"Doctoral position, M/F, Philosophy of Science, Nancy, France. Explanatory progress and degrees of understanding"

Offer Description

The PhD will be completed at the Archives Poincaré (Université de Lorraine). A doctoral co-supervision with the IHPST and Université Paris 1 will be organized so that the doctoral student may benefit from both research environments.

The doctoral student will work in the context of the research project GRASP (see below).

Archives Poincaré (Université de Lorraine, CNRS, Nancy-Strasbourg, France): Research institute UMR 7117. Website.

IHPST (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, CNRS, Paris, France): Joint research unit in philosophy of science.

Research project GRASP: “Gradability across Science and Epistemic Practices”, funded by ANR 2025-2029 (PI: Cyrille Imbert). ANR PDF.

Topic: Explanatory progress and degrees of understanding in mathematical / mathematized science. Keywords: Scientific Explanation, Understanding, Knowledge, Gradability, Progress, Applied Mathematics, Physics.

Supervision: Cyrille Imbert (Archives Poincaré, CNRS, Université de Lorraine) and Vincent Ardourel (IHPST, CNRS, Paris 1).

Starting date: September 1, 2026 (flexible).

Institutional affiliation: Archives Poincaré (Université de Lorraine), co-supervision IHPST/Paris 1.

Duration: 3 years. Wages: 2300€ gross/month (~1920€ net). No teaching duties (optional up to 64h/year).

Requirements: MA in Philosophy (philosophy of science/epistemology). Skills: Teamwork, philosophical writing, English B2+ (French beneficial).

Contact: Cyrille Imbert, Vincent Ardourel.

How to apply: CV, cover letter, transcripts, 1-2 recommendation letters, English proficiency, 2 writing samples, research proposal (2000-2500 words). Via CNRS portal. Deadline: April 10, 2026. Interviews: early May.

Requirements

Research Field: Philosophy. Education Level: Master Degree. Languages: FRENCH (Basic).

Work Location

Archives Henri Poincaré, Nancy, France. 1 position.