Postdoc in the Epistemology of Moral Experiences in Technology

Offer Description

Job description

Technologies increasingly shape the moral landscape of our societies. In response, approaches such as Design for Values (DfV) and Value Sensitive Design seek to embed moral values like privacy, justice, and sustainability directly into the design process. But while DfV has many methods for eliciting what people currently value, it offers virtually no guidance regarding which values are the right ones to design for, which means designers risk baking harmful or mistaken values into the technologies we all live with.

This project, Techno-Moral Experience and the Foundations of Design for Values (TechnoMoralXP), tackles that gap head-on by building a moral epistemology for DfV. Its guiding idea is that our emotional and perceptual encounters with morally significant situations—moral experiences—are central to justified moral judgement, and can be harnessed in design.

As the WP1 postdoc, you develop lead the project's philosophical foundations. Working closely with Dr James Hutton and Prof. Ibo van de Poel, you will:

• develop a new conceptualisation of techno-moral experiences and distinguish them from neighbouring notions;
• analyse the epistemic roles such experiences can play in justifying design decisions and investigate their limitations;
• integrate your work with that of WP2, where a second postdoc builds a practical design toolkit based on your findings.

You will publish in leading ethics and technology-ethics journals; help shape a new research frontier between moral epistemology, technology ethics and design; and join a supportive, international team in one of the world's strongest groups in the ethics of technology.

Job requirements

• A PhD (completed, or very close to completion) in philosophy, with strength in metaethics, moral epistemology, ethics, or philosophy of emotion — or a closely related area.
• A track record, appropriate to career stage, of high-quality research and writing in relevant areas of philosophy.
• Genuine interest in the ethics of technology and/or in Design for Values; prior work in these areas is welcome but not required.
• Competence to work in an interdisciplinary team spanning philosophy and design, and to connect abstract epistemology to applied design questions.
• Excellent command of English and excellent academic writing skills.
• Enthusiasm for contributing to the group's wider intellectual life and, on occasion, its educational activities. (Up to 10% of the postdoc's time will be spent on educational activities.)

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Technology, Policy & Management

The Faculty of TPM provides an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. TPM does this with its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy. We combine insights from both engineering and social sciences as well as the humanities. TPM develops robust models and designs, is internationally oriented and has an extensive network of knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 3 years. Temporary.
• A job of 36-40 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information

For questions about the role, contact Dr James Hutton, Assistant Professor of Ethics & Philosophy of Technology (J.Hutton@tudelft.nl). For questions about the recruitment procedure, contact recruitment-tbm@tudelft.nl.

At TU Delft we value diversity and inclusion and warmly encourage candidates from groups underrepresented in academia to apply.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 15 November 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• A cover letter (max. 2 pages) setting out your fit, motivation and contact details.
• A CV.
• A writing sample: a paper you have authored that best demonstrates your work.
• A copy of your PhD certificate and transcript (or a supervisor's statement on expected completion).

If the applicants are selected for an interview, they will be asked to provide contact details of two referees with their consent.

Interviews are planned for 2nd–3rd December (first round) and 10th–11th December (second round), held online.

You can address your application to Dr James Hutton

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: TU Delft
• Country: Netherlands
• City: Delft
• Postal Code: 2628CD
• Street: Mekelweg 5

Contact

• City: Delft
• Website: http://www.tudelft.nl/
• Street: Mekelweg 2
• Postal Code: 2628 CD