Postdoc researcher fte

Postdoc researcher (2 years, 1,0 FTE) (23929)

Tilburg University, The School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD), Department of Philosophy
, seeks to appoint a postdoctoral researcher for the Horizon Europe project PROCLAIM (Polarization, Radicalization, and Extremism Online – Identifying Covert Hate Speech in State‑of‑the‑Art Artificial Intelligence Technologies and Social Media, funded by the European Commission). Principal Investigator, Dr. Seunghyun Song. Starting date:
October 1st, 2026.

A postdoc researcher (2 years, 1,0 fte)

• Department:
  Department of Philosophy
• On site:
  Tilburg
• Contract size: 1.0 fte (40 hours per week)
• Full‑time gross monthly salary: € 3.546,00 – 5.538,00
• Contract duration: 24 months
• Intended start date:
  October 1st, 2026

Tilburg University is seeking a postdoctoral researcher for the European Union‑funded PROCLAIM project on online hate speech amplified by AI technologies. In this position, you will conduct internationally oriented research at the intersection of linguistic justice, hate speech theory, and AI ethics, while contributing to urgent societal and policy debates on freedom of expression and content moderation in digital environments. You will work closely with leading academic and non‑academic partners across Europe and contribute to research with direct relevance for European policymakers and regulatory institutions.

The position offers an excellent opportunity to further develop an international academic profile through high‑impact publications, interdisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful societal engagement.

The postdoc’s primary responsibility will be to contribute to a work package of the PROCLAIM project, which focuses on online hate speech that is amplified by AI technologies. The postdoc researcher is expected to perform research in the intersections of linguistic justice, hate speech theories, and AI ethics. Two specific fields of research must be conducted: (1) the researcher will contribute to developing new conceptual and analytical methods for identifying and conceptualizing different types of hate speech, importantly, by using the framework of linguistic justice;

(2) investigate to what extent hate speech has been tolerated within the so‑called “grey area” of freedom of speech and where content moderation would be required. These research activities must result in at least two publications in prestigious international, peer‑reviewed journals, as they are the required deliverables of this project. The researcher will work closely with researchers from Tilburg University and from one of the partner organizations, the International Centre for Counter‑Terrorism (ICCT), in their scientific research.

Moreover, the researcher will work with non‑academic dissemination partners of the consortium, who will disseminate the research findings to the European Commission, policymakers, and other target groups.

Typical activities will include:

• Conducting literature reviews and conceptual analyses on hate speech and freedom of expression through the framework of linguistic justice
• Analyzing European legal and policy frameworks related to hate speech regulation, including the Digital Services Act and other EU legal instruments
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary academic partners and external stakeholders
• Participating in policy feedback cycles with European institutions and governmental bodies
• Organizing and contributing to academic workshops, stakeholder meetings, and dissemination activities
• Publishing peer‑reviewed scientific articles and contributing to policy briefs and reports
• Possibility of acquiring some teaching experience, if the candidate wishes, which may prolong the contract

The postdoc will engage and discuss with the broader PROCLAIM consortium and collaborate with the researchers to gain sufficient grip on the technological side and provide input for other deliverables.

• A completed PhD in political philosophy or relevant fields, with a clear past research trajectory in linguistic justice (required), hate speech (preferred), and/or AI ethics (preferred).
• Minimum 2 years of research experience after finishing the PhD.
• Minimum…