Post-Doc – Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin / Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter (m/w/d) im Projekt — Bamberg Mathematical Consciousness Science Initiative (BAMΞ)

The Bamberg Mathematical Consciousness Science Initiative (BAM ) at the Otto-Friedrich University of Bamberg invites applications for a

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Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d) (Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin/Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter (m/w/d) im Projekt) (100% of regular working hours; remuneration according to E13 TV-L)

fixed-term for 2 years. The position is in principle suitable for part-time employment under the conditions listed below.

The postdoctoral researcher will join an interdisciplinary community that works on foundational questions in consciousness science, and contribute to BAM ’s Next-Generation Theories of Consciousness Project.

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-Next-Generation Theories of Consciousness Project-

The Scientific Study of Consciousness, also known as Consciousness Science, is an interdisciplinary field that investigates how conscious experiences relate to the subject matter of the natural and

human sciences – most notably, the brain. The field aims to investigate the nature, mechanisms, correlates, and functions of consciousness, and how these relate to brain, body, environment, and culture.

To this end, consciousness research draws on empirical, conceptual, and theoretical methodologies from psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, philosophy, physics, computer science, and mathematics. Its central theoretical tools are Theories of Consciousness (ToCs), theoretical hypotheses of how “consciousness” and “the physical” relate. Theories of consciousness are meant to provide empirically testable answers to the field’s fundamental questions.

In recent years, a number of novel methodological research programmes have been developed or brought to fruition across the field’s sub-disciplines, including, among others:

1. New Introspective and Phenomenological Methodologies, in particular Micro-Phenomenology;

2. New Access to and Mapping of Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness, including both

psychedelic and meditative experiential states, in particular Minimal Phenomenal Experience questionnaires and LLM-assisted analysis of experiential reports;

3. Integrations of Insights from Contemplative Traditions and Practices, in particular of pure

awareness states, for example as part of the Minimal Phenomenal Experience Project and Computational Phenomenology;

4. Dynamical Systems Models and Measurement in cognitive science and neuroscience,

including (but not limited to) Active Inference approaches;

5. Mathematical and Structural Representations of Conscious Experiences, in particular Quality

Spaces, Phenomenal Spaces, Mathematical Phenomenology, Artificial Phenomenology, and research as part of a Structural Turn at large;

6. Novel Insights into Prediction and Testing of Theories of Consciousness from the Structured

Adversarial Collaboration Projects across theoretical, experimental, and social dimensions;

7. Novel Results Regarding Meta-Theoretical and Pragmatic Constraints for theories of

consciousness, such as those following the Unfolding Argument and other Hard Criteria for empirically viable theories of consciousness;

8. Novel Measurement Techniques and Measurement Theories, such as new Confidence- and

Meta-Cognition-Based Measures, refinements of PAS-Type Scales, and No-Cognition Paradigms;

9. New Conditions for Investigations in Consciousness Science posed by Artificial Intelligence

(AI), including Theory-Light and Theory-Heavy Approaches;

10. Newly Proposed Empirical Tests, Indicators, and Markers for Consciousness in Non-Human

Animals and AI and strategies to develop these, especially clinical markers, complexity measures, the Iterative Natural Kind Strategy, and Direct C-Tests;

11. Big Data and Open Data Repositories, including metadata resources such as the ConTraSt and

Uncon Trust Databases.

While those and other new research programmes are likely to advance the scientific study of consciousness considerably, progress in the field at large is, at present, hindered by a failure to rigorously integrate these approaches with each other and with theories of consciousness as traditionally conceived.

BAM ’s “Next-Generation Theories of Consciousness Project” (NEXTOC) aims to develop a new paradigm for the formulation of theories of consciousness that facilitates the integration of novel research directΞions in consciousness science with each other and the field at large.

Specifically, the project aims to:

1) Investigate the necessary and sufficient conditions for theories of consciousness to integrate and make predictions w.r.t. the above-mentioned research programmes, spanning both theoretical and empirical dimensions;

2) Explicate desiderata that can guide the theory-building process in light of this integration;

3) Develop theory-building strategies that can be employed by researchers in the field and applied to both existing theories of consciousness and new proposals;

4) Define a typology of ToCs in different theoretical phases that explicates which desiderata and conditions have been met by new proposals;

5) Apply (1)–(4) to some existing theories of consciousness as working hypotheses and examples.

This project is driven by the view that integrating novel research directions with theories of consciousness is key to enabling theoretical and experimental researchers to achieve a scientific solution to the problem of conscious experience.

By the end of the two-year term, the postdoc is expected to have helped deliver the project’s aims in the form of peer-reviewed articles and preprints, and to have helped disseminate the results through conference presentations, invited talks, and workshops.

Within the scope of the project’s aims, the thematic focus of the postdoc’s contribution and the format of their outputs can be adapted to support the candidate’s research profile and future career trajectory.

Please note that BAM ’s “Next-Generation Theories of Consciousness Project” does not aim to add new theories of consciousness to the existing landscape of theories. Rather, its goal is to provide the larger field with frameworksΞ, tools, and a new paradigm to do so.

Candidate Responsibilities & Tasks:

• Contribution to BAM ’s “Next-Generation Theories of Consciousness Project” (NEXTOC) across all five project aims;

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• Preparation of academic publications and conference presentations;
• Collaboration with fellow researchers at BAM and other NEXTOC contributors;
• Co-organisation of scientific workshops on the topic of the project.

