PhD Scholarship in Philosophy and/or Social Studies of Modelling Technical University of Munich in Germany

Technische Universität München (TUM), School of Social Sciences and Technology, is offering a fully funded 36-month PhD scholarship in Philosophy and/or Social Studies of Modelling. The position is embedded in the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network Towards Sustainable Computational Fluid Dynamics (FairCFD), coordinated by the Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, and hosted at the Chair for Anthropology of Science & Technology in collaboration with the Chair for the Philosophy and History of Science and Technology.

This PhD project is designed for a candidate with a strong background in the philosophy and/or social studies of science and technology, especially in the study of modelling, data-intensive research, and scientific practice. The successful applicant will examine how computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling can become more sustainable in a broad sense, including environmental, social, ethical, and epistemic dimensions. The research focuses on frugality, sustainability metrics, research inequity, and epistemic injustice across the FairCFD network, including academic and industrial partners.

The project is well suited to someone interested in Science and Technology Studies (STS), philosophy of science in practice, anthropology of science and technology, and qualitative research methods. The doctoral work will use ethnographic fieldwork, participant observation, interviewing, and literature review to study modelling practices within their institutional, social, and epistemic contexts. The candidate will also engage with the broader intellectual and technological environments of the 14 fluid dynamics PhD projects in the network.

The position offers an interdisciplinary, international, and impact-oriented setting at TUM, within one of Europe’s largest STS communities. The department provides a lively research environment with seminars, symposia, visiting researchers, and close collaborations with other TUM units and leading HPS/STS centres. The successful candidate will contribute to the intellectual life of the department, take part in project meetings and events, and help support training and outreach activities.

Funding is provided for 36 months under MSCA conditions, including living and mobility allowances and a family allowance where applicable. The post is open internationally, subject to MSCA mobility rules: candidates must not have spent more than 12 months in Germany during the 36 months before the start date. The preferred starting date is November 2026 or shortly thereafter. Applications are due on 11 September 2026.

Applicants should have Master’s-level training or equivalent experience in philosophy, history and/or social studies of science or a related field, together with an interest in scientific models and/or data-intensive methods, strong communication skills, and the ability to work in a cross-cultural, interdisciplinary environment. Very good English is required; German or French is helpful but not essential.

To apply, candidates should use the project website and follow the instructions in the official advert. The position is a full-time, fixed-term PhD opening based in Munich, Germany, within the TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology.