Postdoctoral Research Associate in Philosophy of Science

The Louvain Research Institute for Landscape, Architecture and Built Environment (LAB) at the Université Catholique de Louvain is looking for a motivated and qualified postdoctoral research associate in philosophy of science. The research will be supervised by Prof. Daniela Perrotti, head of the interdisciplinary research team Urban Metabolism lab. 

The postdoctoral position is of a duration of 21 months and is part of an interdisciplinary research project funded by the Belgian Research Council F.R.S-FNRS. The main aim of the project is the development of a conceptual meta-framework and integrated model decision system for the study of the metabolism of urban social-ecological systems. 

The project involves two postdocs in philosophy of science and ecological modelling who will liaise and work with a range of stakeholders in urban and social ecology. 

The work of the postdoc researcher will consist of developing a conceptual framework providing theoretical foundations to urban metabolism research and drawing on main notions in urban and social ecology. Main research methods include bibliographic analysis and scientific landscape mapping, taxonomy and classification network development. The researcher will also test the conceptual framework via semi-structured interviews and focus groups with scientists in social and urban ecology and other disciplines. The research will be performed in close collaboration with the other postdoctoral researcher in ecological modelling. 

Start date: 1 October 2022 (adjustable based on the availability of the selected candidate). 

The postdoc researcher will be based at the Brussels campus of the LAB Institute, Rue Henri Wafelaerts 47,1060 Brussels. 

Further details about this position can be obtained from the supervisor, Prof. Daniela Perrotti, [email protected]  

Qualifications

Minimum of a PhD in relevant subject area (philosophy of science, epistemology, science and technology studies).

Relevant PhD dissertation topic. 

Skills

• Fluency in English
• Excellent written English communication skills
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Excellent presentation and oral communication skills
• Ability to work independently within agreed guidelines
• Commitment to developing internationally competitive publication profile 

Relevant experience

• Previous experience in bibliographic analysis, sematic networks and scientific landscape mapping (e.g. PhD thesis and follow up research)
• Engagement with qualitative data management (e.g. PhD thesis and follow up research)
• Knowledge of and interest in the Urban Metabolism approach; general Urban Sustainability knowledge.
• Knowledge of Ontology Web Language (or similar approach to taxonomy and classification network development) will be an asset.

Benefits

The net monthly salary is of up to 2.700€ after tax (depending on seniority). In addition to the salary, the funding package also covers social benefits, health care and allowance for traveling to and from work. An additional budget of 6.000€ is provided to cover international mobility expenses, IT and other operating costs related to the research. 

Selection process

Applications should include (in one single pdf file):

Please submit your application file to Prof. Daniela Perrotti [email protected]  

Online interviews with short-listed candidates will be held at the end of August.

Application Deadline: 21st August 2022