PhD Student – Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences

About Ghent University:
Ghent University is a leading academic institution, and the Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences is on a mission to explore the ‘The Ethics of Loneliness.’ We are currently looking for two passionate and skilled PhD students to join this ERC-funded project.

Job Details:

• Location: Ghent, Belgium
• Job Type: Full-Time PhD
• Application Deadline: November 15, 2023

The Opportunity:

Project Overview: This research project, led by Prof. Dr. Bouke de Vries, delves into the profound subject of loneliness – a pervasive issue in our society with severe consequences for mental and physical health. This project aims to explore the moral responsibilities of individuals and societies in combating loneliness.

PhD Positions:

PhD Position 1: ‘Developing Social Skills’
This project examines the moral duties of individuals and states in helping people acquire or improve social skills to shield themselves and others from loneliness. Such skills can be nurtured through education and innovative methods. We are seeking candidates with backgrounds in philosophy, psychology, educational studies, or related disciplines.

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PhD Position 2: ‘Addressing Loneliness Without Human Sociability’
This project focuses on non-human sociability solutions to combat loneliness, which may involve the companionship of pets, social robots, and engaging in non-inherently social activities. We’re searching for candidates with expertise in philosophy, psychology, technology studies, or related fields.

We Offer:

• A chance to work on a socially significant research topic.
• Involvement in the ERC-funded ‘Ethics of Loneliness’ project.
• A full-time PhD position for four years, subject to positive yearly evaluations.
• A competitive international salary for PhD students.
• A broad range of staff benefits, including training and education opportunities, generous annual leave, a bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers.

Application Process:

• Deadline: November 15, 2023.
• Motivation: If you want to be considered for both PhD positions, please indicate this in your motivation letter.
• Interviews: Top candidates will be invited for interviews, either on-site or online, during November-December.
• Contract Start Date: As early as February 1, 2024.

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Candidate Profile:

• Research Passion: A genuine passion for research.
• Interest: A strong interest in at least one of the two PhD positions.
• Analytical Skills: Possession of strong analytical skills.
• Master’s Degree: A relevant Master’s degree.
• Track Record: An impressive track record reflected in academic achievements, publications, or awards.
• Independence: Ability and willingness to work independently and take initiative.
• Team Player: A strong team player.
• Communication: Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Responsibility: Willingness to help organize project-related meetings.
• Interdisciplinary Skills: Experience with interdisciplinary work or a multi-disciplinary background is an advantage.

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents in a single PDF file to Bouke.DeVries@UGent.be with ‘Loneliness PhD’ in the email subject line:

• Motivation letter
• Curriculum vitae
• A writing sample (e.g., publication, research essay, master’s thesis)
• Copies of diplomas and grade lists (Include translations if the original documents are not in Dutch, French, German, or English).

For More Information:

For further details about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Dr. Bouke de Vries at Bouke.DeVries@UGent.be.