Heidelberg University is a comprehensive university with a strong focus on research and international standards. With around 32,200 students and 9,540 employees, including numerous top researchers, it is a globally respected institution that also has outstanding economic significance for the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region.
The Department of Philosophy at the Faculty of Philosophy, Heidelberg University, is seeking to fill a part-time (65%) postdoctoral research position leading to a PhD, as part of the three-year DFG project ‘Normative Conflicts: Normative Monism, Deliberation, and Morality’s Place’, to start as soon as possible (preferably 1 October). The position is limited to three years; an extension for a further year may be possible.
Normative conflicts arise when norms of different domains (moral, prudential, epistemic…) seem to yield incompatible obligations. While normative pluralists deny the existence of a domain-independent ought (ought simpliciter) which could decide such conflicts, monists defend that possibility. The DFG-project aims to contribute to this debate in several respects. The advertised position will focus on the relative role and special place of morality within the multitude of domains and will especially inquire into the prospects for a domain-independent consequentialist view.
Researcher Position in Practical Philosophy at the University of Heidelberg (f/m/d)
TV-L 13, 65%
Your responsibilities:
* Philosophical research within the sub-project on normative monism and consequentialist ethics.
* Participation in the organization of project related conferences and other activities
* Willingness to cooperate on joint publications of the project including an edited volume and further related project applications.
* No teaching obligations.
Your profile:
* An excellent Master’s degree in philosophy (preferably with a focus on practical analytic philosophy)
* Interest in both the theory of normativity and normative ethics (previous work in these areas is preferred but not required) and a general motivation to work independently
* Excellent analytical reasoning skills
* Enjoyment of acquiring new skills and engaging in intellectual exchange
* Ability to work as part of a team, a goal-oriented approach to work and academic commitment
We offer:
* An exciting research task with high responsibility and research output
* A welcoming team of colleagues
* Supporting research environment for further qualification
* The option to teach
We are looking forward to application via e-mail until Tuesday, 30th of June 2026, to bewerbungphilosophie@uni-heidelberg.de. (Job talks are envisaged for 6th to 8th July). Please provide a PDF-document including a letter of motivation, a CV, one or two writing samples (term paper, Master thesis, manuscript or paper) and a sketch of your thought on the research project (2 to 4 pages), as well as two references with contact details (no letter of recommendation required). For inquiries, please contact Prof. Susanne Mantel, susanne.mantel@uni-heidelberg.de.
Heidelberg University stands for equal opportunities and diversity. Persons with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Information on job advertisements and the collection of personal data is available at www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/job-market.