PhD Studentship in Metaphysics (EXPIRED)

Applications are invited for a position emerging from The Academy of Finland funded 4-year project, ‘The Epistemology of Metaphysics: From Rationalism to Nominalism’, based at the University of Helsinki, Finland. The position is a 3-year funded PhD Studentship. The starting date of the position is 1st September 2015. The working language of the research group is English.

The project is led by Dr. Tuomas E. Tahko and also involves another Postdoc (Dr. Markku Keinänen). A further Postdoc is hired with a separate ad. The project is divided into three Research Clusters, (RCs):

RC 1 Modal Epistemology
RC 2 Metaphysics and Science
RC 3 Grounding and Fundamentality

PhD Studentship

The PhD student is expected to work primarily on RC 1. A likely candidate will have strong research interests in modal epistemology, although broader themes concerning the epistemology of metaphysics (e.g., intuitions, a priori knowledge, thought experiments) or issues at the intersection of the RCs (especially issues concerning natural kinds) are also viable. Given the modular nature of the project, there is some flexibility in the precise research area. The PhD student will be supervised by Dr. Tahko, with possible assistance from the project’s Postdocs. There is a possibility for teaching, but this is not a requirement. The position is for the period from 1 September 2015 to 31 August 2018, and is not renewable. The PhD student is expected to submit the PhD thesis by the end of the position, or shortly after. Salary is expected to be at level 2/5, currently 28 786 Euros gross p.a., with yearly increments possible. The salary is expected to raise to level 3/5 for the last eight months, currently 31 641 Euros gross p.a. In addition, funds are available for research expenses, including extended visits abroad. There are no tuition fees.

The chosen candidate is also required to apply to the doctoral programme of Philosophy, Art and Society at the Faculty of Arts in March-April 2015. A requirement for eligibility is a Finnish Master’s degree or a relevant degree roughly comparable to the Finnish Master’s degree. All the studies required for the degree have to be completed before the end of the application period, and the candidate has to be able to submit the degree certificate (official copy) before receiving the study place (a month after the decision, decisions for the doctoral programme will be made in the beginning of June). This application process is coordinated by the Faculty of Arts and is separate from the Studentship. The chosen candidate will receive assistance for this process, but it is advised that candidates check their eligibility beforehand:
http://www.helsinki.fi/hum/english/postgraduate/apply.htm