PhD Position in Philosophy: Late Scholastic Transformation of Hylomorphism at KU Leuven KU Leuven in Belgium

KU Leuven’s Institute of Philosophy is offering a fully funded 4-year PhD position as part of the ERC-funded TRANSFORM project, titled “The Late Scholastic Transformation of Hylomorphism. Philosophical Discussions of Form and Matter in Context, 1400-1600.” The project, directed by Prof. Russell Friedman, investigates the evolution of hylomorphic theories—debates about form and matter—during the 15th and 16th centuries and their influence on 17th-century philosophical thought.

The successful candidate will conduct independent doctoral research on topics such as the actuality and dimensionality of prime matter, corpuscularianism, and the causality of substantial form. The dissertation may focus on the development of hylomorphic theory in Italy or the transfer of these theories to the Iberian Peninsula. The position involves active participation in the TRANSFORM team, organizing and attending seminars, workshops, and conferences, and engaging with the De Wulf-Mansion Centre for Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance Studies. The working language is English.

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Philosophy (or equivalent with proven philosophical training), an excellent academic record, and meet the KU Leuven Institute of Philosophy’s doctoral admission requirements. A strong command of later-medieval scholastic Latin is essential. Additional desirable skills include later-medieval Latin paleography, reading knowledge of French, German, Italian, and/or Spanish, and experience with database or website management. The ability to work collaboratively and focus on the project topic is important.

The position offers a standard doctoral fellowship with salary, social and health benefits, office space, research budget, and opportunities for international conferences and networking. The application requires a short cover letter, CV, transcripts, English proficiency test results (if applicable), and a motivational statement (max. 1 page). Applications must be submitted via the KU Leuven online application tool by 6 April 2026, 23:59 CET. For academic enquiries, contact Prof. Russell Friedman at [email protected].

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of philosophy and historical scholarship, within a collaborative and internationally recognized research environment.