Postdoctoral Fellowship in The Consensus Project – Philosophy of Science and Social Epistemology University of Iceland in Iceland

Applications are invited for two full-time postdoctoral fellowships at the Institute of Philosophy, School of Humanities, University of Iceland. These positions are part of The Consensus Project (ConsensusPro), a research initiative funded by a grant of excellence from the Icelandic Research Fund (RANNÍS). The fellowships are fixed-term for three years and focus on the epistemology of consensus in science, its role in scientific progress, and its impact on science communication and public trust.

The Consensus Project investigates the legitimacy and reliability of consensus-based reasoning in scientific contexts, aiming to develop a rigorous theoretical framework using methodological triangulation. This includes philosophical analysis, historical and hypothetical case studies, formal methods such as probability theory, and computer simulations (e.g., agent-based models). The project also explores how consensus reporting can serve as a rational basis for laypeople’s beliefs about scientific results and examines the role of consensus in both empirical and non-empirical research.

The project is led by Professor Finnur Dellsén (University of Iceland & University of Inland Norway), with co-investigators Joey Pollock (University of Oslo), Dunja Seselja (Ruhr University Bochum & TU Eindhoven), and Peter Vickers (Durham University). An advisory board includes Maria Baghramian, Franz Dietrich, Mikkel Gerken, Stephan Lewandowsky, Cailin O’Connor, and Miriam Solomon, representing institutions across Europe and the US.

Main duties include conducting independent and collaborative research, publishing results, presenting at conferences, assisting with project operations, and participating in regular team meetings. The postdoctoral fellows will be based primarily at the University of Iceland in Reykjavík, with support for visa applications for non-EU/EEA candidates. The University offers specialized assistance for international staff.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold a PhD (completed within 5 years of the fellowship start date) in philosophy or a closely related field. Extensions to the eligibility window are considered for career breaks. Candidates should demonstrate excellent English proficiency and have a research background relevant to the project, with specializations in social epistemology (especially formal epistemology or philosophical applications of computer simulations) or philosophy of science (especially social epistemology of science, history of science, or metaphilosophy).

Funding: The positions are funded by the Icelandic Research Fund (RANNÍS), with salaries following standardized wage agreements between the Association of University Teachers and the Ministry of Finances. The expected start date is September 1, 2026 (negotiable).

Application Process: Applications should be submitted via the online portal. Required documents include an academic CV, a brief letter of motivation (up to 400 words), a sample of academic writing, certificates of academic degrees, and contact details for two or three referees. After initial screening, longlisted candidates will be asked for a research statement; shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview. For further information, contact Professor Finnur Dellsén ([email protected]) or Eiríkur Smári Sigurðsson ([email protected]).

Appointments are made in accordance with the Equal Rights Policy of the University of Iceland. All applicants will be informed of the outcome, and applications may be valid for six months.