Heidelberg University, Cluster of Excellence SynthImmune/Theological Faculty „Synthetic“ vs. „natural”: Scientific terminologies and their normative substructures
PhD position (66–75 %) in Ethics (PhD/Dr. theol.) from January 2026 to June 2029
“Building synthetic cells”, “constructing biological functions from scratch”, “engineering cell modules”: current research in synthetic biology transgresses the borderline between “synthetic” and “natural” entities in multiple respects. The “synthetic” vs. “natural” distinction and related concepts such as “engineered” vs. “evolved” are deeply culturally ingrained and normatively charged. Thus, the way how these terminologies are dealt with in discourses and practices is highly relevant for the formation of normative convictions, for public perceptions of science and medicine as well as for regulation.
In this PhD project, you will study these and other core terminologies of synthetic biology as they are used in the Heidelberg Cluster of Excellence “SynthImmune” and beyond. Using methods of empirical and normative ethics, you will analyze their practice and their normative implications in order to develop recommendations for a responsible use of such terminologies. You come from theology, philosophy or a related field and will closely work together with researchers from chemistry, biology and medicine. You will visit labs and study practices and terminology in everyday lab research, in interviews with natural scientists as well as in scientific publications and in popular media.
You should have a good to very good degree (M.A., M.ed., Mag. theol. or the like) and should be interested in the sciences as well as in interdisciplinary exchange. We offer a vivid research environment, a structured postgraduate programme, a lively ethics group that is eager to support you, and interdisciplinary experiences far beyond the normal in the humanities. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to apply!
For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Thorsten Moos: thorsten.moos@ts.uni-heidelberg.de
Application until December 8, 2025, after registration on the central application portal of the Cluster of Excellence (see links below)
