Postdoctoral Researcher in Digital Humanities or Digital/Computational Philosophy of Science

 

Nestled in a modern city surrounded by nature and with an exceptional standard of living, Leibniz University Hannover offers excellent working conditions in a vibrant scientific community.

The Institute of Philosophy at Leibniz University Hannover has an excellent reputation for being one of the leading institutes in Europe with a highly active scholarly community and thriving research and teaching focus in philosophy of science.

The Institute of Philosophy welcomes applications for the following position with a flexible starting date: Postdoctoral Researcher in Digital Humanities or Digital/Computational Philosophy of Science (salary scale 13 TV-L, 75-100%)

The duration of this fix-term position is 2 years, with a possibility for extension. Working time is negotiable (75-100%) upon request; employment beyond 75% can require regular teaching obligations, in case the candidate is interested. You can find further information on the salary for this position here.

Your role

In the context of the project “MODEL TRANSFER – Model Transfer and its Challenges in Science: The Case of Economics,” funded by the European Research Council (ERC) through a Starting Grant to Prof. Dr. Catherine Herfeld (Leibniz University Hannover), we seek to appoint a postdoctoral researcher with special expertise in digital humanities, digital philosophy of science, and/or in computational and statistical methods. To study the phenomenon of model transfer and its challenges in science, members of the project systematically, historically and empirically analyse the transfer of scientific models across domains, to understand, among other things, the nature of such transfers, the challenges they confront, how they might affect the organization of science, and whether they contribute to scientific progress. To do empirical analyses, we primarily use computational methods (e.g., network analysis, blockmodeling and other computational and natural language processing tools) to identify relevant transfer patterns as well as track and empirically map the transfer processes of models across different domains.

Find out more about the project here and here. The position is also attached to the Chair of Philosophy and History of Economics (Prof. Dr. Catherine Herfeld).

The position requires to conduct research within the topical boundaries of the ERC-funded project. While your research will center around philosophical and empirical issues raised by model transfer in science, you will have the opportunity to develop your own research focus within the scope of the project. The successful candidate will also be expected to work in a team, actively participate in all project events, co-organize events on the project topic and present their research at conferences and workshops on a regular basis.

Who are we looking for?

The successful candidate must hold a university science degree in the field of philosophy or another relevant discipline.

In addition, we are looking for a candidate with the following:

• A completed, or close to complete, doctoral degree in philosophy or any other field relevant for the skillset is expected to conduct research in the model transfer project
• While the project is mainly focused on case studies from economics, candidates who aim at studying model transfer in other fields (e.g., philosophy of biology, physics, any other social science or the life sciences) are very welcome to apply. A specialization in the philosophy of modeling would be an advantage but is not required.
• Ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals
• Independent and professional way of working
• Ability and willingness to work in a team, with external members of the project, and across disciplines
• Programming skills (R, python, Gephi, etc.) and expertise in computational methods
• Excellent English-language skills in spoken and written; fluency in German is not required

Equal opportunities and diversity are core values at Leibniz University Hannover. Our goal is to tap into individual potential and open up possibilities. We therefore welcome applications from anyone interested in the position, irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or ideology, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

We strive towards a balanced and diverse workforce and a reduction in under-representation in accordance with the Lower Saxony Equal Rights Act (Niedersächsisches Gleichberechtigungsgesetz – NGG). We therefore also welcome applications from women for the above-mentioned position. Preference will be given to equally-qualified candidates with disabilities.

Why join us?

At the Institute of Philosophy, we offer an attractive working atmosphere in a vibrant and highly active research environment engaged in research areas covering most areas in philosophy of science and working together with the ambitious and motivated MODEL TRANSFER team. Both offer a lot of opportunities for your academic development. Due to our international collaborations and visiting scientists, our institute languages are English and German.

Regarding the university as a whole, with more than 5000 employees, Leibniz University Hannover is one of the largest and most attractive employers in the Hannover region. We offer a vibrant interdisciplinary and international working environment, and promote personal and professional development ranging from subject-related skills to leadership and languages.

Part-time employment as well as remote work (mobile work, work from home) can be arranged upon request. We support employees with balancing work and family life, through services such as back-up childcare, childcare during school holidays, and parent-child offices, as well as providing individual advice regarding family responsibilities and caring for dependants.

To promote health and well-being among employees, we offer an extensive sports programme with over 100 different sports, as well as a fitness centre with a sauna and climbing space. Health management measures, such as courses on stress management, good nutrition and relaxation, aim to ensure a healthy workplace.

 

Additional information

For further information about the available position, you may contact Prof. Dr. Catherine Herfeld
(email: catherine.herfeld@philos.uni-hannover.de).

Please submit your application with supporting documents (cover letter explaining your interest in and qualification for the position, research statement of max. 2 pages elaborating on your research plan within the MODEL TRANSFER project, CV including a list of publications, a summary of your dissertation, certificates, a writing sample of max. 20 pages on any topic that reflects your best philosophical writing, and contact information of two referees) the latest by April 10, 2025 as a single pdf in electronic form to