About the opportunity
The Collaborative Research Center “Episodic Memory” (CRC 1844) is an interdisciplinary consortium at Ruhr-Universität Bochum involving researchers from philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience. The project A17, “The language of scenarios,” investigates the mental simulation of past episodes. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will study the similarities and differences between remembering and imagining, and between memory and imagination reports. Your work will involve preparing and conducting experimental studies on linguistic markers for memory and analyzing the philosophical implications of these results. This position is fixed-term until December 31, 2030, and is conditional on a final funding decision by the DFG Senate in late November 2026.
Salary and benefits
- Salaried position based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L), typically pay grade E13
- Collaboration within a leading interdisciplinary research consortium
- Opportunities for professional development and training
- Funding for participation in international conferences and workshops
- Support for work-life balance, including childcare arrangements and mobile playrooms
- Access to free language courses for employees
Who can apply?
- PhD in philosophy or linguistics
- Expertise in experimental philosophy or experimental linguistics, or a strong willingness to acquire this expertise
- Background in semantics or philosophy of language
- Background or interest in philosophy of mind
- Publication record in international journals and volumes
- Willingness to engage with new research topics and interdisciplinary collaboration
Required documents
- CV
- Letter of motivation
- Writing sample reflecting your approach and methods
- Contact information for two references
When to apply
- Application deadline: 2026-10-19
How to apply
- Prepare the required documents
- Submit your application via the official online application portal
- Mention reference number ANR 6192 in your application
Additional information
- The position is full-time (39.83 hours/week) starting 2027-01-01
- No teaching obligation if funded by third-party funds
- Campus languages are German and English; competence in at least one is required with a willingness to learn the other
- Travel and application costs for interviews are not reimbursed
- The position is subject to a final funding decision by the DFG Senate in late November 2026
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…
- Ideal for early-career researchers with a PhD in philosophy or linguistics who are eager to bridge theoretical philosophy with experimental methods.
- Strong fit for candidates with a demonstrated interest in the intersection of memory, imagination, and semantics.
- Excellent opportunity for those looking to build an international publication record within a high-profile, interdisciplinary research environment.
What should you think carefully about?
- The position is fixed-term until the end of 2030, which offers long-term stability for a postdoc but is not a permanent role.
- The appointment is conditional on a final funding decision by the DFG Senate in late November 2026, which applicants should note before making major relocation plans.
- While the university provides language support, candidates should be prepared to work in a bilingual environment (German/English).
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This role is a significant opportunity for a researcher to contribute to a major, multi-year interdisciplinary project. It is well-suited for someone aiming to deepen their expertise in experimental philosophy while working within a collaborative, well-funded research consortium. The position provides the resources and environment to produce high-quality research, present at international conferences, and advance one's academic career in a supportive, research-intensive setting.
Our take
This is a highly attractive position for philosophers or linguists with an interest in experimental methods and cognitive science. Candidates who are comfortable with interdisciplinary work and are looking for a substantial, multi-year research role should seriously consider applying. Those who prefer purely theoretical work or are seeking a permanent position may find this role less suitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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