We are seeking a candidate for a PhD project on the philosophical and statistical aspects of data integration across scientific disciplines, with the aim of understanding the evidential value of such interdisciplinary, integrated data sets. The position is located at the Faculty of Philosophy but the project is part of a collaboration between data scientists and philosophers of science working on the epistemology of data science. The PhD candidate will work on a project in the philosophy of science that maintains strong ties to statistics and statistical methodology.

See the link below for a further description of the project:
https://www.scoop-program.org/program-projects/718-13-1-interdisciplinary-data-integration-and-evidence-amalgamation

The project is part of the transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary research programme SCOOP: Roadmaps to Resilient Societies (see: http://www.scoop-program.org ). SCOOP is a research and training centre dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of sustainable cooperation as a key feature of resilient societies. SCOOP brings together researchers of the University of Groningen, Utrecht University, VU Amsterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Radboud University Nijmegen. The PhD student will participate in the SCOOP PhD training program, see: https://www.scoop-program.org/training-program-towards-transdisciplinarity

We are looking for candidates who have finished, or are close to finishing, a master’s degree in philosophy, or else in the foundations of statistics, the methodology of the social sciences, or similar. Additionally we require that candidates have:

- excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- strong affinity with statistics and data science
- an interest in integrating insights from statistics and data science into a philosophical framework
- eagerness to learn to work in an interdisciplinary research team and to conduct interdisciplinary research in the SCOOP programme
- a strong motivation for doing a PhD.

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

- a gross salary of € 2,541 gross per month in the first year to a maximum of € 3,247 gross per month in the final year (salary scale PhD), based on a full-time position (1.0 FTE)
- a holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and a 8.3% year-end bonus
- a position for four years (full time). Each successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the contract period is to be expected. A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of the Faculty.

The preferred start date is between 1 October and 1 December 2021.

Faculty of Philosophy

Since its founding in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative center of higher education, offering high-quality teaching and research. We encourage the 36,000 students and researchers to develop their own individual talents. Among the best research universities in Europe, we join forces with prestigious partner universities and networks around the world, the University of Groningen is truly an international place of knowledge.

The Faculty of Philosophy is a vibrant, international community of excellent researchers and teachers. It consistently receives the highest evaluations for research among philosophy departments in The Netherlands. The Center for Information Technology (CIT) of the University of Groningen is the leading university center in the Netherlands in the field of information and communication technology.CIT supports and facilitates scientific research and university education with innovative data and IT solutions, consultancy and training.