Vacant job

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We are seeking a candidate who wishes to contribute to the research project What’s Next For Frontier Particle Physics? in a three-year postdoctoral position. The position is located at the Department of Philosophy, Lund University, within Adam Koberinski's research group, and is partially funded by the LMK Foundation.

The Research Project

What’s Next for Frontier Particle Physics? is a five-year research project conducted at Lund University with Adam Koberinski as the Principal Investigator (PI).

Particle physics is at a crossroads. On the one hand, the Standard Model of particle physics has withstood decades of rigorous testing and exhibits some of the most precisely confirmed predictions in the history of science. On the other hand, the Standard Model itself seems to indicate that it should not work as well as it does, and physicists expect the model to be incomplete. This implies that there is something problematic in our current understanding of the Standard Model – but what? Conceptual questions of this kind are particularly well-suited for philosophical analysis of science.

The project constitutes a threefold philosophical investigation of contemporary particle physics with the aim of diagnosing the theoretical and experimental challenges that the Standard Model faces. The project includes (1) an in-depth study of the foundations of theoretical particle physics, (2) a comprehensive analysis of how and why particle physics has been so successful in recent decades, and (3) an analysis of experiments in particle physics that search for new, yet unknown physics.

The project involves close collaboration between philosophers and researchers within Lund University's Department of Particle Physics, enabling continuous exchange of ideas and direct philosophical engagement in current physics research. Special attention will be paid to experiments conducted at the European research facility European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund.

Tasks and Responsibilities

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will play a central role in the project from its inception. During the three-year employment period, your contributions will be crucial for the project to develop quickly and productively from the start. The position offers a high degree of intellectual independence within a collaborative research environment.

Main Tasks:

• Conduct high-quality independent research in the philosophy of science in line with one or more of the project's three research areas.
• Collaborate with the project leader in writing co-authored scientific articles and other project outputs. Regular participation in group meetings and seminars is expected.
• Contribute to scientific supervision and mentoring of any doctoral students within the research group.
• Present research results at national and international conferences and workshops.
• Participate in the planning and execution of two project workshops bringing together philosophy of physics, history of science, and physicists.
• Engage in research communication and collaboration with the surrounding society, including popular science writing and public lectures.

The position is intended as an initial step in your career and as an opportunity for you to further deepen and broaden your research competence. The position also includes some pedagogical merit. Teaching, supervision, and other teaching-related tasks may occur within the scope of the employment, but no more than one-fifth of working time.

Qualifications

The assessment will primarily be based on your scientific merits and potential as a researcher. Particular importance will be attached to scientific ability within the subject area.

Requirements for the position are:

• A PhD degree or equivalent foreign degree in philosophy of physics, philosophy of science, theoretical physics, or a closely related field. The PhD degree must be completed no later than the time when the employment decision is made, and you as an applicant must complete your application with documentation proving the awarded PhD degree before this time.
• Good ability to develop and conduct high-quality research.
• Pedagogical ability.
• You have not previously been employed as a postdoctoral researcher under the current collective agreement for more than one year in the same or closely related subject area at Lund University.
• Documented research competence in at least one of the following areas: philosophy of physics, philosophy of experiment, or particle physics.
• A strong publication record in peer-reviewed scientific publications adapted to career stage.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a small, interdisciplinary research group.
• Very good knowledge of English.

Merits for the position are:

• PhD degree awarded no more than three years before the last application day. If there are special reasons such as illness, parental leave, union trust positions, service in the total defense, or service/assignment relevant to the subject area, this time can be deducted from the time elapsed since the PhD degree was awarded.
• Knowledge of the Standard Model of particle physics and/or effective field theory.
• Experience working with philosophical literature on scientific realism and pragmatism.
• Experience in supervision or mentoring at the doctoral level.
• Documented experience of interdisciplinary collaboration between philosophy and physics.
• Documented interest in, or previous research on, fundamental questions at the frontier of modern physics research.

Conditions

The employment is fixed-term for 3 years and is full-time according to the Agreement on Fixed-Term Employment as a Postdoctoral Researcher.