Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies of the Radboud University Nijmegen
Vacancy number: 21.05.15
Application deadline: 6 September 2015

Responsibilities
As a PhD candidate, you will conduct research on the PhD project The Reception of Thomas Aquinas’ Philosophical Psychology (13th-17th centuries).

Short description of the project:

The introduction of the corpus aristotelicum into university curricula in the 13th century created tensions in the various branches of natural philosophy, metaphysics and ethics. In the field of philosophical psychology, Thomas Aquinas was among the first authors to incorporate the views of Aristotle (and of his commentator Averroes) in his accounts of the soul. He did so against a background that was largely dominated by Neoplatonizing authors such as Augustine and Avicenna. Unsurprisingly, Aquinas’ psychological views rapidly became the object of debate and remained a permanent point of reference. Aquinas’ views thus constitute an excellent starting point for a study of aspects of philosophical psychology from the late Middle Ages until the early modern period.

The Research Institute in Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies calls for PhD proposals concerning a specific aspect of the reception of Thomas Aquinas’ views in the field of philosophical psychology from the late 13th until the 17th century. Possible topics are: soul and body; soul and substantial form; the powers and habits of the soul; the immortality of the soul; the ‘separate’ soul and its powers; etc. The Institute especially welcomes proposals that combine doctrinal and institutional perspectives (e.g. ecclesiastical condemnations, university regulations, etc.) on the reception of Aquinas’ views.

Work environment
The Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies aims at providing the best possible academic learning and working environment for its 600 students and 140 staff members.

The PhD project will be carried out as part of the Faculty’s Research Programme I (‘Competing Worldviews’) in the Chair of History of Philosophy. You will participate in regular research seminars and be a part of a lively research environment. You will be trained and supervised in accordance with the regulations of the Radboud Graduate School for the Humanities. You will be a member of this school and have access to all courses, meetings and facilities offered by it.

What we expect from you

- MA in philosophy, preferably in the history of medieval and/or early modern philosophy;
- good knowledge of Latin and excellent command of written and spoken English (C2 level);
- ability to conduct research autonomously, analyse complex problems and develop sound arguments;
- maturity, self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and as a team player;
- good communication and organizational skills.

What we have to offer

- employment: 0,8 - 1,0 fte;
- in addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
- gross starting salary will amount to €2,125 per month based on full-time employment, and will increase to €2,717 per month in the fourth year (P scale);
- in accordance with university policy, you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (in case of a 0.8 appointment: by 3.5 years);
- you will be classified as a PhD candidate (‘promovendus’) in the Dutch university job-ranking system (UFO)

Are you interested in our excellent employment conditions (http://www.ru.nl/english/arbeidsvoorwaarden?kn)?Would you like to know more? Further information on: Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies (http://www.ru.nl/ptrs/)For more information about this vacancy, please contact:
Prof.dr. P.J.J.M. Bakker, Professor Medieval and Renaissance philosophy
Telephone: +31 24 3612756
E-mail: p [dot] bakker [__at__] ftr [dot] ru [dot] nlProf [dot] dr. D.A.T. Müller, Professor History of Christianity
Telephone: +31 24 3612606
E-mail: d [dot] mueller [__at__] ftr [dot] ru [dot] nl

Are you interested?
Apply via http://www.ru.nl/overons/werken-radboud/details/details_vacature_0/?reci....
For more information on your application: +31 24 3611173.