News

Call for Expressions of Interest
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026
Philosophy of Physics Group – Warsaw University of Technology

The Philosophy of Physics Group at the Warsaw University of Technology (WUT) invites expressions of interest from strong candidates wishing to apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA PF 2026), with WUT as the host institution.

The MSCA PF is one of the most competitive and prestigious funding schemes in Europe, supporting excellent researchers through international mobility and advanced training. The 2026 call is expected to open on 9 April 2026 with a deadline on 9 September 2026.

Research environment

The Philosophy of Physics Group at WUT conducts research at the interface of philosophy and fundamental physics, with a strong emphasis on conceptual and foundational issues. Current areas of expertise include:

• philosophy of quantum mechanics;
• philosophy of spacetime physics;
• philosophy of cosmology and quantum gravity;
• metaphysics of science.

Members of the group have experience in developing and implementing large-scale research projects, including the currently ongoing National Science Centre (NCN) project “A Machian Framework for Quantum Physics.”

What we offer

• close scientific supervision and mentoring throughout the MSCA application process;
• integration into an active and internationally connected research group within a major technical university, with opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration;
• a supportive and focused research environment;
• institutional support for grant preparation and project implementation.

What we are looking for

We are interested in candidates with a strong track record and a clear research profile in philosophy of physics or closely related areas. Proposals should align with, or be meaningfully connected to, the group’s research themes.

Both European Fellowships (EF) and Global Fellowships (GF) are welcome.

Application procedure

Interested candidates should submit the following documents (in English) as a single PDF file:

• a CV (including publication list);
• a project outline (max. 4 pages), indicating whether the application is intended for an EF or GF.

Applications should be sent to: antonio.vassallo@pw.edu.pl

Deadline for expressions of interest: 31 May 2026.
Selected candidates will be notified by mid-June 2026.

Additional information

• MSCA PF 2026 call: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/calls/msca-postdoctoral-fellowships-2026
• Philosophy of Physics Group (WUT): https://ans.pw.edu.pl/Nauka/Zespoly-badawcze/Philosophy-of-Physics-Group

For informal inquiries, please contact: antonio.vassallo@pw.edu.pl

We are pleased to announce that the paper “Shape Space as a Conceptual Space” by Antonio Vassallo has been published open access in Synthese. You can read the full article here.

This paper argues that the configuration space central to pure shape dynamics—shape space—should be understood not as a physical arena but as a conceptual space. Drawing on insights from the philosophy of cognitive science, the article examines how this reinterpretation addresses longstanding objections to relationalism and provides a fresh epistemic framework for understanding timeless, background-independent physics. Special attention is given to how this perspective helps reconcile the relationalist ontology with the intelligibility of physical evolution.

The Warsaw University of Technology has published a short feature on the research project and its investigation into the relational foundations of physics.

Read the article (in Polish) here.

The Department of Philosophy and Ethics in Administration at Warsaw University of Technology invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher (assistant professor) position within the research project “A Machian Framework for Quantum Physics,” led by Dr. hab. Antonio Vassallo and funded by the National Science Center (OPUS-25 grant).

Position Details:

• Duration: 30 months, full-time (40 hours/week)
• Location: Warsaw, Poland

About the Project: The project applies the theoretical framework of Pure Shape Dynamics and a metaphysics of self-subsisting structures to develop a new approach to understanding quantum physics. The goal is to investigate how quantum properties and spacetime may emerge from deeper, purely relational structures, without relying on background space and time.

Full project description available here: https://ssqg.ans.pw.edu.pl/en/index.php/the-project-in-detail/.

Expectations: The successful candidate will work closely with the Principal Investigator to develop relational quantum models and their metaphysical interpretations. The candidate will also work within the research environment of the Philosophy of Physics Group at Warsaw University of Technology. More about the group: https://ans.pw.edu.pl/Nauka/Zespoly-badawcze/Philosophy-of-Physics-Group. Responsibilities include co-authoring publications in peer-reviewed journals, participating in international conferences and workshops, and contributing to the project’s organizational activities.

Eligibility Requirements:

• PhD in philosophy or physics (awarded no earlier than 7 years before January 1, 2025; extensions possible under certain conditions)
• Strong background in philosophy of physics, metaphysics, or foundations of physics
• Familiarity with relationalism, Pure Shape Dynamics, and the metaphysics of quantum physics is an asset
• Fluent English
• Fulfillment of NCN postdoc employment conditions (details in full description)

Benefits:

• Attractive remuneration and working conditions
• Stimulating, supportive research environment
• Yearly allowance for international conferences and research visits
• Access to additional health and family allowances

Application Deadline: May 9, 2025

For full details on the position, eligibility, and application procedure, visit: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/334390

Informal inquiries are welcome at: antonio.vassallo@pw.edu.pl

The Department of Philosophy and Ethics in Administration offers a unique and stimulating research environment—a cohesive, dynamic, and well-managed team with a strong commitment to international collaboration. It is a place where philosophy meets the natural and technical sciences, drawing inspiration from their achievements. We offer flexible research conditions, allowing for individual academic development and intellectual freedom. Despite our excellent evaluation results, we do not engage in a competitive “publish-or-perish” culture—our focus remains on high-quality research and a creative academic atmosphere. Our work is widely published in top-tier journals, and our projects are supported by prestigious national and international research grants. The department’s modern and interdisciplinary character stems from our research areas, which bridge philosophy, mathematics, physics, artificial intelligence, formal ontology, argumentation theory, and ethos theory. We maintain daily collaboration with scientists and engineers, fostering intellectual exchange between these traditionally distinct academic cultures. We also cherish the classical foundations of philosophy, upholding its commitment to wisdom and its essential social role. If you are looking for an opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research at Poland’s leading technical university, where philosophy flourishes in an interdisciplinary environment and where curiosity and understanding are at the core of academic work, we warmly invite you to join us!