Two Fully Funded PhD positions in Philosophy, in association with Dr Elselijn Kingma’s ERC Starting Grant Project “Better Understanding the Metaphysics of Pregnancy”
The University of Southampton invites applications for two fully-funded, three-year PhD positions in Philosophy, in the context of Dr Elselijn Kingma’s ERC Project “Better Understanding the Metaphysics of Pregnancy” (BUMP). The primary research areas of the project are metaphysics and philosophy of the life sciences, but students are welcome to propose any project, in any area, that falls within the remit of the project, broadly construed.
The PhD will be registered at Southampton under the primary supervision of Dr Elselijn Kingma; a second supervisor will be chosen from Southampton philosophy staff. See https://www.southampton.ac.uk/philosophy/about/staff.page . Southampton is an active and growing research department with a flourishing postgraduate community. The BUMP research group, of which the PhD-candidate will be a member, comprises Dr Elselijn Kingma, Dr Suki Finn, a second postdoctoral researcher (to be recruited) and 2 PhD students. The group meets on a regular basis for work-in-progress meetings, reading groups and workshops.
The PhD is tenable for a maximum of three years. It is envisaged that the student will commence October 2017, at an annual maintenance stipend in line with RCUK levels (£14,553 for 2017/18). Fees, at the UK/EU rate, will also be covered. The candidate will also have access to generous additional funding for conference travel and other research activities – e.g. workshop organization – on an as needed basis and within the remit of the project, subject to approval by Kingma.
The PhD candidate will be expected to:
carry out their own independent PhD-sized research project within the remit of the grant and under the supervision of Kingma. (See below for examples and a project description.)
publish at least two academic papers.
be a proactive and collegial member of the BUMP research group and actively participate in all its activities;
undertake some minor administrative tasks – e.g. helping out at workshops.
For further details, please contact the Postgraduate Admissions Tutor, Dr Alex Gregory a.m.gregory@southampton.ac.uk
Eligibility: this scholarship is open to UK and EU nationals. Overseas candidates may also apply, but will have to find other funds to pay for their overseas fees, and provide evidence of their ability to do so
Entry requirements: The minimum of a good 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) and a Masters or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
Application: Please email Tracy Storey T.P.Storey@soton.ac.uk with:
a max. 1000 word research proposal outlining your proposed research project and demonstrating its fit with the overall BUMP project
a max 400 word personal statement indicating why and how you plan to contribute to the overall research project/group.
A writing sample (no more than 10,000 words)
A CV, including publications (if any)
The details of two academic references. Please also arrange that your referees send their confidential references directly, by email, from their professional address, to the address above by the deadline.
Deadline: Friday 16th June 2017
Shortlisted applicants may be invited for a SKYPE interviews in late June/early July.
Project Description:
A project description and short and long versions of the project proposal are available here: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/philosophy/research/projects/bump.page#project_overview
The long version of the proposal includes two examples of PhD projects (p. 10). Candidates may use these as the basis for their research proposal, but should not feel constrained by them. Any proposal within the remit of the project, broadly construed, will receive full and equal consideration.