Call for PhD position in our group.

Table of Contents

The Group for Logic in Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence, at the Institute for Philosophy II at Ruhr-University Bochum, Faculty for Philosophy and Educational Science, is offering a 4-year PhD position. We are interested in candidates (m/f/d) that intend to do research related to (some of) the following topics:

Human and artificial reasoners are confronted with a world full of uncertain and sometimes conflicting information. In order to deal with these complexities they reason defeasibly (or ’non-monotonically’) by jumping to plausible or likely conclusions, albeit ready to retract them in light of additional information. Moreover, their social environment comes with additional challenges, such as normative constraints rooted in moral and behavioral norms. Finally, when communicating, reasoners justify, explain and sometimes try to persuade others of their stances by exchanging reasons and arguments. Logicians try to offer a precise understanding of such reasoning processes to facilitate our understanding of human reasoning and cognition (both normatively and descriptively) and to obtain transparent and explainable tools in artificial intelligence.

We invite applications that fit (some of) the above themes. The selected candidate (m/f/d) will be supervised by Christian Straßer and enjoy a vibrant local research environment, including the Logic in Bochum group, the Center for Mind and Cognition, or the Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence group. The candidate is expected to actively contribute to seminars, workshops, reading groups, etc. A traveling budget covering expected costs will be provided. There are no teaching obligations, except for the organization of one of the exercise groups for the introductory lecture in logic (in English or German, 2h/week, exercise sheets are provided by the lecturer).

Job Requirements

You hold a Master’s degree or equivalent degree in Philosophy, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a discipline related to the listed research themes. Other Master’s degrees than Philosophy will be considered if you have a demonstrable experience with the tackling of analytical/conceptual problems.

You have an interest in (some of) the above listed research themes. Your research will be written and presented in English, so you need a very good command of English. Knowledge of German language is not required.

We welcome candidates (m/f/d) with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives and we especially encourage candidates (m/f/d) from underrepresented groups to apply. At the Ruhr University Bochum, we wish to promote careers of women in areas in which they are underrepresented, and we would therefore like to encourage female candidates to send us their applications. Applications by suitable candidates with severe disabilities and other applicants with equal legal status are likewise most welcome.

Conditions of Employment

  • A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences.
  • A four-year, 25,88 h/w funded PhD position (65% TV-L 12/13), starting between 1st August and 1st October 2021.
  • The salary is based on the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L) in the salary group E 13 of the TV-L.
  • In addition, the Ruhr-University offers extensive opportunities for further education, a very varied sports programme with its own fitness studio, its own art collection, and has day-care facilities and childcare on campus.

How to Apply

If you are interested, please send your application with the following documents (bundled in one PDF document):

  • [ ] a letter of motivation explaining your interest in the position and your qualifications for it
  • [ ] your curriculum vitae
  • [ ] a writing sample (Master thesis, seminar paper or equivalent)
  • [ ] names and contact information of two persons willing to provide references
  • optionally, you can submit a research statement (max 1-2 pages), elaborating on your ideas for a research focus in line with (some of) the above themes
  • Application type: Email, one PDF
  • Email to apply: jobs-log-phi-ai@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
  • Hard deadline (extended): 9th May, 2021, 23:59 CET.
  • Interviews will take place online.