Netherlands - Vrije University Amsterdam PhD Position in History and Philosophy of Logic, Semantics and Axiomatics
November 18th, 2008
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PhD position in History and Philosophy of Logic, Semantics and Axiomatics f/m
For 1,0 fte
Vacancy number 1.2008.00340
The Faculty of Philosophy, VU University Amsterdam, has a vacancy for a PhD position in the research project Tarski’s Revolution: A New History – Semantics and Axiomatics from Bolzano to Tarski against the background of the Classical Model of Science (TRANH). The project is funded by a Starting Grant of the European Research Council (ERC) and led by Dr. Arianna Betti (Principal Investigator).
Research Project
Tarski’s work represents a crucial turn in the history of semantics and related fields. This research project aims to establish that the turn at issue must be interpreted in connection with the development of axiomatics from Bolzano to the Lvov-Warsaw School. In particular, the project proposes to interpret Tarski’s turn on the basis of a new framework, the Classical Model of Science, which systematises a general axiomatic ideal of scientific knowledge. The ideal goes back to Aristotle’s Analytica Posteriora and has been highly influential for more than two millennia.
More specifically, the project aims at answering the following research questions
I. in what sense is Bolzano a follower of the Classical Model of Science in his conception of science in general and of semantics in particular?;
II. what is the influence of Frege in the light of the Classical Model of Science upon the Lvov-Warsaw School, and in particular on Tarski’s teacher, Le?niewski?;
III. what is the relationship between Tarski’s work in semantics and the Classical Model of Science?
IV. in what way, and to what extent, can the Classical Model of Science be used in accounting for the development of semantics from Bolzano to Tarski?.
Research questions i.-iv. will be tackled by three sub-projects
Project I: Semantics and Axiomatics in Bolzano against the background of the Classical Model of Science (research question i.);
Project II: Semantics and Axiomatics in Tarski against the background of the Classical Model of Science (research question iii.);
Project III: Semantics and Axiomatics from Bolzano to Tarski against the background of the Classical Model of Science (research question ii. and iv.).
The research will be carried out on the basis of original sources by a team formed by Arianna Betti (Project III; team leader), a Postdoc researcher to be appointed in September 2009 (Project II) and a PhD student (Project I). The project is embedded in the Research Programme Ontology, Epistemology, and Philosophy of Science and Technology.
Tasks
The PhD student is expected to:
- carry out Research Project I;
- take part in the activities of the research team, including (co-)organizing and participating in international meetings, joint editorial projects and grant applications;
- take on a small amount of teaching as part of the PhD training (?10%);
- present papers at international meetings, submit articles to international peer-reviewed top scientific media and write a dissertation in English.
Requirements
The candidate must have a two-year master’s degree or equivalent (e.g. a one-year master’s degree and academic training and skills demonstrably comparable to a two-year master’s degree) in Philosophy, knowledge of German, a background in logic and its history, have demonstrated aptitude for combining theoretical and historical research and have good ICT skills. The candidate must also be highly motivated, ready and able to work in a team and possess excellent social and communicative skills. Having worked previously on Bolzano’s thought, a history-of-ideas-approach or a background in mathematics are advantages, but not pre-requisites. Candidates who are about to receive their MA degree are also welcome to apply. As part of an equal opportunity scheme, women are particularly encouraged to apply for this position.
Further Particulars
The appointment will be available initially for 12 months and following positive evaluation will be extended with 36 months based on a fulltime employment. We aim to start the PhD position in March 2009. The appointment must result in a dissertation at the end of year 4.
Salary
The salary is € 2.042,- gross per month in the first year to € 2.612,- in the fourth year based on a full-time employment. You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment (child care, savings schemes, excellent sports facilities, participation in the VU University pension fund and a holiday allowance of 8% and an end year allowance of 4,9% of the yearly salary) at www.vu.nl/vacatures (in Dutch; English version available on request).
Additional information
Further information can be obtained from
- Drs. Pam Rossel, Faculty of Philosophy (phone: +31 20 59 86644, e-mail: p.rossel@ph.vu.nl) or from
- Dr. Arianna Betti, Faculty of Philosophy (phone: +31 20 59 86681, e-mail: ariannabetti@gmail.com).
Please visit the website of the project at www.surfgroepen.nl/sites/cmsone/TRANH/index.html
Application
Written applications should include:
- a curriculum vitae;
- names of two academic references;
- list of courses followed and a copy of the MA diploma;
- translations of these documents in English where appropriate (a certified translation might be requested at a later stage in the procedure);
- a copy of the MA thesis (or, should the latter not be available yet, a writing sample);
- an extended letter of motivation explaining why the candidates consider themselves qualified for conducting this research (max. 1500 words); or a short letter of motivation accompanied by a separate research proposal containing a first attempt to specify in more detail how they intend to carry out Project I (research topic, objectives and approach, max. 1500 words, not including bibliographic references).
Please mention the vacancy number in the e-mail header or at the top of your letter and on the envelope. Send your application before December 8, 2008 to:
the VU University Amsterdam
Faculty of Philosophy
attn. Mrs. M.G.H.M. Dijcker
Director of Operations
De Boelelaan 1105
1081 HV Amsterdam
The Netherlands
It is also possible to apply by email to: secretaresse@ph.vu.nl by sending all documents in pdf-format.
When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number 1.2008.00340.
Any other correspondence in response to this advertisement will not be dealt with.
Tags: beasiswa luar negri, doctoral, graduate, history, job, netherlands, phd, philosophy, postgraduate, scholarship, vrije universiteitEntry Filed under: Netherlands
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