Postdoc in the field of Philosophy

Skilled and committed employees are a crucial factor in the success of Linköping University. And we need more of them. Our core expertise comes from teachers and researchers, but a successful university requires experienced and motivated employees in many fields. Everyone is important. We need to recruit many new employees thanks to, among all, an expansion in our research activity. We need you here. We look forward to receiving your application!

The Department of Culture and Society is devoted to education and research within the humanities, arts and social sciences. Our work is often pursued in inter- and multidisciplinary environments where language, culture and society are in focus. As a department we aspire to strengthen the position of the humanities and social sciences in society, and we view collaboration between education, research and the world around us as a prerequisite for success. The department is based in both Linköping and Norrköping.

We are now looking to appoint a postdoc in the field of Philosophy.

Work assignments
We are looking for candidates specializing in epistemology and/or philosophy of mathematics. The candidate will work in collaboration with Dr. Silvia De Toffoli on her project entitled “Humanizing Mathematical Knowledge: Fallibility, Technology, and Know How” funded by a Wallenberg Academy Fellowship and based at Linköping University. The candidate should strengthen the epistemological components of the project.

As a postdoc, you will principally carry out research. However, you will also be expected to help with the organization of seminars and other scientific events as well as with grant writing. You will be formally based at the Department of Culture and Society (IKOS). A certain amount of teaching may be part of your duties, up to a maximum of 20% of working hours.  You will be expected to carry out most of your research in Linköping. This includes regular participation in the research group’s activities and programs (seminars, workshops, conferences, etc.).

Your research should focus either on general themes in epistemology that can be relevant to the study of mathematics or on the philosophy of mathematical practice. Examples of relevant epistemological themes are the epistemology of disagreement, issues relating to higher-order evidence, the a priori, the nature of knowledge-how, and topics in social epistemology. Examples of topics in the philosophy of mathematical practice are diagrammatic reasoning, mathematical rigor, the social dimension of mathematics, and the mechanization of mathematics.

Brief description of the project “Humanizing Mathematical Knowledge”: This project's main goal is to provide a multifaced theory of mathematical knowledge and justification that makes sense of how mathematical knowledge is produced and shared among human agents. Specific research objectives include:

1) Develop a fallibilist theory of mathematical justification that satisfies social constraints;

2) Explore the interdependence between knowledge-that and knowledge-how in mathematics and beyond;

3) Investigate the social dimension of mathematical knowledge;

4) Investigate the different roles that computers play in mathematical research.

This project aims at fostering a systematic interaction between (analytic) epistemology and the philosophy of mathematical practice. On the one hand, philosophy of mathematical practice would be enriched by considering epistemological debates (such as on fallibilism or the epistemic significance of higher-order evidence) and, on the other hand, epistemology could test new ideas in the domain of mathematics, a privileged domain to observe human cognition at work.

The workplace
You will be employed in the Department of Culture and Society in the Division of Philosophy and Applied Ethics.

The Division of Philosophy and Applied Ethics at LiU covers all main branches of philosophy, from logic and epistemology over philosophy of science, history of philosophy, moral philosophy, aesthetics to metaphysics and applied ethics. Our work in research as well as in teaching is characterized by an interdisciplinary focus and an interest in philosophical questions pertaining to the role of science in society.

Qualifications
To be qualified to take employment as postdoc, you must have been awarded a doctoral degree or have a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree.  This degree must have been awarded at the latest by the point at which LiU makes its decision to employ you.

It is considered advantageous if your doctoral degree is no older than three years at application deadline for this job. If there are special reasons for having an older doctoral degree – such as taking statutory leave – then these may be taken into consideration.

It is a requirement for this position that the candidate has documented academic skills in epistemology and/or philosophy of mathematics.

It is also a requirement that the applicant has documented expertise in written English. The applicant must have excellent proficiency in spoken English as well. 

Additional merits include international experience, scholarly skills demonstrated through the applicant’s peer-reviewed publications in journals and edited collections as well as successful grant applications, strong interpersonal skills (e.g., ability to collaborate within the team and to actively participate in research activities) as well as the ability to plan, organize and disseminate research.

About this job
This post is a temporary contract of two years with the possibility of extension up to a total maximum of three years.

The position as a postdoc is full-time.

Starting date
By agreement, but preferably around November, 2022.

Salary
Salaries at the university are set individually. State your desired salary in the application. More information about employee benefits is available here .

Trade union representatives
Information about trade union contacts can be found here .

Application procedure
Apply for this position by clicking on the button labelled “Apply” below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than September 15, 2022.

In addition to a covering letter and CV, you should upload as part of your application:

• A brief description (about 1000 words) of your planned individual research, indicating how it will link with, and contribute to, the project’s agenda.
• A sample of your recent written work.
• Contact information for two academics to submit references in support of your application.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. 

In case of discrepancies between the Swedish and the English version of the advertisement, the Swedish version shall take precedence

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody's equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: Equal opportunities .

We look forward to receiving your application!

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URL to this page
https://liu.se/en/work-at-liu/vacancies?rmpage=job&rmjob=19617&rmlang=UK