PhD positions in Theory of Science and STS

Doctoral students in Theory of Science

The Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science at the University of Gothenburg announces four funded positions for doctoral students (third cycle). The application deadline is 22 March 2013. We are hereby inviting qualified applicants in the subject area of Theory of Science.

Theory of Science and Science and Technology Studies

Contemporary society is becoming increasingly dependent on science and technology. Theory of Science, which is part of the Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science (http://www.flov.gu.se/english/), is the study of science, research and its practices in society. Theory of Science applies a meta-theoretical and reflexive approach to the study of science and research. More exactly, the subject concerns research and knowledge production within the natural, medical and engineering sciences, as well as the humanities and social sciences. At the University of Gothenburg, we focus on research activities and knowledge production, and on how scientific knowledge and technological applications are received, used and affect the wider society – and vice versa. We often talk about studies of technoscience, because science and technology are so closely interwoven.

We tend to use analytical tools from Science & Technology Studies (STS) or approaches derived from the humanities. These encompass areas such as history and philosophy of science, as well as cultural and political studies of science, technology and medicine. One traditionally strong area in Theory of Science has been research policy studies, but we welcome all applicants from adjacent areas.

More information on current research can be found at http://www.flov.gu.se/english/ research/projects/. All proposals will be considered, as long as relevant and qualified supervision can be provided. For a historical outline of the development and orientation of Theory of Science at the University of Gothenburg, see http://www.flov.gu.se/english/about/history/.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree (first cycle) and at least one year of study at the Master’s level (second cycle). This is called general entry requirements.

Applicants must also fulfill the following specific entry requirements:

1. At least 30 higher education (HE) credits (second cycle), of which 15 HE credits must be an essay or independent project in Theory of Science, or equivalent knowledge, acquired through studies in relevant academic subjects, domestically or internationally.

2. Spoken and written command of Swedish or English adequate for third-cycle studies. The doctoral student is expected to acquire working knowledge of the Swedish language during his/her doctoral studies.

The formulation ‘equivalent knowledge, acquired through studies in relevant academic subjects’ is of central importance. This implies that it will be assessed whether each applicant has sufficient qualifications and knowledge to benefit from doctoral studies in Theory of Science without previous studies in Theory of Science. Applicants should have documented knowledge of the theoretical, analytical and methodological tools used in Theory of Science (see above), yet it is not important within which subject or at what universities this knowledge has been acquired.

Admission/application

For general guidelines for admission and application to the position as doctoral student in Theory of Science, please see http://www.hum.gu.se/english/education/doctoral-studies/.

Questions?

For information on the announcement of the doctoral positions at the Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of Science at the University of Gothenburg, see http://www.flov.gu.se/ english/education/doctoral-studies-third-cycle/admission-application/.

If you have general questions regarding the application and admission process, please contact Åsa Abelin (asa.abelin@ling.gu.se; + 46 31 786 5233). If you have specific questions regarding the position in Theory of Science, for instance regarding what counts as ‘equivalent knowledge’, please contact Lena Eriksson (lena.eriksson@gu.se; +46 31 786 4148) or Fredrik Bragesjö (fredrik.bragesjo@gu.se; +46 31 786 4938).

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RECENT PUBLICATIONS!
"Affording terrorism" in Taylor & Currie, ed. Terrorism and Affordance
"Buckets, bollards and bombs: towards subject histories of technologies and terrors" (pdf) in: History and Technology
"Det nya gränsöverskridande våldet" (pdf) in: Svensson & Wallette, ed. Individer i rörelse
"Science and the '9/11-effect'" (web) in: Science Progress
"Naturvetare i kriget mot terrorismen" (web) in: Tvärsnitt

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Dr Mats Fridlund FD, Civing

Senior Lecturer / Universitetslektor
Utbildningssamordnare Vetenskapsteori

Dept of Philosophy, Linguistics & Theory of Science
University of Gothenburg
Box 200, Olof Wijksgatan 6, Room T328
SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden

ph: +46 (0)31 786 5803  

mail: mats.fridlund@gu.se
web: gu-se.academia.edu/MatsFridlund