The Philosophers' Cocoon

A safe and supportive forum for philosophers.

Owned & Moderated by Marcus Arvan (University of Tampa)

Contact: marvan@ut.edu

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Job-Market Reporting Thread (2025-26)
Job-Market Discussion Thread (2025-26)

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  • How are publications in science journals viewed in philosophy?

    In our newest “how can we help you?” thread, a reader asks:

    I have a question about science journals versus philosophy journals.

    I work in philosophy of science. Recently, I’ve been working more with scientists, co-authoring (sometimes as first author) articles in highly regarded general science journals. How are such publications viewed within philosophy? I ask because I worry that I’m slowly making myself not marketable within philosophy or science (I’m not in a TT position yet.) In particular, I fine myself wondering whether a research direction I have right now is better targeted to general philosophy or to general science journals, assuming I might be able to get traction in either area. My temptation is to publish in science journals because they tend to get far more readership, but I fear philosophers on hiring committees might place lower value on such publications. Thoughts?

    I don’t feel particularly well-positioned to weigh in on this. But offhand, I’d guess publishing in some science journals may be fine (or even good) provided one also publishes consistently in philosophy journals–though if one is publishing primarily in science journals, that could potentially raise concerns.

    What do readers think, particularly those who are better situated to give good answers?

    9

  • TT community college job or VAP at 4-year institution?

    In our newest “how can we help you?” thread, a reader asks:

    Let’s say one has two job offers, one a tenure-track job offer at a community college, and the other a VAP at a good-enough but not particularly well-known 4 year institution. Do Cocooners think that one would be more competitive on the job market in future cycles, looking for tenure-track jobs at 4 year institutions, coming from the VAP at the 4 year or the community college? To me, the community college seems like a better deal: the pay is better, there’s more of a safety net in case the job market continues to be dire, and the location is better, to boot. But I’m unsure whether or not the community college experience is something that meaningfully drags you down in searches held at 4 years, especially institutions like R2s.

    Not sure, but in this market environment I think I’d take the tenure-track CC job for all the reasons the OP mentions. I personally know people who have reported loving their CC jobs, more so than jobs at 4-year institutions they’ve had. Could taking a CC job make it more difficult to obtain a TT job at a 4-year institution? Maybe. But then again, so could a VAP at a not-particularly-well-known institution.

    What do readers think?

    8

  • QUERY rule for job reporting thread?

    In our newest “how can we help you?” thread, a reader asks:

    Some food for thought re: organizing the job market reporting thread, which can get a bit unwieldy, as well as lowering ordinarily high levels of philosophy-professor neuroticism—how would people feel about instituting a rule that comments of the query type are only postable a month after the deadline closes? I do think a rule like this is in order… most departments are pretty slow.

    I’m happy for users to informally institute a rule like this, but I don’t think it’s something that I can institute or enforce effectively, as I don’t know when job apps are due.

    What do readers involved in the reporting thread think about this?

    3

  • Tips for Australian job apps?

    In our newest “how can we help you?” thread, a reader asks:

    I am applying for an Australian permanent position for the first time. I would appreciate any and all advice people have to give about Australian applications. What are some differences from other job markets to bear in mind? Do Australian committee veterans have any stories to tell about when candidates got it badly wrong? Are there idiosyncratic things about the Australian system (like the REF in the UK or the NWO – not THAT NWO… – in the Netherlands) that are worth talking about in the application?

    This is a great query, and I’m curious to hear answers!

    Any readers able to weigh in with any helpful tips?

    2