ethics Research Group is a long-term part of the department and consists in philosophers interested in various ethical and political issues raised by the financial system. The group is financed by a stream of external research projects. More specifically, we are currently engaged in four projects that concern the role of financial markets in sustainable development: Sustainable Finance Lab (Vinnova), Mistra Finance to Revive Biodiversity (Mistra), Science-Based Metrics for Sustainable Finance (Vinnova) and The Symbolism of Climate-Friendly Financial Decisions (Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation). Project leader is Joakim Sandberg, professor of practical philosophy.
 

Subject area 

Practical philosophy
 

Subject area description 

Financial ethics is the application of concepts, methods and theories from practical philosophy to critical issues in financial practices and systems. This employment more precisely concerns issues about how financial practices and systems can and ought to contribute to the transition towards a more sustainable society.

Key responsibilities

The position provides the researcher with an opportunity to solidify and develop his or her scientific skills through conducting research in practical philosophy with a focus on financial ethics. The researcher is expected to spend most of his or her employment on research within the projects currently active in the Financial Ethics Research Group, i.e. primarily pertaining to sustainable finance. Over time, the researcher is also expected to contribute to the development of new projects on similar or adjacent research questions. The researcher shall contribute to scientific progress that is presented in journal articles or book chapters, as well as at national or international conferences. The work is to be carried out independently, where the researcher is responsible for following timelines. We will define the direction of the research together, and it is therefore important to be able to pursue individual research tracks as well as contributing to the research of others.

A smaller part of the employment may involve work tasks other than research, such as management, coordination, teaching or educational development. The extent of such tasks will be determined in agreement with the researcher.

The bulk of the work shall be carried out on site at the University of Gothenburg. The researcher is expected to actively participate in the research group’s activities as well as the subject area’s seminars and conferences, where the working language is English.

Qualifications 

To be eligible for this position the applicant must have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree that is deemed to correspond to a doctoral degree. Alternatively, to have submitted the thesis and have a date scheduled for the defence. The subject area of the doctoral dissertation should be in a relevant area according to the subject description above (e.g., philosophy, politics, economics, or similar).
 

Assessment 

Most important in the assessment of the applicants is their scientific skill, where particular weight will be given to academic publications and paper drafts. We expect an excellent competence in analytical and critical thinking, good ability of working both independently and in groups, excellent scientific communication skills in English, as well as a genuine interest in applying philosophical ideas to current phenomena in financial markets.

Furthermore, priority will be given to applicants whose competence or work contributes to the current projects pertaining to sustainable finance and strengthens the Financial Ethics Research Group. We will select the candidate who, after an overall assessment of skill in the subject area of the position, is considered the most qualified to carry out the tasks included and to contribute to a positive development of the research group.

Employment 

Type of employment: Permanent, a trial period of six months might be applied.
Extent: 100% 
Location: Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science, Gothenburg 
First day of employment: By agreement
 

Selection process 

The recruitment process consists of the following steps: (1) a scientific review by an external expert to identify a top-ranked group of candidates, (2) interviews with top-ranked candidates, potentially online, and (3) a final assessment done by a recruitment committee at the department.
 

Contact information 

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Joakim Sandberg, professor of practical philosophy, joakim.sandberg@gu.se.

If you have any questions about how to apply, the recruitment process, or employment terms, please contact Cecilia Groglopo, HR officer, cecilia.groglopo@gu.se 

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande 

 

Application 

To apply for a position, go to the webpage of the University of Gothenburg (Vacancies | University of Gothenburg (gu.se)), you have start by registering an account in our online recruitment system. Then find the vacancy notice and click “Apply” at the bottom of the page. 

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the vacancy notice, and that it is submitted before the deadline. Selection of candidates is based purely on the qualifications registered in the application (not linked documentation).

Please note that the following documents should be attached to the application (in pdf):

1. List of degrees and employment history (CV)
2. Personal letter (maximum 2 pages), including a description of previous scientific and pedagogical work as well as how they relate to financial ethics
3. Research plan (maximum 2 pages): About the research you would like to conduct in the position and how it relates to sustainable finance or the specific projects at hand
4. List of academic texts that you appeal to (doctoral thesis, publications or paper drafts), maximum 7. Please attach these to the application.
5. Doctoral degree certificate.
6. Contact information for two reference persons.
7. Other documents you wish to present that may be of importance for the assessment.

We welcome applications written in English, since a non-Swedish speaking person may be appointed as external expert in the recruitment process.

Any documents which cannot be submitted electronically should be sent in two copies to the following address and marked with the reference number of this vacancy notice. University of Gothenburg, FLoV HR-Officer, Box 200, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, SWEDEN. The documents should be delivered no later than three workdays after the last day for online applications, or the sender should be able to show the documents have been mailed no later than the last day for online applications.

 

Applications must be received by: August 15th, 2024

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.