Departmental Lecturer in Philosophy of Physics

Location: Stephen A Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford OX2 6GG

The Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, in association with Pembroke College, wishes to appoint a Departmental Lecturer in Philosophy of Physics to cover the teaching and other duties of a permanent postholder during a period of externally-funded research leave. This post is for a fixed term of 12 months and will commence on 1 October 2026.

The person appointed will be expected to be able to deliver lectures in Philosophy of Physics to undergraduates, and to provide graduate teaching (classes or supervision) to masters students.  In addition, the appointed person will conduct research in Philosophy of Physics, and will undertake administration for the Faculty and the College including, but not limited to, participating in the annual admissions exercises and acting as assessor for undergraduate and graduate examinations.

For the college, as well as providing tutorials in the undergraduate philosophy of physics modules the successful candidate will be able to provide undergraduate small group teaching (classes and/or tutorials) across a further range of areas in theoretical philosophy. These are, for first year students: introductory logic and intermediate logic (i.e. ‘Philosophical Topics in Logic and Probability’), and introductory metaphysics and epistemology (the ‘General Philosophy’ module). For higher year undergraduates, these are: Knowledge and Reality (a metaphysics and epistemology module studied in second or third year) and general philosophy of science. Ability to provide tutorial teaching in a further range of areas within theoretical philosophy may be an advantage, but is not essential. The successful candidate will also participate in the organising of undergraduate studies in Philosophy at the College (including admissions) and act as an adviser to graduate students at the College.

The successful candidate should normally have received the degree of PhD or DPhil in Philosophy, or a closely related discipline, with an area of specialisation in philosophy of physics, or at least have submitted a completed doctoral dissertation for examination by the closing date for applications to this post;

Candidates must have an outstanding research record appropriate to the stage of their career with evidence of, or evidence of potential for producing, significant research in the area of Philosophy of Physics. They must provide evidence of the ability to provide excellent teaching and must have the ability and willingness to assume pastoral responsibilities associated with undergraduate and graduate teaching, and to act as an assessor at graduate and undergraduate level.

Applications must be made online via the Oxford University jobs website (vacancy ID: 186018) where further particulars for the post are available. Applicants will be required to upload a CV and supporting statement as part of their online application. To apply for this post and for further details, including the job description and selection criteria, please access the link below:

The deadline for all applications is 12.00 noon (UK time) on 18 May 2026. Candidates should ask their referees to submit reference letters directly to jobs@philosophy.ox.ac.uk no later than this date.

Interviews are expected to take place during week commencing 8 June 2026.

The University of Oxford is an equal opportunities employer.

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