Are you fascinated by philosophical issues related to novel developments in food technology? Do you wonder what the use of microbes in cellular agriculture means for the future of farming? Are you excited to collaborate with artists and engineers to explore philosophical questions and to reflect on how best to pursue such collaborations? Within our transdisciplinary team, you will have the opportunity to explore these questions in depth with other philosophers, through discussions with engineers and scientists, and via deep engagement with artistic practices.
Through this postdoc, we aim to create innovative approaches to research in the ethics and philosophy of technology by developing transdisciplinary collaborations between philosophers, scientists/engineers, and artists. This postdoc project will model the productive synergies that can be created between philosophy and art by close focus on the use of microbes in agriculture as a case study. Cellular agriculture technologies pose different levels of disruption, including the displacement of animal labor by microbes, and the replacement of farmers by lab workers.
Microbes pose additional philosophical challenges: how can we speak of their status from an ethical perspective, given they are often collectives rather than individuals but seem to exhibit agency? This case provides a rich basis for investigation of the intersections between environmental and technology ethics, and artistic and scientific practices. Thus this project will contribute to a growing body of literature about bio-art by systematically researching how art, scientific research and ethical reflection can mutually inform each other. Through collaborations with an artist (or via the artistic practices of the postdoc themselves) and STEM researchers in bioprocess engineering and food quality design, the postdoc project will explore the potential for artistic practices to inform ethical reflections on the use of microbes in cellular agriculture and more generally on disruptive technologies.
Your duties and responsibilities include:
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developing and leading conceptual analysis and methodological research on the synergies between art, philosophy, and science, and synthesizing results to produce high-quality and impactful academic publications at this intersection;
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engaging in artistic practices or working closely with an artist-collaborator, as well as collaborating with highly interdisciplinary colleagues in engineering, science and philosophy;
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organization of academic and outward-facing artistic or design events;
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coordination of the STEM research line within the ESDiT program; and
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performing teaching duties in Philosophy (maximum of 10% of your time).
Your team
You will work with Zoë Robaey, Bernice Bovenkerk, and Ludger van Dijk, as well as an artist-in-residence (if required). You will also collaborate with other members of the ESDiT project, particularly via the STEM, Nature and Sustainability, and Art research lines.
You will work here
This postdoc position is located within the Philosophy Group, led by prof. dr. Rachel Ankeny.
The position is funded by the Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies (ESDiT) program, a ten-year international research initiative involving seven academic institutions in the Netherlands which commenced in 2020 and funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) as part of its Gravitation scheme. The program is structured around nine research lines and three synthesizing themes: for a complete overview, see www.esdit.nl. Please note that there are currently other vacancies in the ESDiT program at other participating universities. If several are of interest to you, we want to encourage you to apply to them simultaneously, as each position will be filled via the specific university in which it is located.
You are fascinated by philosophy, art, and science and how they can partner to explore disruptive technologies in agriculture. You are a highly skilled postdoctoral researcher who is proactive and flexible, and who is both a team player and a connector who enjoys working in different environments. You also possess:
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a successfully completed PhD degree in environmental philosophy or philosophy of technology, along with a track record of high-quality publications appropriate to your career stage;
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experience in artistic practice at a high level, and/or deep engagement with research on artistic practices;
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the ambition and organizational skills to lead novel philosophical research, coordinate research groups, and plan outward-facing events;
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experience in using academic research to create societal impact and a desire to continue to build these skills;
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excellent communication skills and experience working in team settings including in transdisciplinary collaborations with scientists; and
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a track record of excellence in teaching and interest in further developing these skills.
In our international working environment, most communication is in English (equivalent to language level C1 for this position).
The desired starting date of this project is September 1, 2026. We invite a diversity of applicants to apply, especially related to gender and ethnic diversity.
We ask that you briefly address each of the required qualities above explicitly in your cover/motivation letter.
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
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sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
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working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
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there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
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a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
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excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 3.546,- and € 5.538,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). As for your contract, we initially offer a one-year contract that can be extended on good performance, for the duration of the project (2.5 years).
We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.
You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment.
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.
For more information about the position, please contact Prof. dr. Bernice Bovenkerk, via email: [email protected]
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Noorien Abbas, Corporate Recruiter, via [email protected] .
Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
You can apply up to and including 6 July 2026. The first interviews will be scheduled soon after the closing date. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 8 June 2026.
Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure
Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.
