Four-year PhD position 'Responses to Newton in 18th-century German philosophy'

philosophy'

(ref. BAP-2023-137)

Last modification : Thursday, March 9, 2023

The Institute of Philosophy of KU Leuven invites applications for a four-year PhD position. The research will be carried out in the context of the recently awarded project ‘Responses to Newton's Mathematical-Experimental Paradigm in 18th-Century Philosophy' (RENEW18). The EOS project is funded by the Belgian research councils FWO and F.R.S.-FNRS and led by Karin de Boer (KU Leuven), Steffen Ducheyne (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), and Arnaud Pelletier (Université libre de Bruxelles). More information on the project can be found here:

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The successful PhD candidate will carry out a subproject concerned with responses to Newton in 18th-century German philosophy. RENEW18 seeks to shed new light on 18th-century philosophy by focusing on (a) the pressure that Newton's mathematical-experimental paradigm exerted on philosophical paradigms shaped by, e.g., Aristotelianism, Cartesianism, Leibnizianism, and Wolffianism, (b) the motives of the philosophers at stake to respond to this pressure in a particular way, and (c) the shifts that ensued from this pressure. All proposals on developments and/or debates in 18th-century German philosophy related to the impact of Newton's mathematical-experimental paradigm will be taken into consideration as long as they fit within the scope of RENEW18.

In addition to conducting independent research, the selected applicant is expected to participate in the organization of common activities such as team meetings, talks, workshops, and conferences as well as to take up a modest teaching load. The working language is English.

Successful candidates will be employed at KU Leuven under the standard conditions. They will be offered a two-year contract (renewable for two more years). The fellowship provides for training opportunities, social and health benefits, office space, and a research budget.

Your application should include

- A short cover letter

- CV (including a publication list, if available, and the names and contact details of two referees)

- Academic transcript of your MA degree(s)

- A writing sample (15-25 pages)

- A research statement (2 pages) that (a) explains how your past studies bear on the advertized subproject and the project as a whole and (b) sketches your approach to the topic of the subproject

Deadline: June 1, 2023

Preferred starting date: September 2023

If you would like to apply but are unsure whether your ideas and expertise sufficiently match one of the project descriptions above, please contact Karin de Boer. It is allowed to apply for more than one position. A later starting date can be taken into consideration.

We expect the (online) interviews to take place in June. For more information, please contact Karin de Boer ([email protected])

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at [email protected].