Technische Universiteit Eindhoven Department of Technology Management
Job description
The PhDs will work on one of the following projects:
1. "Evolutionary Electronics as a Trade Zone" (vac.no. V39.439-1)
In (electrical) engineering, researchers have recently started to develop "evolutionary" design processes, imitating natural selection and the development of organisms. Typically, these efforts are described in terms of metaphors or analogies. In practice, natural evolution seems to play more than a mere heuristic role and, in fact, biologists are keenly interested in what they regard as simulations or even experimental evolutionary biology. In the project, the ongoing and deepening interaction between engineering and biology is examined. A conceptual analysis of common terminology for describing this interaction ("metaphor", "analogy", "imitation", "simulation") is provided. On a more descriptive level, the interaction will be analyzed with Peter Galison"s notion of a "trade zone". Close co-operation with researchers active in evolutionary electronics is foreseen.
This research project is part of the VIDI program Darwinism in the Man-Made World: Integrating Intention and Evolution, sponsored by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), and coordinated by dr. Wybo Houkes.
2. "Evolution, Cognitive Artifacts and Extended Minds" (vac.no. V39.439-2)
The hypothesis of the extended mind proposes that objects of the external environ¬ment are used by the human mind in such a way that it is useful to treat them as extensions of the mind itself. Of special interest are cognitive artifacts, i.e. external objects that aid, enhance, replace or improve the brain’s cognitive performance (such as electronic agenda’s, calculators, GPS’s, scientific instruments, computers, search engines on the internet). The aim of the project is to examine whether the hypothesis of the extended mind can be used to construct an evolutionary account of cognitive artifacts. Specifically, the project aims at providing, within the extended mind framework, (i) evolutionary explanations of the history of cognitive artifacts, and (ii) evolutionary theories of the functions of these artifacts.
This research project is part of the program Things That Make Us Smart: Cognitive Artifacts and Extended Minds, sponsored by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), and coordinated by prof.dr.ir. Anthonie Meijers.
Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
The PhD student is expected to do both supervised and unsupervised research, write a PhD thesis and research papers on philosophical issues regarding technology, and to participate in the PhD program of the Dutch-Flemish Network for Philosophy of Science and Technology. A small part of the work will involve teaching, in courses offered by the Philosophy section.
Qualifications:
- Your prior studies and current interests prepare you to do research on and write a thesis on philosophical issues related to technology.
- In particular, you have a degree in philosophy. Preferred areas of expertise include philosophy of biology, philosophy of technology, philosophy of mind, and/or epistemology. For V39.439-1a proven interest in engineering is a strong recommendation.
- You aspire to further academic development, you possess excellent analytical skills and you know how to make contact outside your immediate working environment (including internationally).
- You must have sufficient knowledge of the English language, proved by an IELTS certificate with a minimum score of 7. Knowledge of Dutch is not (initially) required.
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers
Organization
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
Department of Technology Management
The Department of Technology Management (TM) is a leading school in the area of industrial engineering and management science as well as innovation sciences. TM"s mission is closely tied to its pioneering work in developing an engineering perspective on business processes as well as its interdisciplinary research on transitions in societies in relation to technical changes. At the heart of our academic philosophy is the synergy between research and teaching. Moreover, TM is a decidedly small-scale department in which scholars and students together with practitioners work on critical problems at the interface of engineering, management, innovation, and human behavior. TM offers two BSc and four MSc programmes and contributes to several other educational programmes of the TU/e.
Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 jaar
Maximum hours per week: 40
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
prof.dr.ir. A.W.M. Meijers
Telephone number: 31(0)402472026
Or ir. M.E.M. Roelands
Telephone number: 31(0)402474886
E-mail address: pz@tue.nl
Or additional information can be obtained through the following link:Application
You can apply for this job before 26-04-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
Paviljoen R 1.23
Personnel Department
Postbus 513
5600 MB Eindhoven
Nederland
E-mail: pz@tue.nl
When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber V39.439.
