Postdoc position 2 - philosophy of biology/science - emergence and reductionism - up to 2 years - University of Namur (Belgium)

[ISHPSS]

 

From: Olivier Sartenaer <olivier....@UNAMUR.BE>

The University of Namur is inviting applications for a postdoctoral researcher position (M/F/X; full-time research; 1 year renewable) in philosophy of science and/or philosophy of biology. 

Missions 

• Context: your research will take place in the context of the FNRS ‘scientific impulse mandate’ of Prof. Olivier Sartenaer Re-engineering Non-reductive Physicalism for the 21st Century. The project, briefly described below, is hosted by the ‘Science, Philosophy and Society Department’ (https://directory.unamur.be/entities/ssps) of the Faculty of Science. 
  
• Research: you will contribute to the project's third work package, relating to the search for empirical exemplifications of the concept of transformational emergence within biological phenomena (including major evolutionary transitions). 
  
• Services: in addition to the research component, you will contribute to the intellectual life of your host department (team meetings, seminars, inaugural conference, etc.).

Scientific profile
Experience, skills and qualities required: 

• You have a PhD in philosophy (specialization in philosophy of science and/or philosophy of biology); 
• You have a track record of cutting-edge research (publications, conferences, etc.) in the philosophy of science and/or the philosophy of biology; 
• You have expertise on the topic of emergence and reductionism in the sciences, particularly in biology; 
• You will be able to integrate well into the existing research team and work effectively with its members; 
• You are motivated to successfully complete a collaborative project; 
• You have a good command of written and spoken English. 
  

Asset skills : 

• You are organized, rigorous and autonomous;
• You have a degree in biological or biomedical sciences;
• You have a good command of spoken French. 

Mobility and seniority requirements 
To be eligible, you must be internationally mobile, i.e. you must not have lived or carried out your main activity (employment, studies, etc.) in Belgium for more than 24 months in the three years preceding the date on which you take up your post. In addition, you must have obtained your doctorate less than 10 years ago (exceptions may apply). 

Start date and duration 

September 1, 2024 (or at the earliest after this date) for a period of one year (renewable once) 

Monthly amount of the grant 

3.160.05€ 

How to apply 

Applications must be sent before the deadline in the form of a single PDF file to the following address: olivier....@unamur.be. All submissions will be acknowledged. 

The application file will include, in order: 

• A detailed academic CV; 
• A copy of the relevant diplomas; 
• A summary of the doctoral thesis (max. 2 pages) ; 
• The thesis defense report ; 
• A covering letter explaining your interest in the proposed research and highlighting your relevant skills for carrying it out (max. 2 pages); 
• A selection of one or two publications illustrating expertise relevant to the project; 
• The names and e-mail addresses of two academic references (who will not be required to submit a formal letter of recommendation but who may be contacted by the selection committee). 

Candidates whose applications are judged more favorably will be invited to an audition (possibly by videoconference, during which a language and/or skills test may be organized, if relevant). 

Deadline for applications 
March 1, 2024. 

If you have any questions about the project or the selection procedure 
Contact Olivier Sartenaer via : olivier....@unamur.be

 

Brief description of the project and team structure 
The main aim of the research project Re-engineering Non-reductive Physicalism for the 21st Century is to develop a new construal of emergence in line with recent work on so-called ‘transformational emergence’, as a new way of reconciling physicalism with genuine antireductionism. 

The project will approach transformational emergence in 3 stages:
(i) A historical approach aimed at writing the recent history of the notion (which has been invisibilized by a powerful historical bias in favor of traditional synchronic varieties of emergence);
(ii) A metaphysical approach with the aim of constructing a theory of transformational emergence; (iii) An empirical approach to exemplify transformational emergence in fundamental physics and evolutionary biology. 

The position in question here is part of the third of these phases. Olivier Sartenaer and a PhD student are already working on moments (i) and (ii) of the project. A second postdoctoral fellowship (in the philosophy of physics) is open in parallel with this one. By the end of 2024, the team will comprise 4 researchers. 

Brief description of the research environment 

The ‘Science, Philosophy and Society’ department of the Faculty of Science at UNamur is quite unique in Europe, bringing together teachers and researchers with backgrounds in both the humanities and the natural sciences. It offers critical reflection on the hypotheses, methods and results of science and technology, as well as on the ethical, social, political and religious issues at stake in their development. 

Recently, under the impetus of one of its new members, Olivier Sartenaer, the department has opened up two new lines of research. The first, oriented towards science education and communication, focuses on public understanding of the nature of science as assessed from the point of view of epistemology. It is within the second area, which focuses on the debate between emergence and reductionism in the sciences, that the present call for applications falls.