The Centre for Advanced Studies “Human Abilities”, funded by the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), aims to better understand human abilities by doing foundational work in three areas: metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of action. More specifically, the project aims to clarify the nature of human abilities; to determine which abilities are required for acquiring knowledge, and how knowledge of abilities is possible; and to analyse how free action can be understood better by reference to human abilities. In all three areas the project aims to build bridges (i) between historical accounts and contemporary theories and (ii) between different sub-disciplines of philosophy. “Human Abilities” is a joint project of Freie Universität Berlin (project leader: Barbara Vetter) and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (project leader: Dominik Perler).

Job description:
The successful candidate will pursue a doctoral project related to human abilities within contemporary philosophy. The research project will fit into one or more of the areas mentioned above: metaphysics, epistemology, and/or philosophy of action. As a member of the project, the successful candidate will have frequent interaction with other project members and will be involved in the organisation of research activities such as workshops, reading groups, etc.

Requirements:
A degree (MA or equivalent) in philosophy, completed prior to starting the position.

Desirable:
The successful candidate should have completed their degree in philosophy with excellent results, and should have an interest in engaging with philosophical texts, questions, and approaches outside their own research area, and especially with the history of philosophy.

The application should include the following documents: a cover letter, a CV, degree certificates, a writing sample in the form of one philosophical paper (published or unpublished), a research proposal of 2-3 pages on the topic of the project, a letter of recommendation (can be sent separately).
For more information please contact Dr. Sanja Dembić (human-abilities@fu-berlin.de/ +49 30 2093 70483).