At the Chair of Philosophy of Language and Cognition, Ruhr University Bochum, we are offering an
Employed PhD Position in Cognitive Science/Philosophy of Mind (m/f/x) on Memory
- fixed-term position in part-time (65% TV-L E13)
- starting 01 Jan.2027 (or as early as possible)
- ending 31 Dec 2030
- apply by 19 Oct 2026
- legally binding job announcement: http://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/a97a97cb820015e916780e984ef39659950874510
The successful applicant (m/f/x) will be affiliated with the the Chair of Philosophy of Language and Cognition (rub.de/phil-lang) and work within the Collaborative Research Center “Episodic Memory” (CRC 1844). They will pursue the philosophy-of-mind and cognitive science part of the research project A05 “Mnemic referential dependencies: Specificity and the role of traces in scenario construction”. The CRC is an interdisciplinary consortium consisting of researchers from philosophy, psychology, and (computational) neuroscience.
The Chair of Philosophy of Language and Cognition (rub.de/phil-lang) belongs to one of the largest and most research-active philosophy departments in Germany and is member of the Center for Theoretical and Integrative Neuro- and Cognitive Science THINK as well as the Center of Mind and Cognition at Ruhr University Bochum.
On a funded PhD position (m/f/x), you will investigate the relationship between memory traces and reference relations in various types of memories, including episodic memories from perceptions and dreams as well as generic memories with an episodic-like phenomenology. You will closely interact with, and contribute to studies that involve computational modelling, neuroimaging (fMRI), and experimental linguistic research.
Your tasks:
- Attest, survey, and classify cases of memories with an episodic-like phenomenology
- Develop a theory of mnemic reference on the basis of evidence about memory traces, engrams, and scenario construction from psychology, neuroscience, compuational modelling, and phenomenology
- Generate and test hypotheses about the mechanisms underlying trace formation, modulation, multiplication, and semanticization in the different cases of memory
- Address the question of whether and to which extent the different cases of memory are subserved by a uniform underlying mechanism and can be subsumed under a natural kind of episodic memory
- (Co-)author publications on the project and related topics
- Support reporting, organization, and adminstrative tasks in the context of the CRC
Your profile:
- You have an MA/MSc in Cognitive Science, Philosophy, Psychology, or Computational/Cognitive Neuroscience
- A background in philosophical or psychological theories of memory, mental representation, and/or reference is desirable.
- Mathematical programming skills are an advantage.
- Very good scientific/philosophical writing skills are required.
Your application should include:
- CV (including list of publications)
- Letter of Interest (max. 1 page)
- A writing sample that reflects the applicant’s approach/methods
- Contact information of 2 references.
For futther information, please contact Prof. Dr. Markus Werning (markus.werning@rub.de).