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Candidate Profile:

• University degree at Master’s level or equivalent;
• A PhD or postdoctoral work in consciousness science or closely related fields;
• Good understanding of some (but not necessarily all) theories of consciousness, and familiarity

with some (but not necessarily all) of the above-mentioned research programmes;

• The willingness to engage with work beyond the candidate’s own methodological training;
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team;
• The ability to set own priorities and follow through reliably;
• An interest in communicating open questions and provisional findings to both specialist

researchers and non-specialist audiences (e.g. the general public);

• Excellent command of English.

Researchers from all background disciplines (neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, philosophy, mathematics, physics, computer science, etc.) are invited to apply, provided that their PhD or postdoctoral work engaged with consciousness directly.

Scientific Environment:

The position is hosted at the Bamberg Mathematical Consciousness Science Initiative (BAM ).

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BAM is an international initiative devoted to research in Mathematical Consciousness Science and neighbouring disciplines.

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Our mission is to spearhead the development of mathematically rigorous methods to support and accelerate research in consciousness science, by serving as a hub for applying the methods of mathematics, physics, computer science, mathematical philosophy, and other formal disciplines across all areas of consciousness science, ranging from models and theories of consciousness, measurements of consciousness, representations of consciousness, to consciousness of Artificial Intelligence and medical and societal applications.

To achieve this mission, BAM is building an interdisciplinary research hub for consciousness researchers across all career stages to cooperate and interact.

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BAM ’s research is organised in sprints, each comprising workshops, invited talks, discussion sessions, and a residency programme that connect researchers across all academic career stages. The postdoctoral Ξ

researcher will have the opportunity to take part in these activities and to engage with the international community of the field.

BAM is dedicated to creating a welcoming and stimulating environment for state-of-the-art research in Mathematical Consciousness Science and beyond. It aspires to combine highest academic standards with Ξ

proven instruments of talent development from industry and management to support team members in realising their full academic potential.

Team and Collaborators:

The position offers the opportunity to work closely with leading researchers in Mathematical Consciousness Science, both locally within BAM ’s growing team and internationally as part of BAM ’s network.

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You will pursue the project jointly with Johannes Kleiner, co-director of BAM and co-founder of the Association for Mathematical Consciousness Science and the Models of Consciousness conference series. Ξ

You will also have the opportunity to interact with Prof. Claus Carstensen, co-director of BAM , who will contribute expertise in psychometrics, item response theory and test design to the research environment. Ξ

As part of BAM ’s team, you will receive active support and guidance in developing your research, in increasing the visibility of your work, and in growing your international network. We are dedicated to Ξ

helping you flourish in your academic career, both during your time at BAM and beyond.

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How we work together:

This project addresses a problem that will not be fully settled within the term of this position, and quite possibly not within the decade. To work together in a project as challenging as this one, we rely on the following working conditions:

• We share work before it is finished. Reasoning, open questions, and abandoned lines are made visible as they develop.
• We use disagreement as an instrument. You should expect your ideas and results to be

challenged in detail, and you will be expected to do the same to ideas and results developed by collaborators, including those who hired you.

• We cherish and encourage creativity as part of the method.
• We do not, as a group, identify with or prioritise a particular theory of consciousness.

You will find this position enriching if:

• Your work feels primarily like a contribution to a research field and community that will outlast

this project, not a vehicle for individual advancement or reputation.

• You are drawn to open, unresolved foundational questions and can stay with them productively

over long periods, without needing premature closure or artificial certainty.

• You take responsibility for the quality of our shared thinking, not only for your own share of the work, and you remain constructive, approachable, and open to collaboration even under sustained critical pressure, contradiction, or intellectual friction.
• You can hold a high personal standard of rigour while distinguishing clearly between what is

known, what is assumed, and what is speculation, and you are comfortable communicating that uncertainty.

General Information:

The Otto-Friedrich University of Bamberg and BAM are committed to increasing the proportion of women in research and teaching and therefore strongly encourage female researchers to apply.

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Applicants with disabilities (m/f/d) will be given preference where qualifications are otherwise essentially equal.

The University of Bamberg has been certified as a family-friendly university by the Hertie Foundation and is particularly committed to facilitating the compatibility of family and professional life.

The position is suitable for part-time employment provided that job sharing ensures that the duties are performed on a full-time basis. Where the tasks permit, part of the work may also be carried out remotely.

For further information or in case of questions, please contact Dr. Dr. Johannes Kleiner.

Application:

Please submit your application electronically as a single PDF file via email to applications@bamxi.org. The application should include:

1. Cover letter, including a brief statement outlining your relevant experience, expertise, and interest in the project;

2. Curriculum vitae;

3. Academic publications;

4. Links to recordings of scientific talks, if available;

5. Academic references (names and contact information);

6. One academic writing sample;

7. An explanation of how and where AI was used in creating the application and the academic writing sample.

Please indicate in your cover letter where you see your primary area of specialisation and how your profile connects to the theoretical and practical dimensions of the project.

We will confirm receipt of your application by email within five working days. If you do not receive a confirmation, your application has not been received. In this case, please contact us for troubleshooting asap. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview shortly after the application deadline.

Start Date: 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Application Deadline: Saturday, 7 November 2026 (EoD CET)

Contact:

Dr. Dr. Johannes Kleiner

Bamberg Mathematical Consciousness Science Initiative (BAM )

Otto-Friedrich University of Bamberg, Markusplatz 3, D-96047 Bamberg

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Email: johannes.kleiner@uni-bamberg.de

Homepage: https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/bamxi

Acknowledgement:

We gratefully acknowledge our sponsor, DS13 GmbH, re