[PHILOS-L] Reminder: 3-year Funded PhD position in Philosophy of Mathematics at Aix-Marseille University (France), June 2, 2024

[CANTU TESTA Paola]

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This is a message to remind you that the deadline for sending applications for a 3-year Funded PhD position in Philosophy of Mathematics at Aix-Marseille University (France) is June 2, 2024. For further information about the position, please visit the website of the project ANR AXDEF (https://axdef.hypotheses.org/recrutement).

Please note that only applications submitted on the CNRS Emploi website will be considered: 

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR7304-PAOCAN-001/Default.aspx?lang=EN

 

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JOB PROFILE

PhD in Philosophy of Mathematics

RESEARCH FIELD

Philosophy of Mathematics

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Centre Gilles Gaston Granger (Aix-Marseille University AMU / French National Research Center CNRS) and the French National Research Agency (ANR) are financing a PhD Project entitled “Axiomatic Definitions. Criteria of Adequacy and Typologies of Definitions in Axiomatic Theories of 19th and 20th centuries”. The research will focus on analyzing different kinds of definitions and different adequacy criteria that are used and discussed in axiomatic presentations of mathematical and logical theories. The successful PhD candidate will have the opportunity to work in the laboratory Centre Gilles Gaston Granger at Aix-en-Provence under the supervision of Paola Cantù (DR1 CNRS) and to collaborate with other researchers in History and Philosophy of Mathematics active at Aix-Marseille University. Strong links will also be made with the laboratory Science Philosophy and History (SPHERE, Vincenzo de Risi) and the Institut for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IHPST, Pierre Wagner) in Paris.

The present PhD project aims at producing for the first time i) an adequate taxonomy of definitions occurring in axiomatic theories, taking into account a variety of different aims (stipulative, descriptive, explanatory, ostensive, lexicographic), forms (conditional, by abstraction, by operators, circular, impredicative…), expressive force (depending on the chosen language), rules (according to the chosen logical theory) and mathematical practices; ii) a comparative inquiry of different adequacy criteria for definitions discussed by philosophers such as Gergonne, Dedekind, Frege, Pasch, Poincaré, Drobisch, Lotze, the Peano School, Enriques, Russell, Hilbert, the Polish logicians (especially Lesnieweski and Tarski), but also the American postulate theorists, the Vienna Circle (Carnap, of course, but also Hans Hahn), Gödel and Weyl. 

Relying on new and original data produced in the ANR Project AXDEF directed by Paola Cantù, and working in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, the PhD student will have the opportunity to develop innovative research hypotheses that will be diffused through the network of the AXDEF research project, but also contributing to wider research networks, such as IMÉRA (Gabriella Crocco) and GDR PHILMATH. The successful candidate will be required to enroll in the doctoral school Cognition, Language, Education (ED 356) of Aix-Marseille University and to fulfil the conditions thereby required for doctoral students.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS/EDUCATION & RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS

The PhD student will be in charge of reading and discussing texts published in different languages (a good knowledge of English and French is mandatory, of German desirable), in different historical periods (an interest in the history of mathematics and logic is recommended), and on topics concerning philosophy, mathematics and logic. The candidate should have a master’s degree (equivalent to a French M2) already obtained or to be obtained no later than October 2024 in Philosophy of Science. Skills in mathematics, logic, information theory as well as specific expertise on definitions are desirable. Evidence of working in multidisciplinary teams and ability to communicate across disciplines is desirable. The successful candidate will be asked to contribute to the scientific organization of a workshop on axiomatic definitions in 2026.

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Candidates are highly encouraged to submit an email of interest to Paola Cantù no later than May 5, 2024. The official deadline for the application and submission of the full dossier is June 2, 2024.

EVALUATION 

Candidates who have sent a letter of interest will receive feedback by May 12, 2024.. All candidates who have submitted a full dossier will be auditioned online between June 12 and June 21, 2024. Candidates are invited to prepare a 10 minutes presentation of their project and to answer questions asked by jury members.

REQUESTED DOCUMENTS OF APPLICATION

Candidates are requested to send the following documents: 
i) application letter detailing their motivation and how this PHD project fits their skills, 
ii) Curriculum Vitae, 
iii) Master thesis (or Master 1 thesis for French students or a written scientific sample),

iv) a detailed PhD project proposal (about 10 pages length), specifying the corpus (authors and references), a research hypothesis, a critical bibliography, a research plan and how the projects might fit in the ANR AXDEF PROJECT.

Candidates might add recommendation letters to their dossiers.

STARTING DATE

01/11/2024 (the funding will last 3 years)

JOB LOCATION

CGGG lab in Aix-en-Provence, France.

SALARY

The PHD position is funded by the ANR AXDEF PROJECT. Gross remuneration is about €2135.00 per month. No teaching is required, but participation in research seminars will be expected. Facilities will be granted for participation in workshops and conferences where the student contributes a talk. 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students of all nationalities are invited to apply; applications from women and minorities are particularly welcome. The Phd Thesis can be written in English or French. Proposals for joint supervisions will also be considered. The call for applications will be officially published on the French Job Platform of CNRS: https://emploi.cnrs.fr/

CONTACT

Paola Cantù paola...@univ-amu.fr Please specify in the object: [AXDEF_PHD]

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