Applications are invited on a PhD project in philosophy of biology “Function and fitness – conceptual issues” (of two philosophical projects in a consortium that also includes biologists and bio-mathematicians), which is focus is on conceptual and epistemological issues. The position is available for three years at the Zentrum für Wissenschaftstheorie (ZfW) at the University of Muenster in Germany, which is cooperating in many respects with the Department of Philosophy.
The consortium forms the collaborative research centre (SFB/TRR 212), entitled “A Novel Synthesis of Individualisation across Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution: Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction (NC3)”, as granted by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The present project contributes to the overarching goal of “NC3” by explicating or reshaping the concepts of function and of fitness in a way that matches the constraints of the novel conceptual framework. It investigates the explanatory roles of the concepts of function and of fitness in theories of niche choice, niche conformance, and niche construction.
Job requirements are: master’s or equivalent degree in Philosophy of Science or related fields with good grade; willingness to interact with colleagues in a multi- and interdisciplinary setting; good proficiency in written and spoken English.
The application deadline is January 15, 2018.
For further information, check the full job posting.