PhD student; m​/f​/x in project Qualitative Grading in Science-Rationality, Aggregation

Faculty of Philosophy and Educational Research:
Institute for Philosophy II – Chair of Social Epistemology and Reasoning in Science. We are looking for a fixed‑term, part‑time (25.8895 h/week = 65%) PhD candidate to start at the earliest possible date.

The chair deals with social epistemology and philosophy of science.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a PhD candidate (m/f/x) to conduct research on the dynamics of qualitative judgment in science (e.g., how scientists grade hypotheses as “promising” or “likely”). As part of the French‑German QUALIGRASCI consortium, you will develop and analyze agent‑based models (ABMs) to investigate how scientific communities aggregate these judgments under challenging conditions. The candidate will be supervised by Prof. Dunja Šešelja (Ruhr‑University Bochum) and Prof.

Thomas Boyer‑Kassem (University of Poitiers). Please find information on the research project here: (Sie können sich bewerben oder uns per E-Mail kontaktieren in dem Sie die untenstehende Online-Bewerbungsbox verwenden).

• Scope: part-time
• Duration: fixed‑term, 3 Years
• Start: at the earliest possible date
• Apply by:

• Develop Computational Models:
  Design and implement agent‑based models of scientific inquiry to simulate how scientists assign and aggregate qualitative grades to hypotheses.
• Simulate Complex Scenarios:
  Use these models to study the impact of deliberative procedures, peer disagreement, and “fast science” (time‑pressured decision‑making) on collective epistemic performance.
• Compare Aggregation Methods:
  Run simulations to evaluate the truth‑tracking ability of different aggregation procedures (e.g., Majority Judgment vs. Plurality Voting) in scientific controversies.
• Collaboration:
  
  Work closely with the international team.

• M.A. degree in philosophy
• Strong background in social epistemology of science and formal methods (ideally, agent‑based modeling)
• Programming skills relevant to agent‑based modeling (e.g., Python, Net Logo, or similar)

Please submit the following documents (see application portal):

Challenging and varied tasks with a high level of independence, employment at one of the largest universities in Germany within the University Alliance Ruhr, flexible working hours with consideration for study times, collaboration in a committed and appreciative team.

The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV‑L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E13 TV‑L. Further information can be found at https://oeffentlicher‑ (in German). The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum. If the position is funded by third‑party funds the employee has no teaching obligation.

RUB sees itself as a university with an international presence. The campus languages are German and English. Competence in at least one of the two languages and the willingness to learn the other are a prerequisite. RUB provides corresponding free courses for employees. German language courses are offered by the University Language Center (ZFA) in the field of German as a Foreign Language (DaF).

The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the request of a candidate (m/f/x), it will ensure its participation in the entire procedure. Please contact

The Ruhr‑Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr‑Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates.

Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.

Prof. Dr. Dunja Šešelja
Tel.: +49 234 32 26739

Christiane Dahl (Secretary)
Tel.: +49 234 32 26739

Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.

We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by . Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5312.

Online application: