2 PhD funded Studentships on Philosophy

2 PhD funded Studentships
Project on the Phenomenal Qualities
Department of Philosophy

The University of Hertfordshire invites applications for two full-time doctoral studentships, as part of an AHRC funded three-year research project running at the University of Hertfordshire under the leadership of Professor Paul Coates, to study the nature of phenomenal qualities.

The studentships are for three years full-time study, fully funded at the current AHRC rate of £12,940 per annum, plus fees, starting on October 1st 2009.

The Project focuses upon the cognitive role and ontological nature of phenomenal qualities, and in particular upon their relation to the physical world. It will examine both the "objective" and the "subjective" dimensions of phenomenal qualities as they occur in experiences. One branch of the Project concerns the role that phenomenal qualities play in perception: it will investigate whether they are best understood as intrinsic properties of inner experiences, or alternatively, should be construed as the manifest properties of perceived objects. The second branch of the Project concerns the metaphysics of phenomenal qualities and the philosophy of mind: in particular, it will involve an investigation of the prospects for integrating such qualities within a broadly physicalistic worldview (each branch will be broadly construed, and we accept that there may be some overlap between the areas of investigation).

The Project is a large and ambitious one, involving a worldwide network of leading researchers in philosophy of mind/perception, and will include a high-profile lecture series, seminars, and two workshops, leading up to a major international conference on phenomenal qualities in 2011/12. Successful applicants, therefore, can look forward to being part of a rich and vibrant research community, at the cutting-edge of its discipline.

We seek one PhD student to study full-time within the first branch identified above, on a topic connected with phenomenal qualities and perception, and a second PhD student to study full-time on the topic of phenomenal qualities as this relates to issues in metaphysics and the philosophy of mind. They will be supervised by Professor Coates and by Dr Coleman respectively. Professors Shaun Gallagher and Anthony Marcel will also be on the supervision teams.

Requirements:

Successful applicants will normally be expected to have a 1st class or good Upper 2nd class Honours degree in Philosophy, and also a Masters degree in Philosophy (or be approaching completion of a Masters degree), or the equivalent. Applicants must meet the Residence Eligibility conditions for AHRC awards. They will be expected to play an active role within the research activities organised in the Project.

Applications should include a CV, references from two academic referees, and a summary of your research proposal (max. 500 words). For application forms and details of how to apply please contact:

j.1.turner@herts.ac.uk, or write to Janice Turner, Phenomenal Qualities Project, SSAHRI, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, AL10 9AB.

For further information about the Studentships you are advised to contact either Paul Coates (P.Coates@herts.ac.uk) or Sam Coleman (S.Coleman@herts.ac.uk). Information about the AHRC funded Project, The Nature of Phenomenal Qualities, is available at: www.paulcoates.net.

Closing Date: 17th April 2009