Two Phd studentships (fully funded for three years) at the University of Vienna
The first studentship is earmarked for a project at the borderline of philosophy of science and physics: (1) projects in general philosophy of science with reference to the history or the current state of the physical sciences; or (2) projects in the philosophy of physics itself. Projects in (1) might focus on debates over scientific realism, on the unity/disunity, pluralism/monism debates, on the relationship between experiment and theory, or on the role of intuitions in physical theorizing. Projects in (2) might e.g. focus on philosophical questions concerning quantum gravity and quantum optics, or the role of irreversibility in philosophy and (quantum) physics. — Work in this area would be co-supervised by one of the philosophers in the in the doctoral college (professors Kusch, Nemeth or Stadler) together with a physicist (professor Aspelmeyer).
The second studentship can be in any area covered by the title “The Sciences in Historical, Philosophical and Cultural Contexts”, though applicants should take into account that the list of possible supervisors is restricted to the the staff of the doctoral college: Prof. Mitchell Ash (History of Science), Prof. Markus Aspelmeyer (Physics), Prof. Martin Kusch (Philosophy and Sociology of Science), Prof. Gerd Müller (Biology), Prof. Elisabeth Nemeth (Philosophy of Science), Prof. Carola Sachse (History of Science), Prof. Karl Sigmund (History of Science), and Prof. Friedrich Stadler (History and Philosophy of Science).
Here follows the official text with details about the application process:
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At the University of Vienna (15 faculties, 3 centres, about 188 fields of study, approx. 9.400 members of staff, more than 90.000 students) the position of a
Project Staff
at the Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies
is vacant.
Identification number of advertisement: 5339
Faculty of Historical and Cultural Studies, in cooperation with the Faculties of Life Sciences, Mathematics, Philosophy/Education and Physics
The Doctoral Program (“DK program”) „The Sciences in Historical, Philosophical and Cultural Contexts“ announces the award of
up to 2 fully paid doctoral student positions (Category a) and up to 6 associate positions (Category b, for students with other basic support)
for up to 4 years beginning 1 March 2015.
One of the positions in the category (a) will be awarded with priority to: (1) projects in general philosophy of science with reference to the history or the current state of the physical sciences; or (2) projects in the philosophy of physics itself. Projects in (1) might focus on debates over scientific realism, on the unity/disunity, pluralism/monism debates, on the relationship between experiment and theory, or on the role of intuitions in physical theorising. Projects in (2) might e.g. focus on philosophical questions concerning quantum gravity and quantum optics, or the role of irreversibility in philosophy and (quantum) physics.
The other position in the category (a) and the Associate positions (category b) will be awarded with open field within the framework of the DK program (see below).
With the support of the Austrian Science Foundation (FWF), the University of Vienna offers a Ph.D. program, the aims of which are: to offer a structured interdisciplinary curriculum in History, Philosophy and Cultural Studies of Science with the collaboration of international visitors, and to make possible the joint supervision of dissertations by historians/philosophers of science and natural scientists/mathematicians.
Positions in the program are funded for up to 3 years; PhD students who complete 6 months stay abroad will be awarded a 4th year of support. Participation in the curriculum is required; members of the DK program (in Category a and Category b) must therefore reside continuously in Vienna. Participation once or more in the annual „Vienna International Summer University“ in the first half of July is also part of the program.
Extent of Employment: 30.0 hours/week
Occupation group in accordance with collective bargaining agreement: §48
VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc)
On top of this relevant chargeable work experience determines the assessment to a particular salary grade.
Areas of work:
Recipients of fully paid studentships (Collegiates, Category a) are employed according to the provisions of the FWF and the standard labor contract (Kollektivvertrag) of the University for 30 hours/week at the University of Vienna. Involvement in teaching is possible beginning in the second year of the program; remuneration for such activity will be additional to basic funding. Health and social insurance will be covered by the University. Tuition fee exemption, additional support for students with children, and funding for research and research related travel expenses are included. Associates of the program (Category b) are not employed by the University within the framework of the DK program, but may enter into other research-related employment – including employment by the University of Vienna. Associates must complete all curriculum requirements and also have the right to apply for funding for research or research related travel expenses.
Profile:
Employment requirements: Completed advanced degree (Magister/Diplom/Master) in History, Philosophy, History of Science, History and Philosophy of Science, a relevant natural, social or cultural science or Mathematics. Applicants with one or more relevant BA/BSc degrees may be considered in exceptional cases.
Application procedure:
An application for a studentship (Category a) or an associate position (Category b) in the DK program, „The Sciences in Historical, Philosophical and Cultural Contexts“ must be supported by the following documentation in German or English:
– A cover letter stating the reasons for applying;
– Curriculum vitae;
– Documentation of previous studies and copies of all university degrees received;
– A brief exposé of the proposed dissertation project (maximum 5 pages) with bibliography (maximum one page), stating the relation of the proposed project to the research topic areas of the program (see web site) or the reasons for proposing a project outside the topic areas;
– Two letters of recommendation, one of which being preferably from the advisor of the latest degree thesis. These should be sent separately by the deadline date either by E-mail or by post to the Coordinator (address below).
Applications for paid studentships (Category a) and for Associate positions (Category b) must be submitted with the same supporting materials. Applicants for paid studentships (Category a) may be offered
associate positions (Category b).
Deadline and Addresses for applications:
Applications will be considered during January 2015, and admissions announced by the beginning of February 2015. Short listed applicants will be invited to Vienna for a personal interview. Applicants residing in Europe will receive reimbursement for travel to the interview; applicants residing outside Europe will be interviewed by telephone or video conference. Study in the program will begin on 1 March 2015. Applications are due by 15 December 2014, and may be addressed to the Job Center of the University of Vienna, Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria ([email protected]) (key number 5339), or directly to the DK program, „The Sciences in Historical, Philosophical and Cultural Contexts“ via [email protected]. Application by E-mail with attachments (MS Word or PDF format please) is preferred; applications by post should be sent via priority air mail (latest postmark: 15 December).
Applications including a letter of motivation (German or English) should be sent via the Job Center to the University of Vienna (http://jobcenter.univie.ac.at) no later than 15 December 2015 and be referenced to the identification number 5339.
For further information, please contact: Ash, Mitchell (Speaker) +43-1-4277-40837, Aspelmeyer, Markus +43-1-4277-72530, Kusch, Martin +43-1-4277-46422, Müller, Gerd +43-1-4277-56700, Nemeth, Elisabeth +43-1-4277-46480, Sachse, Carola +43-1-4277-41207, Sigmund, Karl +43-1-4277-50612, Stadler, Friedrich +43-1-4277-46497, +43-1-4277-41209, Pils, Ramon (Project Manager) +43-1-4277-40872.
The University of Vienna intends to increase the number of women on its faculty, particularly in high-level positions, and therefore specifically invites applications by women. Among equally qualified applicants women will receive preferential consideration.
Human Resources and Gender Equality of the University of Vienna Identification number of advertisement: 4638
E-Mail: [email protected]
