PhD student in Philosophy of Art on Architectural Theory (EXPIRED)

The Centre for Metaphysics and the Philosophy of Culture of KU Leuven's Institute of Philosophy and the Faculty of Architecture of KU Leuven welcome applicants for one fully-funded two-year PhD-Fellowship, renewable for a second period of two years, in Philosophy of Art on Architectural Theory The PhD-fellow will work in the research context of the Centre for Metaphysics and the Philosophy of Culture (KU Leuven's Institute of Philosophy) and the research group Architectural Cultures of the Recent Past (KU Leuven's Faculty of Architecture).

Project

The project for which the funding is available aims to develop an analysis of the connection between religious and philosophical concepts and the theoretical discourse on architectural modernism from the period 1945-1970. The project situates itself on the crossroads between intellectual/art history, philosophy and theology. It has both a historiographical and a conceptual aim.  The fellowship is part of the project Apocryphal and Apostolic Modernism. Forgotten Connections between religion and architectural modernism, 1945-1970 (for more information, see http://hiw.kuleuven.be/ned/onderzoek/ApocryphalandApostolicModernism), funded by the Research Fund KU Leuven. The successful applicant will write a PhD-dissertation within the overarching theme of aesthetics and architectural theory. The project is chaired by Prof. Stéphane Symons and by Prof. Rajesh Heynickx. Start date: 1 February 2015 or as soon as possible.

Profile

We are looking for a candidate with the following qualifications:

• The motivation to pursue creative work in aesthetics and architectural theory;
• An explicit interest in the following research questions; In what way has religious thinking, mostly of Catholic origin, influenced the theoretical discourse on architectural modernism? and In what way did non-religious, philosophical and aesthetic concepts influence the theoretical discourse on religious architecture?
• An MA (or equivalent) in Philosophy, Art History, Intellectual History, Cultural History, Architecture or Theology and academic distinction;
• The ability to present research results at conferences, and to publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• The ability to play an active role in the research group (including its seminars);
• An excellent command of English; proficiency in French and/or German; a willingness to learn Dutch is a plus;

Enthusiastic and cooperative persons meeting these criteria are kindly invited to apply online according to the instructions given at http://www.kuleuven.be/vacatures. Include a cover letter, a CV, the names of two referees whom we might approach prior to appointment, and a sample piece of writing not exceeding 12.000 words (e.g. an MA thesis chapter). The deadline for applications is 30 November 2014. We will hold interviews with selected candidates soon thereafter. In preparation of the interview selected candidates will be given a short research assignment to assess their research skills.

Offer

The successful candidate will be required to carry out minor educational responsibilities and provide minor research assistance to both supervisors. S/he will become part of a dynamic and young group of scholars consisting of 8 professors, 4 postdoctoral fellows and twenty PhD students. The working language is English. The recipient of the fellowship is expected to live in Leuven or its immediate vicinity (Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent) and to work from the office.