PhD Scholarship in Philosophy of Perception – University of Copenhagen, Denmark

The Department of Communication, Faculty of Humanities at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), invites applications for a fully funded PhD position in Philosophy of Perception to commence on January 1, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter. This exciting opportunity is part of the research project “Mapping Perceptual Presence,” funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) and led by Associate Professor Søren Overgaard. The project aims to analyze key features of perceptual experience, combining philosophy of perception and philosophy of psychiatry.

About the Project:
The “Mapping Perceptual Presence” project focuses on the concept of perceptual presence, which enables us to differentiate genuine perceptions from imagery or daydreaming in everyday life and plays a significant role in understanding various mental disorders. However, researchers rarely address presence explicitly and often lack a clear definition of its essence. The overarching research question of this project is to explore the nature and manifestation of perceptual presence in both pathological and non-pathological experiences.

PhD Project in Philosophy of Perception:
As a PhD candidate, your research will delve into the nature and structure of perceptual presence. Key questions to explore include whether presence is a feature of perceptual content or if it requires invoking brute acquaintance relations to account for its existence.

Qualification Requirements:
Applicants must hold a two-year Master’s degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent and have pre-approval for their Master’s thesis by the application deadline. Proficiency in written and spoken academic English is essential, and candidates may be asked to provide documentation of their English language skills if necessary.

Application:
To apply, submit your application online in PDF or Microsoft Word format through the link “Apply for the position” at the bottom of the page. The application must include:

1. Project abstract (max. 1,200 characters with spaces).
2. Personal statement (max. one page) detailing how your research plan aligns with the department’s activities and your competencies relevant to the PhD program.
3. Curriculum vitae (max. one page) and list of publications, if applicable.
4. Documentation of diplomas and transcripts, including Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. If necessary, provide translations approved by the issuing university.
5. Detailed project description (max. five pages or 12,000 characters, including spaces, excluding bibliography) covering problem formulation, objectives, methodology, design, and timetable.
6. Statements of consent, if applicable.

Assessment Criteria:
Applications will be assessed based on the quality, originality, and feasibility of the PhD project, research qualifications demonstrated in the CV and project description, competencies in relevant academic fields, and academic performance in Bachelor’s and Master’s studies.

Enrolment and Remuneration:
Successful applicants must enrol at the PhD School of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Copenhagen. The appointment as a PhD Fellow is subject to the collective bargaining agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC).

Application Deadline:
The deadline for applications is September 25, 2023, at 23:59 CEST (Central European summer time). Please ensure timely submission as applications and additional materials received after the deadline will not be considered.

Contact:
For more information about the project “Mapping Perceptual Presence,” please contact Associate Professor Søren Overgaard (s.overgaard@hum.ku.dk).

Join Our Academic Community:
The University of Copenhagen, part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), is renowned for promoting research and teaching of the highest international standard. Embrace this opportunity to cultivate your talent in a stimulating and informal environment.

Further Information:
For detailed guidelines and additional information about the application process and PhD program structure, visit the University of Copenhagen website.

Note:
Please do not submit recommendations, publications, theses, etc. with your application. Any changes to the submitted application can be made until the deadline.