37.3203, Jobs: Philosophy of Language, Semantics: Postdoctoral Researcher, Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Tue Oct 6 13:05:02 UTC 2026

LINGUIST List: Vol-37-3203. Tue Oct 06 2026. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 37.3203, Jobs: Philosophy of Language, Semantics: Postdoctoral Researcher, Ruhr-Universität Bochum

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Date: 06-Oct-2026
From: Kristina Liefke [Kristina.Liefke at ruhr-uni-bochum.de]
Subject: Philosophy of Language, Semantics: Postdoctoral Researcher, Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Job Location: Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Web Address: https://www.pe.rub.de/philosophie/ii/
Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher
Job Rank: Post Doc

Minimum Education: PhD

Specialty Areas: Philosophy of Language; Semantics

Other Specialties: experimental semantics/philosophy of language &
philosophy of mind
Description:
Faculty of Philosophy and Educational Research:  Department of
Philosophy II, Philosophy of Information and Communication  
In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week
= 100%) 01.01.2027, we are looking for a
Postdoctoral researcher (m/f/x) in experimental semantics/philosophy
of language & philosophy of mind
The Collaborative Research Center “Episodic Memory” (CRC 1844) is an
interdisciplinary consortium consisting of researchers (m/f/x) from
philosophy, psychology, and (computational) neuroscience. The basis
for our research is the Scenario Construction Framework which
conceptualizes scenarios as mental simulations of past episodes,
constructed from episodic memory traces and semantic information.
As a postdoctoral researcher (m/f/x) in project A17 ("The language of
scenarios"), you will study the similarities and differences between
remembering and imagining, and between memory and imagination reports.
You will prepare and carry out experimental studies on linguistic
markers for memory/remembering, and analyze and describe the
philosophical import of study results.
Your tasks:
 - Use tools from experimental semantics/philosophy and the philosophy
of language for the analysis of mental states (remembering, imagining)
 - Study the similarities and differences between the contents of
memories and imaginings, and between memory and imagination reports
 - Apply findings to issues in contemporary philosophy of memory (esp.
the debate about whether remembering is continuous with imagining)
 - (Co-)Author and publish articles on the project theme
 - Collaborate with the other members of the project team, and with
researchers in other CRC projects (in part from other disciplines)
 - Present project results at international conferences and workshops
 - Contribute to the organization and scientific content of
project-related events
Your Profile:
 - PhD in philosophy or linguistics
 - Expertise in experimental philosophy or experimental linguistics
(or strong willingness to acquire this expertise)
 - Background in semantics or philosophy of language
 - Background (or at least interest) in philosophy of mind
 - Publication record in international journals and volumes
 - Willingness to dive into new research topics, and to engage with
work in other disciplines
Please submit the following documents as part of your application:
 - CV
 - Letter of motivation
 - A writing sample that reflects your approach/methods
 - Contact information of 2 references
We Offer:
 - Challenging and varied tasks with a high level of independence
 - Collaboration in a committed and appreciative team
 - Extensive training and professional development opportunities
 - Employment at one of the largest universities in Germany within the
University Alliance Ruhr
 - Support in combining family life and work (including childcare
arrangements/holiday offers/mobile playroom)
 - Work in one of the leading, interdisciplinary research consortia on
episodic memory
 - Frequent seminars, visitors, workshops, and other scientific events
 - Funding for participation in international conferences and
workshops
Further Information:
The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the
Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements
are met, the employee will receive pay grade E13 TV-L.
Further information can be found at https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/
(in German).
The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.
If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no
teaching obligation.
***The advertised position is conditional on a final positive funding
decision by the DFG Senate in late November. *** To familiarize
themselves with the kind of work we expect to do in the project,
candidates are referred to Liefke’s “Just simulating? Linguistic
support for continuism about remembering and imagining”
[https://doi.org/10.1007/s13164-024-00751-y] and to Rosina and
Liefke’s “Experientiality markers in memory reports: A
semantics-pragmatics puzzle”
[https://doi.org/10.3765/elm.3.5815].  RUB sees itself as a university
with an international presence. The campus languages are German and
English. Competence in at least one of the two languages and the
willingness to learn the other are a prerequisite. RUB provides
corresponding free courses for employees.   German language courses
are offered by the University Language Center (ZFA) in the field of
German as a Foreign Language (DaF).
https://www.daf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/daf/mitarbeitende/index.html.en  The
Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection
interviews. At the request of a candidate (m/f/x), it will ensure its
participation in the entire procedure. Please contact wpr at rub.de.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research
universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A
highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across
the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To
create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is
Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s declared aim.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal
opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment
composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of
individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional
areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications
from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be
given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male
candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most
welcome.
Contact persons for further information:
Kristina Liefke Tel.: +49 234 32 23237 
Christiane Dahl Tel.: +49 234 32 26739
Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other
application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be
reimbursed.
We look forward to receiving your application via our online
application portal by 2026-10-19. Please make sure to mention the
reference number ANR 6192.

Application Deadline: 19-Oct-2026
Mailing Address for Applications:
        Germany
Web Address for Applications:
https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/c88d2ddff8d9f8c8a9d7776c2529e1ebdb31482b?ref=homepage
Application Instructions:
Please submit your application via our online application portal:
https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/c88d2ddff8d9f8c8a9d7776c2529e1ebdb31482b?ref=homepage
Contact Information:
        Kristina Liefke
        Email: d3230e0_ufej0s5i5k_1-0 at jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de

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