2 PhD Studentships in HPS
European Research Council (ERC) PhD Studentships – “A Science of Human
Nature? Philosophical Disputes at the Interface of Natural and Social
Science”
Fully funded ERC studentships 2012-15
The Department of History and Philosophy of Science (HPS), University
of Cambridge, invites preliminary applications for two ERC
Postgraduate Research Studentships to support three years of doctoral
research at the University of Cambridge to start in October 2012. The
project is funded by the European Research Council.
The doctoral research will form an integral part of a new ERC-funded
project entitled “A Science of Human Nature? Philosophical Disputes at
the Interface of Natural and Social Science ” (ERC Grant agreement no
284123). This project is directed by Dr Tim Lewens. It also employs an
administrator/research assistant, and two postdoctoral researchers,
all based in Cambridge.
Project Description
Recent years have seen renewed attempts on the part of natural
scientists to invigorate and inform the social sciences. Two prominent
examples include the efforts of cultural evolutionary theorists to
account for cultural change and cultural stasis, and the efforts of
evolutionary psychologists to provide a scientific account of human
nature. The two trends are sometimes seen as mutually complementary,
sometimes as
antagonistic: cultural evolutionary theory needs to be informed by
research on human psychology, and some argue that evolutionary
psychology can provide this. In both cases, these efforts have met
considerable resistance from the social sciences, especially from
social anthropology. This large project seeks to uncover the
philosophical foundations of these disputes, to offer a resolution of
them, and ultimately to point the way towards a reconciliation of the two domains.
Research studentships
The doctoral studentships will focus on a range of reasonably
self-contained philosophical issues that arise within cultural
evolutionary theory. Applicants are invited to propose feasible
projects, and to demonstrate their qualification to undertake them. By
way of guidelines, suitable topics might include the adequacy of
cultural evolution’s informational conception of culture, or the
proper way of understanding cultural reproduction.
Further details of the project, including fleshed-out examples of
suitable doctoral projects, can be found in this document, which
contains relevant excerpts from the original ERC proposal.
The successful candidates will be supervised by Tim Lewens, in the
Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of
Cambridge. In addition to pursuing their own doctoral research, the
holders of the award will form part of the six-person research team
and join in a range of activities to promote research on the theme of
the project as a whole.
Candidates must normally have obtained at least a first class honours
degree (or equivalent) from a recognised institution of higher
education before 31 July 2011. Applicants should also normally have,
or be studying for, a master’s degree or similar postgraduate
qualification in an area related to the history and philosophy of
science. If the candidate does not have such experience of formal
graduate study, they must demonstrate evidence of sustained experience
beyond undergraduate degree level specifically relevant to the
research topic that could be considered equivalent to master’s study.
The studentship pays £21,146 in the first year with increments in
years two and three. Academic and residency eligibility for a full
studentship award are strictly subject to the conditions imposed by the University of Cambridge.
Application Procedure
Interested candidates should begin by contacting Tim Lewens
They should then send a preliminary application to David Thompson
the
following:
A full CV, including details of academic training and results A
statement of proposed research, of not more than 1000 words Two
samples of recent work in a relevant field Two letters of reference,
to be sent directly to Mr Thompson Shortlisted candidates will then be
interviewed by Dr Lewens. The successful candidate will then be
required to submit a separate formal application for admission to the
University of Cambridge. Further information can be found on
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Tamara Hug
Department of History and Philosophy of Science University of
Cambridge Free School Lane Cambridge CB2 3RH
Tel: 01223 334540/Fax: 334554
Mob: 07799405394
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