Job Advertisement: Three to Four Year Postdoctoral Position at Vrije
Universiteit Brussel with Prof. dr. Steffen Ducheyne, Research Project:
‘An Integrated Study of Isaac Newton’s Methods’


Deadline: 8 November 2020


PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The postdoctoral research project ‘An Integrated Study of Isaac
Newton’s Methods’ will focus on the potential interaction between the
different methods which Isaac Newton used in his work. Newton is often
celebrated as one of the most important physicists in the history of
science. However, Newton was not only an innovative physicist and
mathematician, he also developed new methodological instruments. Ever since
I.B. Cohen’s seminal study The Newtonian Revolution, scholarly attention
has been devoted to Newton’s natural philosophical methods, and
especially to his so-called ‘Principia-style’ methodology. More
recently, scholars including Raquel Delgado-Moreira, Rob Iliffe, Mordechai
Feingold and Jed Z. Buchwald, and William R. Newman have unearthed and
studied the methods on which Newton relied in his chronological work, in
his work on Church history, in his prophetical work, and in his alchemical
work. As it stands, we lack a comprehensive historical and systematic
analysis of Newton’s methods, and we do not fully know whether the
different methods which Newton pursued in different areas of research
interacted or not. This research project will provide a integrated study of
Newton’s methods, which means that the development of the methods which
he used in different areas of research will be studied jointly so that
claims can be developed about their potential interaction. The postdoctoral
researcher will work closely with the supervisor, Prof. dr. Steffen
Ducheyne, and with a doctoral student who is currently preparing a PhD on
the development of Newton’s methods in his optical work. The research
areas that will be studied (chronology, alchemy, Church History, prophesy,
etc.) will depend on the researcher’s expertise. The duration of the
research project and the salary will depend on the seniority of the
candidate.


JOB PROFILE AND REQUIREMENTS

 

* The candidate has a strong interest in the history of science, research
methods, Isaac Newton, and he or she has expertise that is relevant to the
research topic.

* The candidate has published in international journals and he or she has
presented his or her research at international conferences.

* The candidate holds a PhD degree.

* The candidate is able to independently read and translate Latin and has
excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

* The candidate is an enthusiastic team player, self-propelling and
committed to becoming an active member of the Centre for Logic and
Philosophy Science.

* The candidate is willing to travel abroad.

* Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

 

HOW TO APPLY

 

Applications are welcomed in English. Please send:


(1) a cover letter describing your interest in and suitability for this
postdoctoral fellowship;
(2) a full curriculum vitae (including a. a copy of your PhD diploma, b. an
copy of your PhD dissertation, and c. one or two (un)published writing
samples); and

(3) two letters of recommendation

to steffen.ducheyne(AT)vub.be before Sunday 8 November 2020. Short-listed
candidates will be interviewed (online, if necessary). For more
information, please contact Prof. dr. Steffen Ducheyne.