Logic List Mailing Archive
Postdoctoral position in theoretical philosophy, Konstanz (Germany), Deadline: 20 Apr 2014
Post-Doc position in Theoretical Philosophy, University of Konstanz,
Deadline: 20 April 2014
The University of Konstanz, with its ?Institutional Strategy to promote
Top-Level Research?, has been receiving continuous funding since 2007
within the framework of the Excellence Initiative by the German Federal
and State Governments.
At the Department of Philosophy (Theoretical Philosophy / Prof. Dr. Thomas
Müller) there is currently a vacancy for a
Full-time Post-Doc Position
(Salary Scale 13 TV-L)
The position will be available at project start in May 2014; a later
starting date is negotiable, but an early start (certainly before the end
of summer 2014) is preferred. In principle the position can be divided
into two half-time positions.
The position will be granted initially for 12 months, with an option for
an extension of up to a total of 36 months, as part of the new research
project ?Agency and (quantum) physics", a three-year interdisciplinary
project funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation under their
"Power of information" theme.
The project will bring together philosophers and physicists from
Innsbruck, Austria, and from Konstanz, Germany. The project group will
consist of four Post-Doc researchers in total, two of whom will be
situated at the Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of
Innsbruck and the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Computation
(IQOQI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (PI: Prof. Dr. Hans Briegel),
one at Innsbruck University's Department of Christian Philosophy (co-PI:
Prof. Dr. Edmund Runggaldier), and one at the Department of Philosophy at
the University of Konstanz (co-PI: Prof. Dr. Thomas Müller). This vacancy
is for the Konstanz position; however, regular exchanges with Innsbruck
will be integral to the project.
Project background
--------------------------
We live in a world that seems to be governed, at all scales, by the laws
of physics. How can there be agency in such a world? How can agents
influence the course of nature if they are, at the same time, subjected to
her universal laws? How do we "fit in"? This problem of agency constitutes
the overarching Big Question that this project is intended to address. An
answer to this question is a necessary precondition for an understanding
of free will and responsibility. We expect to break new ground for our
understanding of agency by using a multidisciplinary approach that brings
together experienced researchers in quantum physics and in philosophy. We
will connect these disciplines by focusing on explicit models that retain
a high degree of disciplinary embedding. On the physics side, we will
develop models of agency that can be fully described in the language of
physics and information processing. This will include models of quantum
agents that exploit basic features of quantum physics, such as quantum
superposition, interference, as well as de-coherence, as a resource for
their agency. On the philosophical side, research will start by analyzing
these simple, but explicit physical models for agents, employing methods
from analytical philosophy. We will thereby take a fresh look on different
current philosophical positions regarding the problem of agency,
causation, diachronic identity, intentionality, and powers.
Further information
-------------------------
The research project is situated in a lively research area at the
interface of philosophy, physics, and computer science, with further
connections to many neighboring disciplines. The project will start in May
2014. Applicants should be willing to travel between Konstanz and
Innsbruck on a regular basis, and to help in organizing the project's
public activities.
We are looking for a talented and dedicated young researcher with a strong
PhD in a relevant area of philosophy (other relevant backgrounds may be
considered) and with proven research capabilities, who is willing to work
in an active interdisciplinary team. The research carried out in the
project includes links to physics, computer science, logic and philosophy
of science, and some background in these fields is a plus. Fluency in
English is required.
How to apply
-----------------
Applications should contain the following, in the form of a single PDF
document sent by e-mail:
* an application letter in English;
* a CV in English;
* a writing sample, in English, Dutch or German, of max. 25 pages;
* a scan of the PhD certificate;
* a link to an online version of the PhD thesis;
* contact information of two people willing to recommend you for this post (optional);
* a list of grades (optional).
Interviews are planned for the last week of April, most likely Monday, 28
April 2014.
The University of Konstanz is an equal opportunity employer that tries to
increase the number of women in research and teaching.
The University of Konstanz has been certified as a family-friendly
institution by the Hertie Foundation and is committed to further the
compatibility of work and family life.
The University of Konstanz offers a ?Dual Career Couples Programme?.
Information is available at: http://www.uni-konstanz.de/dcc .
The University of Konstanz encourages disabled persons to apply. They will
be given preference if appropriately qualified (contact +49 (0) 7531 / 88
? 4895).
Please e-mail your digital application to
Sekretariat.Mueller@uni-konstanz.de Please indicate the reference number
2014 / 064 in the subject line.
The deadline for applications is 20 April 2014.
http://www.uni-konstanz.de/stellenangebote/?cont=stellausw&seite=2014/064&id=1