T402-2025 - Research Assistant/ PhD student (all genders) - Philosophy - in the ERC Synergy Project “The Cultures of the Cryosphere”

TU Darmstadt stands for excellent and relevant science. We are playing a decisive role in shaping far-reaching processes of global change—from energy transition to artificial intelligence—through outstanding scientific knowledge and innovative academic programmes. We group our cutting-edge research into three fields: Energy and Environment, Information and Intelligence, Matter and Materials. We are a university with strong ties to the Frankfurt Rhine-Main metropolitan region and a very strong international focus. We are committed to European values and European integration.

The Institute of Philosophy invites applications for a research associate in the ERC Synergy Grant project “Cultures of the Cryosphere. Infrastructures, Politics and Futures of Artificial Cooling” (CultCryo).

CultCryo investigates the deep entanglement of modern life with artificial cold, examining how refrigeration, freezing, and cryopreservation have given rise to 'cryogenic cultures'—social formations dependent on cooling infrastructures across domains such as food supply, climate control, biomedicine, and computing. Based on historical, geographical, linguistic and ethnographic findings, CultCryo develops a philosophical analysis of cryogenic cultures across conceptual, normative, and cultural dimensions. The project started in September 2024 and will run for six years until August 2030. Further information can be found under: https://cryocultures.org/. 

The research consortium of the ERC project consists of four international research groups at the Technical University of Darmstadt, the University of Paderborn, the University of Duisburg-Essen, and the Australian National University Canberra, as well as three participating project partners at the University of Hamburg, the University of Halle-Wittenberg, and the Institute for Social-Ecological Research Frankfurt.

Your tasks in the project include:

1. Philosophical research primarily focused on one of the designated thematic areas:

• Conceptual history: The interrelation and change of concepts such as fertility, freshness, health, vitality, perishability, durability, preservation through cooling technologies; their roles in cultural practices, figures of thought and discourses related to nutrition and reproduction.
• Normativity: Ethical, value-theoretical, ecological, and biopolitical issues regarding the function and use of global cold chains, cold storages, and cryobanks in food industry or biomedicine; foundations, arguments, and criteria for their analysis, regulation, justification, and critique.
• Philosophy of technology: Cooling technologies as formative for 'cryogenic cultures' and related life-forms; embedding of values and practices in technological artefacts and infrastructures; interplay of technological and cultural constitution; possibility of their philosophical analysis and critique.

2. Presenting and publishing research findings; contributing to conferences, journal articles, and book chapters.

3. Participation in project events in the form of workshops, conferences, and excursions with international partners (including research trips to the USA, Asia, and Australia).

4. Intellectual participation in research discussions of the project and the Institute.

PhD thesis

This position offers the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in philosophy. We invite dissertation projects that are closely aligned with the themes of our project, while also welcoming independent research proposals that explore philosophical issues relevant to the project's topic. Please note that the funded working time (65%) is allocated to project-related tasks; any dissertation work beyond the project's scope is to be pursued alongside employment. In any case, the PhD thesis remains an individual qualification project with a clear philosophical profile.

• University Science Degree (Master/Diploma) in philosophy; or a closely related discipline with substantial philosophy coursework (additional coursework may be required).
• Experience or research interests in Philosophy of Technology, Science and Technology Studies, Ethics of Technology, Cultural Studies, Conceptual History, or Discourse Analysis.
• Proficient English language skills (C1) are required; German language skills are desirable, or a willingness to acquire them.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills; willingness to travel for project-related activities.

Technical University of Darmstadt offers varied and challenging assignments, freedom to work independently, the latest technologies, good collaboration between colleagues in partnership, needs-based training opportunities and customised personnel development.

Opportunity for further qualification (doctoral dissertation) is given. The fulfillment of the duties likewise enables the scientific qualifications of the candidate.

• Development and organisation – comprehensive in-house training offers, including the opportunity for continuing education and development;
• Annual leave/educational leave – 30 days annual leave (full-time employment) and 5 days educational leave;
• Sustainable and mobile – eligibility to free public transport in the state of Hesse with the LandesTicket Hessen (Hesse StateTicket) in accordance with the currently valid collective agreement, in addition to opportunities to working mobile at times;
• Fit and healthy – free of charge preventive medical check-ups and a wide-ranging subsidised sports programme;
• Work-life balance – flexible working time models, plus BGM (Betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement – University Health Management);
• Pension scheme – supplementary public service pension scheme (VBL) in accordance with the currently applicable regulations;
• University bicycle
• Family-friendliness/compatibility of family/care/career – (university-run) childcare services, child allowance (based on the collective agreement), childcare programmes during school holidays.

TU Darmstadt intends to increase the number of female employees and encourages female candidates to apply. In case of equal qualifications, applicants with a degree of disability of at least 50 or equal will be given preference. Remuneration is in accordance with the collective agreement for the Technical University of Darmstadt (TV - TU Darmstadt). Part-time employment is generally possible.

By submitting your application, you agree that your data may be stored and processed for the purpose of filling the vacancy. You can find our privacy policy on our webpage.

If you have any questions about the application, please reach out to our project manager Dr. Anne Timm (anne.timm@tu-darmstadt.de). For inquiries related to the position and its associated activities, please contact Prof. Dr. phil. Alexander Friedrich (friedrich@phil.tu-darmstadt.de).

Please include a brief outline (approx. 5 pages) of your dissertation project with your application documents, indicating its possible relevance to the project topic.