Postdoctoral Researcher - Understanding: Between Contents and Phenomena (SNSF Starting Grant), 4-year position

The Department of Philosophy at the University of Zurich is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the SNSF-funded project “Understanding: Between Contents and Phenomena” directed by Prof. Miloud Belkoniene.

Project description:

The project “Understanding: Between Contents and Phenomena” draws on tools from the philosophy of language, the philosophy of science, epistemology and moral philosophy to investigate the relationships between linguistic, empirical and moral understanding in light of the capacities that are responsible for their achievement. One of the project's main objectives is to show that the manner in which representations, such as explanations, must be grasped to achieve an understanding of certain phenomena depends on the very nature of the phenomena that these representations depict. In particular, that the cognitive engagement with representations required to understand empirical phenomena differs significantly from that required to understand normative phenomena, such as moral phenomena.

A full description of the project can be found at:www.philosophie.uzh.ch

Your responsibilities

• Carrying out and publishing research on some of the project's main hypotheses. Please note that any of the three subprojects of the project can, in principle, be the focus of the postdoctoral researcher to be hired.
• Taking an active part in the research group's research activities (reseach colloquium, workshops and conference organization, editorial projects)

Your profile

• PhD in Philosophy, preferably with a specialization in Epistemology, Philosophy of Language or Philoso-phy of Science (The successful candidate is expected to have obtained their PhD by the time they take up the position)
• Strong publication record demonstrating scientific productivity
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

Information on your application

Please submit a single PDF containing the following documents by 06.10.2026

• Cover letter
• CV
• A short research proposal describing the research that the candidate plans to carry out in the next 4 years (2000 words max)
• A sample of written work (8000 words max). This may be a part of a PhD thesis

Wir bieten

• Work-Life Balance: Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing), Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH
• Learning and Development: Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich, Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich
• Food: Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias, Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution
• Healthcare: Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ, Free seasonal flu vaccinations, Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower
• Discounts: Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space, Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions, Special conditions on hotel reservations
• Conditions of Employment: Policies of the UZH, Most UZH staff are employed according to public law
• International Services: Support for people from outside Switzerland
• Campuses: Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren, Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg