The Ca’ Foscari University of Venice,
ERC Project “EarlyModernCosmology”
The ERC research endeavor, “Institutions and Metaphysics of Cosmology in the Epistemic Networks of Seventeenth-Century Europe,” at the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice is presently looking for
Two Assistant Professors (Non-Tenure Track) / Ricercatori (RTD-A)
with an outstanding scholarly profile in one of the following research areas of the ERC endeavor:
- Early-Modern History of Science: Cosmology and related sciences in the context of the confessionalization of European knowledge institutions;
- Early-Modern Institutional History: Early-modern institutional history of ideas and/or epistemic webs in their socio-cultural and political entanglements;
- Political Epistemology: Perspectives in historical epistemology on science, religion and ideology.
The positions will also be connected with part-time teaching duties in the history, philosophy and logic of science (one module of 30 hours per year).
Deadline: February 19, 2018 at 12:00 (Venice time)
Links:
http://intra.unive.it/plapps/bandi/common/showcat.pl?categoria=pdrd&descrizione=Ricercatore+Universitario%20a%20tempo%20determinato
Department of Philosophy and Cultural Heritage, Ca’ Fosacri University, positions in history of science (11/C2 - M-STO/05) and philosophy of science (11/C2 - M-FIL/02).
The calls in English can be downloaded at the following links:
M-FIL/02 http://intra.unive.it/plapps/bandi/common/showbando?id=28209
M-STO/05 http://intra.unive.it/plapps/bandi/common/showbando?id=28208
Research endeavor
“Institutions and Metaphysics of Cosmology in the Epistemic Networks of Seventeenth-Century Europe”, led by the historian of early modern science, Pietro Daniel Omodeo, is a comparative inquiry of early-modern cosmologies and related scientific debates in their institutional, political, religious and ideological settings. Science is investigated as a contested field of confessional struggles for cultural hegemony, shaped and transformed through its circulation within international scholarly and academic networks. During early Modernity the rise of stabilized institutional networks—such as the northern European universities, Jesuit colleges, and scholarly réseaux gravitating around novel scientific academies—produced the continuous restructuring of scientific communities as well as the redistribution of symbolic credit and social and economic means. This scholarly endeavor aims at an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of epistemic networks and alliances; vice versa, their concrete reconstruction will provide materials for a better understanding of the mechanisms of scientific transactions in general and their cultural-political rootedness. The challenging originality of the project rests both on its overarching scope—thematic, geographical, and geopolitical—and the methodology. It opens up a perspective on the history of science informed by political-epistemological views on the dynamic entanglements of society, culture, and politics. Because this is a comparative enquiry in the political and epistemological history of science, scholars from various backgrounds, such as the cultural history of science, early modern studies, social studies of science, philosophy of science and political epistemology, are welcome to apply.
Research profile of the candidates
We seek scholars with a strong research commitment, an outstanding portfolio of international publications, and a proven teaching record in the field associated with the post. The candidates preferably hold a PhD degree in the history of science, institutional history, cultural history, history of philosophy, philosophy of science and related fields.
Preference will be accorded to candidates with a research agenda relevant to at least one of the abovementioned three areas of inquiry.
We look forward to receiving applications from scholars of all nationalities. Preference will be given to applicants who have published substantial contributions to a field of interest to the ERC project.
Submission
The candidates are invited to include the following documents in their application:
- a letter of motivation,
- Curriculum Vitae with list of publications,
- two letters of reference,
- a digital copy of the applicant’s PhD thesis in the form of a PDF,
- a research project*,
- one journal or chapter-length writing sample*.
(*) not mandatory
For detailed instructions and additional documentation, needed for administrative reasons, please see the call on the University’s official website.
Applications should be submitted in English until February 19, 2018, at 12:00 (Venice time); the interviews will also take place in English.
Tasks
The researchers are expected to conduct their research in Venice. They will collaborate with fellow team members toward project goals and develop an original and independent research project within the ERC endeavor.
Further responsibilities include:
- contributing to the research in one of the project areas in a substantial manner,
- co-organizing conferences and editing or co-editing the proceedings,
- helping to tutor PhD students,
- academic teaching (one class per year),
- regularly attending the meetings of the research group,
- contributing to its activities (e.g., workshops, symposia and conference sessions),
- presenting and discussing their research at the meetings of the ERC endeavor.
- contributing to the success of the endeavor with academic publications,
- presenting at international conferences.
We offer
a three-year academic position at a prestigious university in an exceptional cultural setting,
a unique early career opportunity,
a unique research experience in the framework of a stimulating international environment.
Benefits
Travel support for research as well as for domestic and international conferences (2-3 per year).
Contact information for the application
For any questions do not hesitate to contact us:
ERC project manager, Silvia Bellacicco: [log in to unmask]
Administrative Secretary (Department of Philosophy and Cultural Heritage): [log in to unmask]
For enquiries relative to the administrative procedures: [log in to unmask]
ERC Principal Investigator, Pietro Daniel Omodeo: [log in to unmask]
