Freie Universität Berlin
Fachbereich Philosophie und Geisteswissenschaften - Institut für Philosophie Forschungsgruppe CRITICAL AGENCY
The CRITICAL AGENCY project group (funded by the DFG's Emmy Noether Programme) researches critique as it is manifest in critical encounters: critique does not always land; some critics are systematically ignored, some talk past each other, and sometimes people have only limited access to the resources they need to develop a critical stance. In such cases, critical agency, i.e. the capacity to put forward critique that is actually taken up as critique, is limited. The research group investigates what critical agency consists of and what circumstances promote or inhibit it. Particular attention is paid to the roles that understanding and ignorance play in critical encounters – on the part of critics, addressees and bystanders. In order to answer philosophical questions arising from our real-world practices, the project theorises critical agency with the help of ethnographic resources such as thick descriptions, field work, interviews, etc. The project thus develops an ethnographically informed political epistemology that examines the interaction between sociopolitical and epistemological aspects of critical agency.
Research assistant (praedoc) (m/f/d)
with 65% part-time job
limited to 31.03.2028
salary grade (Entgeltgruppe) 13 TV-L FU
reference code: DM_Praedoc_2026
Tasks
- Research and publication activities in political (e.g. feminist and critical race) epistemology, social epistemology, ethnographically informed philosophy and possibly political philosophy of language, with a focus on the topics of ignorance and understanding.
- The research is to be carried out as part of a philosophical dissertation project.
- Providing content-related and organisational support to the project leaders, e.g. in workshops.
- Mentoring the student assistant.
- Participating in the activities of the CRITICAL AGENCY research group.
Requirements
MA degree in philosophy.
Desirable:
- Outstanding MA degree in philosophy
- Experience or interest in collaborative research projects.
- Willingness to develop your philosophical project in an ethnographically informed manner (e.g. working with an ethnographic case study, using ethnographic literature, etc.).
- Possibly already have access to an ethnographically interesting field (e.g. through activist work or specific social situatedness).
- Excellent written and spoken English skills (at least C1 according to CEFR). All activities of the research group are conducted in English.
- High ability to work in a team.
- Familiarity with or interest in some of the following areas of philosophy: political (e.g. feminist, critical race) epistemology, social epistemology, ethnographically informed philosophy, ethnography, philosophical methodology, political philosophy of language.
- Openness to connections to social philosophy, political theory, critical theory, anthropology.
For further information, please contact Dr. Deborah Mühlebach (d.muehlebach@fu-berlin.de).
How to apply
Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with significant documents [letter of motivation, CV, diplomas (BA, MA), Master's thesis, detailed outline of your own research project (2-4 pages) on a topic relevant to the position, reference letter including contact details (email)], indicating the reference code, no later than October 06th, 2025 in PDF format (preferably as one document) to Dr. Deborah Mühlebach: henrietta.schiffer@fu-berlin.de or postal to
Freie Universität Berlin
Fachbereich Philosophie und Geisteswissenschaften
Institut für Philosophie
Forschungsgruppe CRITICAL AGENCY
Dr. Deborah Mühlebach
Habelschwerdter Allee 30
14195 Berlin (Dahlem)
With an electronic application, you acknowledge that FU Berlin saves and processes your data. FU Berlin cannot guarantee the security of your personal data if you send your application over an unencrypted connection.
Freie Universität Berlin is an equal opportunity employer.
Facts
| Published | 08.09.2025 |
|---|---|
| Category | Research assistant |
| Location | Germany, Berlin, Berlin |
| Area of responsibility | Research (academic), Teaching (university) |
| Start date (earliest) | Earliest possible |
| Duration | limited to 31.03.2028 |
| Full/Part-time | with 65% part-time job |
| Remuneration | salary grade (Entgeltgruppe) 13 TV-L FU |
| Working language and expected level |
|
| Homepage | https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/index.html |
Requirements
| Field of study | Humanities, Philosophy |
|---|
Contact
| Reference number | DM_Praedoc_2026 |
|---|---|
| Contact person | Frau Dr. Deborah Mühlebach |
| Contact email | d.muehlebach@fu-berlin.de |
Apply
| Application deadline | 06.10.2025 |
|---|---|
| Reference number | DM_Praedoc_2026 |
| Application documents | letter of motivation, CV, diplomas (BA, MA), Master's thesis, detailed outline of your own research project (2-4 pages) on a topic relevant to the position, reference letter including contact details (email) |
| By post | Freie Universität Berlin
|
| By email | henrietta.schiffer@fu-berlin.de |