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Department of Philosophy, Ethics and Cognitive Science Assistant Professor

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Position description

The Department of Philosophy of the University of California, Davis announces an entry level tenure-track Assistant Professor position. The Area of Specialization (AOS) for the position is Ethics and Cognitive Science, and the Area of Competence (AOC) is open. Although the AOC is open, the Department has programmatic needs in a variety of fields, including especially ethics, history of modern philosophy, and epistemology. The Department aims to reinforce its existing strengths and interests in such fields as moral philosophy, philosophy of language, formal epistemology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science and mathematics, and metaphysics. The successful candidate will be expected to play an active role in the life of the Department in research as well as instruction at all levels.

Duties include research, graduate supervision, committee service, and a teaching load of four quarter courses per year. The successful candidate will be expected to carry out a research program at key intersections of ethics and cognitive science: (1) ethical issues raised by advances in cognitive science in such areas as artificial intelligence, information science, neuroimaging, and cognitive enhancement; and (2) cognitive science suggesting answers to ethical questions concerning such topics as free will, ethical theory, and mental disorders.

The appointee will be required to teach undergraduate courses at both the introductory and advanced levels in support of the Philosophy major and the three tracks of the Cognitive Science major (BA or BS with Computational or Neuroscience emphasis) and a graduate level course in his or her area of specialization. We expect this position to support new and possibly existing high enrollment courses at both lower and upper divisions, attracting students from beyond these two programs, as well as to support the existing Pre-Med and Pre-Law Emphases in Philosophy. Supervision of graduate students, student advising, participation in departmental programs, curricular development, and performance of Departmental, College, and University service are expected. Finalists for this position must possess outstanding potential as researchers and teachers of philosophy.

This position is open until filled. To be assured of full consideration, applications must be started in our online system by 18 October 2019. The committee will begin reviewing completed applications on 21 October 2019. The final date to complete an application is 31 October 2019, after which no incomplete applications can be completed

The principal qualifications for the candidate are a strong research record and the ability to teach at the undergraduate and graduate level. Ph.D. in Philosophy or related field is required.
Applicants must submit a letter of application, cv, three letters of recommendation, and a sample of written work through the online application system found at: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF03128

For additional information or assistance, write or email Professor Adam Sennet, Chair, Ethics & Cognitive Science Search Committee, Department of Philosophy, University of California, Davis, CA 95616-8673 (email: amsennet@ucdavis.edu). Alternatively, contact the Department’s personnel coordinator for this search, Constance Suen (ycpersonnel@ucdavis.edu).

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.

  • Sample of Written Work

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 letters of reference required
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Job location

Davis, CA