"PhD position in the history of 18th-century German philosophy: Responses to Newton’s Mathematical-Experimental Paradigm in 18th-Century Philosophy"

PhD position in the history of 18th-century German philosophy: RESPONSES TO NEWTON’S MATHEMATICAL-EXPERIMENTAL PARADIGM IN 18TH-CENTURY PHILOSOPHY

_(ref. BAP-2025-505)_ _Laatst aangepast: 05/08/25_

We currently invite applications for a four-year PhD position (funded for two years). The successful candidate will carry out research in the context of the project ‘Responses to Newton’s Mathematical-Experimental Paradigm in 18th-Century Philosophy’ (RENEW18). The project is funded by the Belgian research councils FWO and F.R.S.-FNRS (EOS) and led by Karin de Boer (KU Leuven), Steffen Ducheyne (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), and Arnaud Pelletier (Université libre de Bruxelles).

Candidates are invited to propose their own project, preferably focused on the period between Wolff and Kant. However, other proposals on developments and/or debates in eighteenth- and early-nineteenth German philosophy related to the impact of Newton’s mathematical-experimental paradigm will be taken into consideration as well. The project will be supervised by Karin de Boer (KU Leuven). More information on the project can be found here:

Website van de eenheid

Project

In addition to conducting independent research, the selected applicant is expected to participate in the organization of common activities such as team meetings, talks, workshops, and conferences as well as to take up a modest teaching load. The working language is English.

Profile

• MA degree in philosophy at the starting date of the contract
• Good knowledge of the history of modern philosophy 
• Good hermeneutical and analytical skills
• Very good command of written and spoken English 
• Reading knowledge of German
• Knowledge of the history and philosophy of science is a plus

Offer

The successful candidate will be employed at KU Leuven under the standard conditions. They will be offered a two-year contract. The fellowship provides for training opportunities, social and health benefits, office space, and a research budget. The supervisor is committed to support the candidate in obtaining additional funding (PhD students in Belgium are expected to complete their theses in 4 years).

Interested?

Please submit your application by using this application tool. The application should include

• A short cover letter;
• CV (including a publication list, if applicable, and the names and contact details of two referees);
• Academic transcript of your MA degree(s);
• A writing sample (15-25 pages);
• A research statement (1-2 pages) that (a) explains how your past studies bear on the project as a whole and (b) sketches your research proposal.

Preferred starting date: November 1, 2025

For further information, please contact Karin de Boer (karin.deboer@kuleuven.be)

You can apply for this job no later than September 15, 2025 via the online application tool

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