Postdoctoral Researcher in Mathematical Logic

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) is looking for an exceptional researcher in the area of Mathematical Logic to hold a one-year postdoctoral position within the project 'The Logic of Conceivability [LoC]. Modelling Rational Imagination With Non-Normal Modal Logics'. This is a 5-year project (2017-2022) funded with 2.000.000 Euros by the European Research Council, and led by Principal Investigator (PI) Prof. Franz Berto.

A short description of the LoC project can be found here.

The ILLC is a renowned research institute at the University of Amsterdam, in which researchers from the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Science collaborate. The research carried out at Humanities forms one of the six research schools within this faculty. ILLC’s central research area is the study of fundamental principles of encoding, transmission and comprehension of information. Research at ILLC is interdisciplinary, and aims at bringing together insights from various disciplines concerned with information and information processing, such as logic, philosophy, linguistics, musicology, mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence and cognitive science.

What are you going to do?

The postdoc will work within the subproject 'Core Theory & applications' and will be employed full-time for one year. This subproject is about developing the Core LoC theory and addressing the open problems the project is meant to tackle: the problem of logical omniscience in epistemic logic, the problem of Information overload, and the problem of how to model moderately rational cognitive agents. A list of published LoC research papers can be found here.

This will be a pure research position, with the postdoc expected to:

- present intermediate research results at international workshops and conferences;

- deliver excellent publications in cooperation with the PI and the other project members;

- help with all the organizational tasks connected to the project, including:

• the organization and attendance of a regular LoC project seminar;
• the organization of a major LoC Conference in 2021;
• the maintenance of the interactive project web site;
• the dissemination of results to non-specialists as planned in the LoC project.

What do we require?

• PhD in Mathematical Logic and expertise in at least two areas between Philosophical logic, Cognitive science, Philosophy of mind, and the Psychology of reasoning;
• research works testifying the capacity to publish regularly in top journals;
• strong willingness to help with all the organizational duties connected to the LoC project;
• strong cooperative attitude and willingness to engage in collaborative research;
• excellent command of English.

Our offer

The selected Postdoctoral researcher will be employed at the University of Amsterdam’s Faculty of Humanities within the Department of Philosophy and will execute the research in the ILLC. The employment contract will be for 38 hours per week (1,0 FTE) for a period of 1 year. The intended starting date is 1 April 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter. The gross monthly salary may range from €3,491 to €4,262 depending on experience and qualifications, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities.

Questions?

For more information on the project, please contact:

• Franz Berto

For practical questions regarding the procedure, please contact:

• Ms. Pam Rossel, Project assistant

Job application

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

Applications should include the following information via the CV button, in one single pdf file, named using your surname and 'postdoc-logic as file name, e.g.: Smith-postdoc-logic.pdf:

- a 1-page statement of research motivating why you are applying and how you can contribute to the LoC project in terms of

• excellent publications;
• cooperative research, and
• help with organization;

- CV, including

• details of research experience;
• names and e-mail addresses of at least two referees to be contacted informally for references;
• full list of publications.
  Also include URLs for downloading sample publications and/or thesis manuscripts (do not send these as part of your application).

Applicants must have completed their PhD by the time they apply.

Applications must be submitted no later than 1 December 2020 via the link below.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on line in December 2020.

The intended starting date is 1 April 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter.
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