Endowed Professor ‘Rijnlands kapitalisme: kenmerken, voorwaarden en mogelijkheden’ (m/f/x, 0.2 FTE, 5 years)

institutional conditions for broad prosperity, and new forms of entrepreneurship, cooperation and social responsibility.

The chair builds on a long-standing intellectual tradition at Tilburg University. From the university's early years onwards, scholars such as Martinus Cobbenhagen and Frans Weve reflected on the social responsibility of business and the relationship between economy and society. The chair connects this tradition to contemporary developments such as digitalisation, artificial intelligence, sustainability, economic inequality and democratic resilience.

Research and public dialogue

The endowed professor will develop an independent research agenda on Rhineland capitalism and related questions. Possible themes include:

• What are the moral, political and institutional preconditions and characteristics of the Rhineland model of capitalism, and how can it further be developed in response to contemporary societal challenges?
• Which institutional arrangements, governance models and forms of entrepreneurship contribute to broad prosperity, social cohesion and sustainable economic development?
• How can insights from philosophy, economics, theology and related disciplines be integrated to better understand the relationship between markets, public institutions and civil society?
• How can scientific knowledge contribute to public debate and provide actionable insights for businesses, governments and societal organizations seeking to develop more inclusive and resilient economic systems?

An important part of the chair is its contribution to public debate. The endowed professor is expected to bring academic expertise into wider discussions about the economy, values and society, and to communicate complex questions in accessible ways. Public lectures, essays, dialogue sessions, media engagement and other forms of knowledge exchange may form part of this work.

Education and academic leadership

Education is part of the chair, including guest lectures, seminars and student supervision. Depending on the candidate's profile and available opportunities, a broader contribution to interdisciplinary education may also be developed.

We are looking for someone who enjoys building connections: across disciplines, between academia and society, and between established research traditions and new ideas. Experience in supervising students and PhD candidates and in interdisciplinary collaboration is an advantage.

Embedding

The chair is hosted by the Department of Philosophy of Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD) and works closely with the Tilburg School of Economics and Management (TiSEM) and the Tilburg School of Catholic Theology (TST). This interdisciplinary setting brings together economic, philosophical, ethical and theological perspectives. The chair connects with existing university initiatives, including REDES – Resilient Democratic Society, the Academic Workplace (Be)sturen op Brede Welvaart, and the Centre for Religion in the Public Sphere.

The chair is a joint initiative of Tilburg University and Socires, an independent centre for societal issues and with a focus on what holds societies together and makes them liveable and sustainable.

The chair is made possible in part through the support of the Stichting Katholiek Hoger Onderwijs (SKHO) and connects with the tradition of Catholic social thought that has long been part of Tilburg University's intellectual identity. Tilburg University and Socires aim not only to strengthen research and societal dialogue through this collaboration, but also to explore further opportunities for joint development in education and research.

The appointment is 0.2 FTE (one day per week). Research, education, public engagement and the further development of the chair will be organized in proportion to the scope of the appointment. At the same time, the position is intended as a starting point from which, depending on the candidate, the development of the chair and available opportunities, further involvement in education and research may be explored.

Requirements

We are looking for a committed and intellectually curious scholar who can connect economics with philosophy, ethics, theology, political theory, economic history or a related field.

You hold a PhD and have published in relevant national and international academic journals and have the academic foundation to develop your own research agenda further.

We welcome candidates from a variety of academic backgrounds. A fully developed profile specifically in Rhineland capitalism is not a prerequisite. What matters is a strong intellectual affinity with the subject, the ambition to develop a distinctive research agenda, and the ability to create meaningful connections across disciplines and with societal practice.

You are also experienced or interested in connecting academic knowledge to society, and vice versa. Therefore, a proven record of working with (or realistic plans to do so) business and the public debate is recommended. Knowledge of/ambition to working with other societal partners and governments or other forms of knowledge exchange is a plus.

You recognize and value the intellectual tradition of Tilburg University and Socires, including their interest in social responsibility, broad prosperity and Catholic social thought. Working from the chair you should be willing to engage with this tradition seriously and critically.

A good command of Dutch is a requirement for this position. This is important because of the chair's contribution to Dutch public debate and its close engagement with societal partners in the Netherlands. A good command of English is expected for international academic collaboration and publication. Knowledge of a second or third language is an advantage.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 5 years.

The candidate will be appointed as an endowed professor at Tilburg University at 0.2 FTE for an appointment period of 5 years. The start date is negotiable.

Tilburg University offers excellent employment conditions with attention to flexibility and (personal) development. We make clear agreements about career paths and offer all kinds of facilities and arrangements to maintain an optimal balance between work and private life. The university actively pursues a policy for inclusive and interdisciplinary teams in which diverse talents are recognized and valued. The regulations and employment conditions of Tilburg University apply to remuneration and other employment conditions, in accordance with the university job classification as Professor 2.

The gross salary varies between €7,475 and €10,815 per month (full-time) based on the Full Professor 2 scale of the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities. University employees are entitled to a holiday allowance of 8%, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% of the gross annual income, and 41 days of holiday per year (based on full-time employment). We reimburse the full costs for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, public transport or transport with a fully electric car.

Employer

Tilburg University

Tilburg University is the university in the humanities and social sciences. Ever since our foundation in 1927, we have been committed to a just, inclusive, and sustainable society. With leading research and inspiring education, we contribute to the interpretation and, where possible, solutions to current societal issues, from climate change to digitalization

Our community is personal, engaged, and small-scale. On our green, compact, and vibrant campus there is room for encounter, collaboration, reflection, and personal growth. Read more about Tilburg University.

Working at Tilburg University means working in an inclusive team with attractive employment conditions. At Tilburg University, you will receive ample opportunities to strengthen your talents and develop your career, in a warm working atmosphere where we attach great importance to the following values: curious, connected, caring, and courageous.

Department

About the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD)

Research and education at the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD) focuses on humans, technology, culture, and their interactions in a globalizing digital society. From the interplay of our disciplines, our research and education focuses on the development of artificial intelligence and interactive technologies, their influence on communication, culture and society, and moral and existential challenges that arise. The School of Humanities and Digital Sciences consists of six Departments: Communication and Cognition, Computational Cognitive Science, Intelligent Systems, Culture Studies, Philosophy, and the Tilburg Center of the Learning Sciences. Collaboration across disciplines is encouraged among both researchers and students. With this approach, we nurture a way of thinking that takes into account different perspectives and the diverse, sometimes conflicting needs and interests of people and society. At TSHD, we foster a culture of integrity, trust, diversity and inclusion, and constructive and critical dialogue. All members of our community are recognized and valued for their unique contributions.

University College Tilburg, with its interdisciplinary Liberal Articles and Sciences program, holds a unique position within the School. This collaboration with other Schools also includes the disciplines of economics, law, and the social sciences. Read more about the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD).

Additional information

We warmly invite you to apply. The endowed chair’s structure report as well as additional information can be obtained from prof. dr. Maureen Sie, M.M.S.K.Sie@tilburguniversity.edu.

Working at Tilburg University

At Tilburg University, we seek to study and understand society and in this way we contribute to solving complex societal issues. Our core values are: curious, Caring, Connected, and Courageous. Read more