Doctoral Position: Human Rights versus Democracy? Towards a Conceptual Genealogy of Skepticism about Human Rights in Contemporary Political Thought (EXPIRED)

ERC Starting Grant RESIST 2012-2015

Political Theory, History of Political Thought, Political and Legal Philosophy

The European Research Council funded research project RESIST “Human Rights versus Democracy? Towards a Conceptual Genealogy of Skepticism about Human Rights in Contemporary Political Thought” located at the Centre for Political Theory (Prof. Justine Lacroix) at the Université libre de Bruxelles searches for a doctoral research fellow for October 1, 2012.

The aim of RESIST is to outline a conceptual genealogy and a critical typology of the theoretical arguments that have been advanced, in the name of democracy, against the dominant human rights discourse of contemporary societies. The main types of critique will be outlined, with an emphasis on their complexity and diverse nature. This typology will then be supplemented with historical contextualisation. Contemporary examples of the democratic critique of the primacy of human rights will be compared with historical examples of thinkers who criticised human rights as such, notably Bentham, Burke, Marx, De Maistre, Comte and Schmitt.  The detailed research project can be obtained upon request at the email address below.

More information about the Centre de théorie politique can be found on the website of the Centre. 

Starting Date : October 1, 2012

Eligibility : Candidates must have obtained a Master in Politics, Law or Philosophy before the starting date of the contract.  The doctoral dissertation might be written either in French or in English. However, participation in the research activities at the Centre de théorie politique require a basic knowledge of French. 

Duration : 3 years. Salary : Depending of the candidate’s scientific background, the net salary will vary between 1500 and 1700 euros.

Facilities : the doctoral fellow will be offered a shared office at the University. Funds will be available to cover travel costs and the purchase of books/journals.

Required documents : Curriculum Vitae with a list of Publications; Research Project (max. 3 pages) and the names of two referees.

Please send your application in PDF-format via e-mail to the email address below before June, 15,  2011.

Justine Lacroix
Professor in Political Science
Université libre de Bruxelles
CP 124
44, avenue Jeanne
1050 Brussels