Call for applications: PhD Student in logic and/or the philosophy of mathematics

Nancy, France

We are soliciting applications for a 3 year PhD scholarship (contrat doctoral) in logic and/or the philosophy of mathematics to work on the FaTiLLaM project (Formalization as Translation in Logic, Language, and Mathematics) at the Archives Poincaré at the University of Lorraine (UL), France and the Center for the Advancement of Logic, its Philosophy, History, and Applications (C-ALPHA) at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), USA. The student will be co-supervised by Andrew Arana (UL) and Kai Wehmeier (UCI).

The FaTiLLaM project

FaTiLLaM (Formalization as Translation in Logic, Language, and Mathematics) is a five-year joint research project funded by the CNRS, the Université de Lorraine, and the University of California, Irvine, and jointly carried out by the Archives Henri-Poincaré at UL and the Center for the Advancement of Logic, its Philosophy, History, and Applications (C-ALPHA) at UCI. It consists of two principal axes: (1) the history of formalization from Thomas Aquinas to Richard Montague, and (2) the systematic investigation of methods of formalization as it occurs in the comparison of interpreted formal languages, logics, and mathematical theories, and bears on symbolic and neurosymbolic approaches to artificial intelligence.

PhD Topic

The PhD student will be working under the joint supervision of Prof. Andrew Arana (UL) and Prof. Kai Wehmeier (UCI) on a topic fitting into either of the two principal axes described above. The topic is otherwise open. Candidates must possess a master’s degree in philosophy, mathematics, theoretical linguistics, theoretical computer science, or a related area. We are especially interested in persons with substantial backgrounds in one or more of the following areas: mathematical logic, philosophical logic, history of logic, formal semantics (e.g. Montague Grammar), symbolic and/or connectionist artificial intelligence.

Starting date and salary:

The starting date of the position is flexible: between September 2026 and January 2027. Gross remuneration will be about 2100 € per month.

Research environment:

Though the PhD will be co-supervised between the Archives Poincaré and C-ALPHA, the student will be based at the Archives Poincaré, in Nancy, France. The Archives Poincaré are one of the world’s leading centers for the history and philosophy of science. It takes its name from being the home of Henri Poincaré’s archives, including his vast correspondence. The presence of this archive, as well as numerous other archives (notably that of the mathematical collective Bourbaki), anchors the research carried out at the AHP, indicating the importance of historical studies in the general orientation of researchers housed here. The work done at the AHP extends beyond archival studies. The AHP is, for instance, the research wing of the department of philosophy at the Université de Lorraine. It also houses researchers who teach in mathematics, engineering, and economics departments at the Universités of Lorraine and Strasbourg.

The student will, however, make a yearly visit to UC Irvine, and there will be a yearly visit of researchers from UC Irvine to Nancy (including one month per year by Prof. Wehmeier).

There are no teaching requirements in this position. However, regular participation in collective scientific activities (e.g., seminars) will be expected. At the Archives Poincaré, the PhD student will benefit from all ordinary facilities (work space, access to library and electronic resources, and to all research activities).

Application details:

Prospective applicants should send:

• A curriculum vitae including publications
• a brief statement of research interests including a description of the research project to be undertaken during the contract (up to 5 pages)

Application deadline:24 May 2026

For additional information, please contact Andrew Arana (andrew.arana@univ-lorraine.fr) and Kai Wehmeier (wehmeier@uci.edu).