About the opportunity
The Chair of Philosophy of Language and Cognition at Ruhr University Bochum invites applications for a fixed-term, part-time (65%) employed PhD position. The successful candidate will work within the Collaborative Research Center ‘Episodic Memory’ (CRC 1844) on research project A05, investigating minimal memory traces, engrams, and reference relations. The role is part of an interdisciplinary consortium spanning philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience, utilizing cutting-edge facilities at the THINK research building. The position is salaried under TV-L E 13 and is conditional on final third-party DFG funding approval.
Salary and benefits
- Salaried position based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L E 13, subject to requirements)
- No teaching obligation if funded by third-party funds
- Collaboration in an internationally renowned interdisciplinary team of philosophers, psychologists, and neuroscientists
- Access to cutting-edge research environments and facilities at the THINK research building
- Support in combining family life and work, including childcare arrangements, holiday offers, and a mobile playroom
- Free language courses offered by the University Language Center
Who can apply?
- Hold an MA or MSc in Cognitive Science, Philosophy, Psychology, or Computational/Cognitive Neuroscience
- Demonstrate very good scientific and philosophical writing skills
- Competence in at least one of the campus languages (German or English) and willingness to learn the other
Required documents
- Curriculum Vitae including a list of publications
- Letter of Interest (maximum 1 page)
- A writing sample reflecting the applicant's approach and methods
- Contact information for 2 references
When to apply
- Application deadline is 2026-10-19
- Position start date is 01.01.2027
How to apply
- Prepare your application documents including CV, letter of interest, writing sample, and reference contacts
- Submit your application through the Ruhr University Bochum online application portal
- Ensure you mention reference number ANR 6191 in your application
Additional information
- The position duration is fixed-term until 31.12.2030.
- The position scope is part-time at 65% (25.8895 hours per week).
- The advertised position is conditional on a final positive funding decision by the DFG Senate in late November.
- Travel, accommodation, and application costs for job interviews cannot be reimbursed.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- An ideal match for master's graduates in philosophy, cognitive science, psychology, or neuroscience seeking a structured, funded PhD journey within a major European research consortium.
- Suits researchers interested in interdisciplinary approaches combining theoretical philosophy of mind with empirical insights from neuroimaging and computational modeling.
- Provides an excellent stepping stone for an academic career with institutional backing, publication opportunities, and no mandatory teaching load.
What should you think carefully about?
- The role is part-time at 65%, which means compensation and working hours are proportional rather than full-time.
- Employment is fixed-term until December 2030, requiring careful post-doc planning as the end date approaches.
- The position is contingent on a final DFG funding decision in late November, introducing a small procedural dependency despite the official start date.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This position directly supports doctoral researchers aiming to establish a strong academic profile at the intersection of philosophy of mind and cognitive science. It offers protected research time, interdisciplinary mentorship, and collaborative publishing opportunities within a prominent European research university.
Our take
Strongly recommended for ambitious graduates in cognitive science or philosophy of mind eager to engage in high-level empirical and theoretical research. Candidates who require full-time employment or who prefer teaching-heavy tracks should note the part-time and research-focused nature of the role.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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