STEP - Science and Technology in the European Periphery

The Descartes Centre (Utrecht University) is offering a position for a PhD researcher in the History and Philosophy of the Sciences and the Humanities (1,0 fte)

Job description

Writing a dissertation in English within four years;
Submitting research results for publication in international peer-reviewed academic journals (either individually or co-authored);
Presenting papers at conferences and workshops;
Co-organizing conferences and workshops;
(Co) teaching (undergraduate) courses in the third and fourth year of appointment.

Requirements

Research MA degree in in a relevant field (the applicant has recently graduated or will graduate in the summer of 2013).
Fluency in English;
Excellent results in the Master phase;
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
A convincing preliminary proposal for a PhD-research project;
A motivated choice for a supervisor.

Conditions of employment

The position of Ph.D. student is full-time for maximally four years. Initially the employee will be contracted for one year or 1,5 year dependent on the Faculty that will hire you. An extension to a maximum of 4 years is possible after positive evaluation of capabilities and compatibility. A 0.8 fte contract is also possible. Starting date: 1 September 2013. Remuneration for a full working week will be € 2.062,- gross per calendar month in the first year, increasing to a maximum of € 2.638,- gross per calendar month in the fourth year and is in accordance with the current pay scales as indicated in the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO) of Dutch Universities. An appointment with Utrecht University includes a pension build-up and facilitates other benefits such as an annual holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

Organisation

The PhD project is embedded in the Descartes Centre, an interdisciplinary collaboration supported and financed by all faculties at Utrecht University. The Centre coordinates the research in the field of history and philosophy of the sciences and humanities at Utrecht University, organizes symposia, congresses, and seminars, and offers a MSc program and fellowships. The PhD candidate needs to choose his or her supervisor from the members of the Centre: http://www.descartescentre.com

Additional information

For more information please contact: prof.dr. W. Mijnhardt (w.w.mijnhardt@uu.nl ) or prof.dr. B. Theunissen (l.t.g.theunissen@uu.nl).

How to apply

If you are interested, we invite you to apply before June 10 via this link.

The application package should include:

A cover letter stating your address, your motivation, and the envisaged supervisor and the faculty where you want to be located.
A CV (give an overview of your educational and professional experiences. Mention, when applicable, various studies, prizes, travel grants, publications, relevant academic activities such as internships, international activities, committees, etc. List the date of your graduation. If you did not graduate yet, make sure to state the expected date of graduation.
A 1000 word research proposal, that includes a preliminary research question; the sources you intend to use; the academic debate or subfield in which your proposal can be positioned; brief mention of theoretical concepts or models that will be used.
A copy of your BA and MA certificates and list of grades.
A letter of your supervisor expressing his/her willingness to supervise this project.

Please note that only complete packages, including CV and 1000 word research proposal, will be taken into account.

Around June 20, the Descartes Centre will invite selected candidates to write an extended proposal. The deadline for this extended proposal will be July 20, 2013.

Starting date

September 1st, 2013.

Deadline for application

June 9, 2013