PhD position at the chair of Prof. Newen, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany (start in February-March 2026, fixed-term: three years; salary scale 65 % TVL 13, no teaching obligation) provided formal approval from the university.
Research Area: ethics and metaethics of sciences with a focus on AI or computer science, intersection of theoretical philosophy and AI ethics, ethical and meta-ethical principles of science and the role of AI in science, AI agency, AI consciousness and moral standing, catastrophic or existential risks from AI in science and society, AI deception, emotion in AI, other topics that align with the research interests of Albert Newen and Leonard Dung.
Please send your application (digital copy only) as two PDF files to sekretariat-newen@rub.de: first PDF file containing your personal documents (a short letter of motivation, CV, copies of certificates and records, description (max. 1 page plus references) in English language on a potential dissertation in the research area “Ethics and Metaethics for Science and the use of AI in science and society”); second PDF file containing exemplary reading material of your writing (e.g. an important publication; the key chapter of your Master’s or Diploma thesis)
Prerequisites: Candidates need to possess an outstanding master’s degree in philosophy, cognitive science, or theoretical chemistry. Candidates who have an outstanding degree in philosophy need to have some additional proven competence in philosophy of science or an area of cognitive science. Candidates who have an outstanding degree in computer science or theoretical chemistry need to have sufficient familiarity with philosophical methods. As a standard of orientation: these candidates should have proven evidence of courses with at least 20 credit points (or equivalent proven studies) in philosophy or theoretical cognitive science.
Application deadline: 19.11.2025
No reimbursement of interview related travel expenses or other costs is possible.
