A full-time PhD Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship (MQRES) is available for a suitably qualified prospective PhD candidate in the Department of Philosophy
Project title: Information and self-organisation in living systems, reference number 2014110 Closing date: 1st June 2014 Project description: The PhD project is part of a larger collaborative project on the causal foundation of biological information funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation and jointly hosted by Macquarie University and University of Sydney. The project aims to develop a conception of biological information general enough to capture information-processing in gene regulatory networks, epigenetics, and environmental inputs in development, and to incorporate the emergence of de novo information from processes of self-organisation. This unification will vindicate the idea that biological systems are distinctive amongst physical systems in being informed systems, without subscribing to a narrow gene-centric view of biological information. This PhD project will be under the supervision of Dr Karola Stotz, but the candidate will have access to the whole research team for additional expertise. It will focus on creation of de novo information in biological systems through processes of self-organisation. It may also look at the role of self-organisation in evolutionary processes. It will draw on recent developments in the philosophical literature on causation and information, as well as on the literature on self-organisation in philosophy of science and a range of sciences. The project has the potential to make a substantial contribution to the philosophical understanding of self-organising processes and their significance across the sciences. The scholarship should preferably be taken up by the second semester 2014 Interested prospective candidates should contact Karola Stotz ( [email protected]) or Phone: 0450 224 228 for further information. The 2014 MQRES full-time stipend rate is $25,392 pa tax exempt for 3 years. Prospective PhD applicants should have completed the equivalent of Macquarie University’s Master of Research (MRes) degree, MPhil or other 2 year Masters degree with a major research component with excellent results. Refer to the HDR Entry Criteria<http://www.hdr.mq.edu.au/information_about/research_degrees/applications/entry_criteria>webpage for more information. To be eligible for a PhD scholarship applicants are expected to have a record of excellent academic performance, especially in the research Masters degree, and additional relevant research experience and/or peer-reviewed research activity, awards and/or prizes in line with the University’s scholarship rating guidelines. Refer to the HDR Scholarship Requirements<http://www.hdr.mq.edu.au/information_about/Scholarships/scholarship_requirements> webpage for more information. Applicants will need to complete a candidature/scholarship application form and arrange for two academic referee reports to be submitted to the Higher Degree Research Office. Refer to the HDR Applications<http://www.hdr.mq.edu.au/information_about/research_degrees/applications> webpage for further application instructions.Macquarie University will advise the successful applicant of entitlements at the time of scholarship offer. *Please quote the allocation number on your application* -- Karola Stotz TWCF Fellow Senior Lecturer Philosophy Department Macquarie University
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