PhD-Researcher

PhD-Researcher

The Institute of Philosophy II at Ruhr University Bochum is seeking to fill a doctoral position under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Albert Newen, Philosophy of Mind. The position is intended for the completion of a dissertation with a topic in the research area \"Ethics and Metaethics for Science and the Role of AI in Science and Society\".

Your tasks:

• Research Area: The proposed PhD project should fall within the broadly construed field of ethics and metaethics of sciences with a focus on AI or computer science. Projects situated at the intersection of theoretical philosophy and AI ethics may be particularly well-suited to this position. Suitable research topics include, but are not limited to:
  • Ethical and meta-ethical principles of science and the role of AI in science
  • AI agency
  • AI consciousness and moral standing
  • Catastrophic or existential risks from AI in science and society
  • AI deception
  • Emotion in AI
• Prospective candidates are especially encouraged to consider topics that align with the research interests of Albert Newen and Leonard Dung. See their webpages or google scholar pages: https://www.pe.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/philosophie/ii/newen/newen/index.html.en
  https://scholar.google.de/citations?user=fSODGPoAAAAJ&hl=de&oi=ao
• The position is intended for the completion of a dissertation with a topic in the following research area \"Ethics and Metaethics for Science and the Role of AI in Science and Society\".
• As the position is funded exclusively by external third-party funding sources, employees are formally not required to take on teaching responsibilities. There will be an opportunity to teach one course during the period.

Your profile:

• Candidates need to possess an outstanding master’s degree in philosophy, cognitive science, or theoretical chemistry.
• Candidates who have an outstanding degree in philosophy need to have some additional proven competence in philosophy of science or an area of cognitive science.
• Candidates who have an outstanding degree in computer science or theoretical chemistry need to have sufficient familiarity with philosophical methods. As a standard of orientation: these candidates should have proven evidence of courses with at least 20 credit points (or equivalent proven studies) in philosophy or theoretical cognitive science.

We offer:

Challenging and varied tasks with a high level of independence, Employment at one of the largest universities in Germany within the University Alliance Ruhr, Options for flexible working (mobile working and teleworking), Collaboration in a committed and appreciative team.

Further information:

The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade TVL E-13 TV-L.

Further information can be found at https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/ (in German).

Your application should contain two PDF files: first PDF file should contain your personal documents: a short letter of motivation, CV, copies of certificates and records, description (max. 1 page plus references) in English language on a potential dissertation in the research area \"Ethics and Metaethics for Science and the use of AI in science and society\" - second PDF file should contain exemplary reading material of your writing: if possible, important publication; if not possible, the key chapter of your Master’s or Diploma thesis. The interviews will be held online in late November-early December 2025. RUB sees itself as a university with an international presence. The campus languages are German and English. Competence in at least one of the two languages and the willingness to learn the other are a prerequisite.

The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the request of a candidate (m/f/x), it will ensure its participation in the entire procedure. Please contact wpr@rub.de.

Contact persons for further information:

Tetiana Adler Tel.: +49 234 32 28339
Valerie Zarges Tel.: +49 234 32 28139

Application deadline:

We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by 2025-11-19. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5063.

Diversity and equal opportunities:

The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.