PhD Fellowships in Mathematical Philosophy

Four doctoral fellowships are being advertised at the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy (MCMP). The MCMP, which is devoted to applications of logical and mathematical methods in philosophy, has recently been established at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU) based on generous support by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Directed by Professor Hannes Leitgeb, the Center hosts a vibrant research community of university faculty, postdoctoral fellows, doctoral fellows, and visiting fellows. From the beginning of May 2011, the Center will organize its own weekly Colloquium in Mathematical Philosophy seminar series, as well as various other activities such as workshops, conferences, reading groups, internal work-in-progress seminars, and the like. The successful candidate will partake in all of the Center’s academic activities and enjoy its administrative facilities and financial support. More information on the Center can be found at

http://www.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de/lehreinheiten/logik_sprachphil/mcmp/index.html,

and at

http://www.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de/lehreinheiten/logik_sprachphil/personen/index.html

one can find a list of people who are currently affiliated with the Center. Over and above the Center, the Faculty of Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and the Study of Religion at LMU offers a wealth of expertise in all areas of philosophy.

The successful applicants, who will become PhD students at the LMU, are supposed to use logical and mathematical methods in their philosophical work, and/or to reflect on these methods philosophically. PhD projects can, of course, be carried out in logic or philosophy of mathematics, but they are not restricted to these fields — for instance, work in epistemology, philosophy of science, philosophy of language, metaphysics, moral philosophy, and so forth are equally encouraged, as long as formal methods play a significant role in the corresponding research projects.

In general, applicants should be in possession of the skills that would normally be gained by achieving an MA or equivalent in Philosophy or Logic. The doctoral stipends are for three years, they are intended to cover the period of dissertation research and writing, and they should be taken up by September 2011. Each stipend will amount to EUR 1500 of monthly salary (normally tax-free, but excluding insurance). Dissertations may be written in English or German. The official language at the Center is English, and the successful candidates need not be able to speak German.

Applications are due by March 20th, 2011, and should include:

1. A cover letter that addresses, amongst others, one’s academic background and research interests.
2. A curriculum vitae.
3. A proposal for a dissertation project (3 pages).
4. A sample of written work (e.g., a seminar paper or a published article).
5. Academic transcripts from university study.
6. Two confidential letters of reference addressing the applicant’s qualifications for doctoral research. These should be sent from the referees directly.

We especially encourage female students to apply. The Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich endeavours to raise the percentage of women among its academic personnel.

Applications, letters of reference, as well as any questions ought to be directed to

Barbara Poehlmann
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen
Fakultaet fuer Philosophie, Wissenschaftstheorie
und Religionswissenschaft
Lehrstuhl fuer Logik und Sprachphilosophie / MCMP
Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1
D-80539 Muenchen
Germany

E-mail: Office.Leitgeb@lrz.uni-muenchen.de

If possible at all, we prefer to receive applications and letters of reference by e-mail (sent to Office.Leitgeb@lrz.uni-muenchen.de).