PhD Scholarship in Philosophy
Job No.: 664603
Location: Clayton campus
Employment Type: Full-time
Duration: 3-year and 6-month fixed-term appointment
Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a Research Living Allowance, at current value of $35,013AUD per annum 2024 full-time rate (tax-free stipend), indexed plus allowances as per RTP stipend scholarship conditions at: www.monash.edu/graduate-research/study/scholarships/scholarship-policy-and-procedures. A tuition fee scholarship and Single Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) will be provided for a successful international awardee.
The Opportunity
This PhD scholarship is funded as an important part of an ARC funded project (The Dreamscape Project: Phenomenology and Neurophysiology of Dreams), conducted by Dr Jennifer Windt, Professor Naotsugu Tsuchiya, and Dr Thomas Andrillon.
The Dreamscape Project aims to discover the neural basis of dreaming. Building on the world’s largest database of sleep electroencephalograms (EEG) and associated dream reports, the project applies cutting-edge analyses of neural activity to resolve why each night, healthy adults alternate between unconscious sleep and vivid dreams. The results promise to shed light on the mystery of dreaming and help locate consciousness in the physical world.
The successful applicant will join the research team and contribute to the wider project. In particular, the candidate will conduct an empirical study in which online participants will be asked to score dream reports from the database according to instructions that will be developed by the applicant together with Dr Windt. This aim of the study is to operationalise and refine definitions of dreaming and other sleep-related experiences. The candidate will work on all aspects of the study, including the instructions, participant recruitment and data collection, data analysis, writing up, and coordinating exchanges with expert advisors and database contributors. The further details of the PhD project are open to negotiation, but it may involve further work on subjective (reports) and objective data within the database.
Undertaking this PhD as part of a larger project has several advantages. First, the successful candidate will be integrated into an already successful research agenda that has been funded by the Australian Research Council and will have access to funding to support travel and conference attendance. Second, the candidate will benefit from expert supervision from research leaders in philosophy and psychology, and from entering a PhD with a pre-existing structure. The candidate will also be part of a vibrant community at the Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, Monash Philosophy Department, and t-Lab headed by Professor Tsuchiya, as well as part of a network of international sleep and dream researchers who have worked on and/or contributed to the database. Finally, the successful candidate will benefit from being part of outcomes of the research, which may include co-authored publications (where the candidate’s contributions will be recognised through co-authorship), funded symposia, school-engagement exercises, and future grant applications.
Monash University is the largest university in Australia and regularly ranks in the top 100 universities worldwide. Monash has six globally networked campuses and international alliances in Europe and Asia. The applicant will be based at the Clayton campus in Melbourne. We have a strong and supportive research culture, led by internationally recognised scholars successful in attracting national and international competitive funding.
Candidate Requirements
The successful applicant will have an excellent academic track record in philosophy of mind, cognitive neuroscience, and/or psychology, especially on topics related to sleep, dreaming, and first-person reports. Competence in both quantitative and qualitative research methods as well as experience programing psychological tasks and data analysis are highly desirable.
In its assessment, the selection committee will prioritise applicants who hold an Australian (or equivalent international) Honour’s or Master’s degree (both in a relevant field), with a significant research component and with first-class honours/H1 awarded.
Details of eligibility requirements, including English-language proficiency skills, to undertake a PhD in the Faculty of Arts are available at www.monash.edu/arts/graduate_research/how-to-apply. Applicants should ensure they familiarise themselves with these requirements before deciding whether they should apply.
Scholarship holders must be enrolled full-time and on campus. Please note: applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered.
The successful applicant will be expected to enrol by September 2024. However, there may be some flexibility as to the date of commencement.
Submit an Expression of Interest
EOIs shall comprise:
- A cover letter that includes a brief statement of the applicant’s suitability
- A brief research proposal not exceeding 1000 words in length that fits within the broad project aims and objectives, and demonstrates some understanding of the area of research
- A curriculum vitae, including a list of any published works, conference presentations and relevant work experience
- A full statement of academic records, degree certificates and official grading system (if available), supported by scanned copies of relevant certified documentation
- English language proficiency test results (if applicable)
- Names and contact details of 2 academic referees
- Copy of your current passport (if available)
- Once you have discussed your EOI with (Jennifer Windt), please submit your Expression of Interest Form and indicate that you are applying for a “Special Scholarship Scheme – PhD Scholarship in Philosophy”.
Enquiries
Jennifer Windt, Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies (M3CS), jennifer.windt@monash.edu
Closing Date
Sunday 19 May 2024, 11:55pm AEST
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