Assistant Professor in Political and Social Philosophy

At Maastricht University, philosophy plays a vital role in understanding a world marked by political tensions, technological upheaval, and societal transformations. Here, you contribute to education and research that help make sense of the evolving political landscape in Europe and the world. You join an international academic community where critical thinking, collaboration, and curiosity drive everything we do — and where your philosophical perspective helps students and colleagues engage thoughtfully with today’s most pressing democratic challenges.

• Our goal: Strengthen our research and teaching in political and social philosophy, with a focus on contemporary challenges to European democracy.
• Your colleagues: A diverse and international group of philosophers working across political philosophy, philosophy of technology, and philosophy of art and culture at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS).

The Department of Philosophy at Maastricht University is looking for an assistant professor in political and social philosophy with a focus on contemporary challenges to European democracy. You are conversant in debates about democracy in Europe, including challenges to the multi-level polity, identity and democratic agency, the role of social movements as democratic agents, trust, toleration and polarization, and inequality, solidarity and fragmentation.

You are interested in connecting empirical and normative approaches to studying democracy. The teaching focus of this position would be primarily in our BA and MA in European Studies (European Studies – Come study at Maastricht University! – Maastricht University ). You have a strong background in political philosophy or a closely related field and you are ready to teach/coordinate in the courses “Introduction to Philosophy” and “Political Philosophy” at the University College Maastricht.

We are searching for someone who is enthusiastic about connecting normative theory with contemporary political challenges, working across disciplinary boundaries, and contributing to collaborative research. You regularly present your work at international conferences, publish in leading journals, and apply for external funding. You value teamwork, inclusivity, and academic integrity—key pillars of our faculty culture.

• Deliver top-quality education through co-teaching and coordinating courses; supervising BA and MA students in their theses and leading student research projects;
• Apply for external research funding at the national and European level;
• Actively collaborate with colleagues from across departments in interdisciplinary teaching and research activities.

• A PhD in political or social philosophy or a closely related field;
• A growing publication record, appropriate to your career stage, in internationally recognized venues;
• Experience teaching and supervising students at undergraduate level, and ideally at the graduate (MA) level;
• Excellent command of English (C1 level) and the ability to teach in English;
• A collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary education and research;
• Willingness to obtain the Dutch University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) and to acquire Dutch language skills up to B1 level within three years.

Candidates from under-represented groups in academia and philosophy are particularly encouraged to apply.

At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:

• A 18-month contract with the prospect of a permanent contract, based on positive assessment and mutual satisfaction;
• A gross monthly salary between €4.728 and €7.297 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week);
• 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus;
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours;
• Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and options for hybrid working;
• The freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas;
• A…