“Combatting self-righteousness: a vice of the digital age” (ERC CZ Grant No. LL2308 (MŠMT)) is a five-year research project led by Professor John Lippitt and based at the Centre for Ethics as Study in Human Value, University of Pardubice. The scholarship here advertised will fund a competitive full-time PhD studentship that will contribute to the goals of this project. The successful applicant will be given academic and administrative support to pursue their research within the bounds of the project and the opportunity to participate in the Centre’s lively PhD community. We especially welcome candidates with a strong academic record who are keen to pursue research on or related to one or more of the following topics:
- vices and virtues in digital environments
- collective/group vices and virtues
- moralism
- other vices relevant to self-righteousness (e.g. vices of pride, hypocrisy, closed-mindedness)
- epistemic/affective bubbles and echo chambers
- moral grandstanding/virtue-signalling
- the ethics of anger
- ethical aspects of polarization
- moral criticism and the ethics of social punishment
Further details of the project may be found here: Self-righteousness | Centre for ethics (upce.cz)
We especially welcome applications from members of underrepresented groups.
Requirements:
- The applicants follow the general Admission requirements to the PhD Programme in Philosophy at the University of Pardubice.
- Please indicate your interest in this position in your Research Proposal and explain how your Research Proposal would contribute to/fit into the project’s themes.
Practical information
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult in advance with their prospective supervisor on their Research Proposal, so please contact Professor Lippitt (johnandrew.lippitt@upce.cz).
- The standard length of study is 4 years in the full-time study mode, starting at the beginning of the academic year. The university offers a generous monthly stipend provided that all study and project requirements are met.
- The working language of the PhD programme and of the Centre is English and applicants should have a good grasp of academic English. No knowledge of Czech is required.
- The University of Pardubice is located within walking distance from the historical centre of Pardubice, a charming city in the heart of Europe. Pardubice is well connected by train to several major European cities, including Prague (1 hour) and Vienna (3 hours).
Applicants for this position follow the general guidelines for application into the PhD Study at the University of Pardubice. Applications together with all the required documents and application fee should be submitted by 30th April 2025 via Electronic admission application.
For further inquiries, contact Prof. John Lippitt (johnandrew.lippitt@upce.cz).
Position: PhD Scholarship
Duration: Up to 4 years
Number of positions: 1
Disciplines: Philosophy
Location: Centre for Ethics, University of Pardubice, Czech Republic
Start date: 1 October 2025