POSTDOC IN THE HISTORY OF EARLY MODERN PHILOSOPHY: VAN VELTHUYSEN AND HIS CIRCLE
• Job description
The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies and the Descartes Centre at Utrecht University invite applications for a full-time position in postdoctoral research, to be held for three years, as part of the research programme “Spinoza’s Web,” funded by the Netherlands Foundation for Scientific Research (NWO). In this programme, the postdoc will carry out the subproject “Van Velthuysen and His Circle.”
• The subproject
Though the publications and activities of the idiosyncratic Cartesian, Hobbesian and Calvinist Lambert van Velthuysen (1622-1685) constitute a seminal episode in the history of early modern philosophy, they have so far not been explored systematically. This subproject will yield a comprehensive interpretation of Van Velthuysen’s own publications, those of the liberal and radical network around him (the so-called “Collegie der Sçavanten”), and their relationship with Benedictus de Spinoza (1632-1677).
• Qualifications
– A PhD in philosophy or another relevant discipline.
– Publications and/or papers on topics akin to the theme of the subproject (early modern intellectual history).
– Competence in the history of (early modern) philosophy, science and religion, in particular in the Dutch seventeenth century.
– Good passive command of Latin and (seventeenth-century) Dutch. An assessment of the candidate’s proficiency in these languages may be part of the recruitment process.
– Good active command of English.
– Proficiency in reading manuscript material of the period.
– Expertise in conducting independent archival research.
– Efficiency in teamwork.
Additional information
An extended version of this advertisement, with a link to detailed description of the entire research programme, is to be found at the job vacancy and recruitment website of Utrecht University (for address see below). For any queries please contact the programme’s supervisor, Prof. Piet Steenbakkers (Piet.Steenbakkers@phil.uu.nl).
• How to apply
Follow the instructions in the job advertisement on the recruitment website of Utrecht University: http://www.uu.nl/EN/informationfor/jobseekers/Pages/vacancies.aspx; search Faculty of Humanities (organisation) or Velthuysen (keyword).
Upload the following items before or on 31 March 2014:
1. A personal letter, in English or in Dutch, detailing your motivation and your suitability for the position; 2. A curriculum vitae, including academic qualifications and a list of publications; 3. The names and contact information of at least two referees.