Share page
Faculty of Philosophy and Educational Research :
Chair of History and Philosophy of Science
ERC project "BOTLEG – Botanical Legacies: Towards a New History and Philosophy of Virtual Herbaria"
In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) 1st Sept 2026 (negotiable), we are looking for two
PhD Positions (m/f/x), Areas: History of Biology, Philosophy of Biology
The Institute of Philosophy I at the Ruhr University Bochum seeks applications for 2 fully funded PhD positions (1.0 FTE), each for 4 years – one in philosophy of biology, one in history of biology. They will be part of the ERC-funded project "BOTLEG – Botanical Legacies: Towards a New History and Philosophy of Virtual Herbaria". Doctoral students (m/f/x) will conduct their research under the supervision of the project’s PI, Dr. Jan Baedke.
This ERC-funded project aims to help develop more inclusive, theoretically sound, and socially just botanical research by focusing on virtual herbaria—digitized collections of plant specimens. From a perspective of integrated history and philosophy of science, it addresses several historical, epistemic, and conceptual challenges of herbarium research in light of current digitization trends. BOTLEG will collaborate with botanists and herbarium experts in Central America, Southeast Asia, and the Netherlands. More information on the project: https://tinyurl.com/yc236p2j
Scope: full-time
Duration: fixed-term, 4 years
Start: 1st Sept 2026 (negotiable)
Apply by: 2026-05-25
Your tasks:
The successful candidates (m/f/x) are expected to actively contribute to the above project.
(1) The philosophical PhD project should address relevant conceptual, epistemological, and/or methodological issues on (or related to) integrating and sharing plant and biodiversity data, digitization trends and protocols in plant science, biases and values in data science, or conservation challenges, or focus on relevant concepts like scientific pluralism or biological individuality.
(2) The historical PhD project should study the work and impact of (networks of) local and Indigenous plant collectors (19-20th century) in Central America (or Latin America more generally) and South East Asia. This work should be supported by archival research and/or digital humanities approaches, exploring biodiversity databases as historical sources. A focus of the PhD project should be on (or related to) issues of colonial science, epistemic injustice, values in plant science, traditional ecological knowledge, Digital Natural and Cultural Heritage, and Indigenous data sovereignty and governance.
Each candidate’s work should lead to a PhD dissertation within 4 years. The successful candidates (m/f/x) will be encouraged to present their research at international workshops or conferences, and at meetings of the international research group. Research collaborations with other team members (from Mexico, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Germany, and the U.S.) as well as with members of the Chair of History and Philosophy of Science are strongly encouraged. PhD researchers (m/f/x) will co-organize workshops and conferences with the other members of the team. Candidates will enjoy the groups’ administrative facilities and financial support.
Your profile:
For both positions a Master degree in philosophy or history is required. For the historical position also a degree in digital humanities or computational analysis of biodiversity data is possible. The candidates should have a strong interest in integrating historical and philosophical studies of science in their work. Although no prior knowledge of history and philosophy of biology is required, such knowledge will be considered as a plus. Other general requirements are high research, writing, and communication skills, the ability to work both independently and as part of an (international) team, and excellent command of English (mastering the German Language is not required). For more specific requirements:
(1) For the PhD position in philosophy of biology: Expertise (or some knowledge) in philosophy of science is required. The applicant needs the ability to substantively engage with philosophical and scientific texts.
(2) For the PhD position in history of biology: Applicants should have a profile in (i) history of science or (ii) digital humanities. They should have the (i) ability to substantively engage with historical sources (with reading skills in Dutch, Spanish or Bahasa Indonesia, or willingness to acquire these skills) and have experience in archival research and/or (ii) experience in computational methods of text mining, analysis, and visualization (e.g. Python) or analysis of biodiversity data (e.g., R).
Applications bridging these two philosophical and historical profiles are also welcome.
We offer:
- A diverse and fair working environment
- Support in reconciling work and family life
- Extensive advanced training opportunities
- Occupational health management offers
The Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) is located in the dynamic metropolitan and multicultural region of the Ruhrgebiet (state of North-Rhine Westfalia, close to the Netherlands and Belgium). With its 20 faculties RUB houses 43,000 students from over 130 different nationalities, over 800 international researchers and visiting staff, and a broad range of disciplines on one compact campus, including the humanities and social sciences, science and technology, and health sciences. It offers rich opportunities for collaboration across different disciplines and one of the largest botanical gardens among German universities. The ‘Institutes of Philosophy’ (I and II) are the largest Philosophy Department in Germany, which provides an ideal environment for doctoral students to both broaden and deepen their expertise and personal skills to further their career. In addition, the RUB Research School provides various individual training opportunities. For more information on the Chair of History and Philosophy of Science, please visit:
Further information:
The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E13 TV-L.
Further information can be found at (in German).
The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.
If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no teaching obligation.
Applications in English should include: • A cover letter that addresses one‘s interest in and suitability for PhD position (1) and/or (2). • A brief description (maximum: 2 pages) of research topics, questions or ideas of interest that fit to the group’s profile. • A full CV, including description of the topic of your MA dissertation, and 2 references (recommendation letters are not required at this stage). • A copy of the relevant degree/certificate. • A representative writing sample (such as an extract from your Master thesis, a term paper that you have written, etc.).
RUB sees itself as a university with an international presence. The campus languages are German and English. Competence in at least one of the two languages and the willingness to learn the other are a prerequisite. RUB provides corresponding free courses for employees.
German language courses are offered by the University Language Center (ZFA) in the field of German as a Foreign Language (DaF). https://www.daf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/sbgk/index.html.en
The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the request of a candidate (m/f/x), it will ensure its participation in the entire procedure. Please contact wpr@rub.de.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s declared aim.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.
Contact persons for further information:
Prof. Dr. Jan Baedke, +49(0)234/32-24727
Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.
We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by 2026-05-25. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5644.
RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM
44801 Bochum
Universitätsstraße 150
SOCIAL MEDIA