The Faculty of Human Sciences and Theology, in cooperation with the
Faculty of Physics, is offering a post-doctoral research position for a
project duration of three years at the earliest possible date. Payment
according to public service’s wage agreement TV-L E13. An employment in
or a reduction to part-time is generally possible.
The position is part of the DFG project “Data, Theories and Scientific
Explanation: The Example of Astroparticle Physics”, which addresses
epistemological questions of the theory dependence of data and
scientific explanation at the intersection of philosophy and physics.
Astroparticle physics investigates cosmic rays using telescope systems
that monitor large volumes of data and register subatomic messenger
particles from the universe. Innovative machine learning methods are
used for data analysis at TU Dortmund University, and the project
focuses on the probabilistic character and epistemic significance of
these methods.
We offer:
The opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research at the interface of
physics and philosophy; connections to the LAMARR Institute for Machine
Learning and Artificial Intelligence, the SFB 1491 “Cosmic Interacting
Matters”, and the DFG project UDNN (Prof. Florian J. Boge); many
opportunities for further qualification as well as the opportunity to
present your research at national and international conferences.
Tasks: The role of machine learning in astroparticle physics, particle
physics, and radio astronomy will be investigated in studies to clarify
how machine learning mediates between measurement results and theory and
how this has to be interpreted from an epistemological point of view.
The work will be integrated into the research group of Prof. Wolfgang
Rhode (Physics) and carried out in cooperation with Prof. Brigitte
Falkenburg (Philosophy).
Your qualification:
– highly motivated PostDoc with an excellent PhD in philosophy
(philosophy of science or history and philosophy of science) or in
physics (astroparticle, particle or astrophysics)
– He/she should be familiar with data analysis in high energy physics or
astroparticle physics to be able to compare their methods, and have the
relevant philosophical knowledge required for epistemological comparison
– Previous experience in interdisciplinary work, familiarity with the
philosophical debates on the epistemic significance of computer
simulations and machine learning as well as related publications in
peer-reviewed international journals are welcome.
– we expect the ability to combine teamwork with independent research
and good communication and organizational skills.
We promote diversity and equal opportunities. Convince us with your
personality and expertise. Applications from women will be given
preferential treatment in accordance with legal regulations. Please note
that applications from suitable severely disabled persons are welcome.
Please send your application with the usual documents (CV, grades,
motivation, reference) by 10.10.024, quoting the reference number
w46-24, to:
Prof. Dr. Dr. Wolfgang Rhode
Dortmund University of Technology
Faculty of Physics
Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a
44227 Dortmund
If you have any questions, please contact:
brigitte.falkenburg@tu-dortmund.de
wolfgang.rhode@tu-dortmund.de