What is biological agency? Can we reproduce it in a Petri dish or a digital simulation? Newman and collaborators challenge the strictly deterministic view of evolutionary biology, arguing that agency is an intrinsic capacity of life that undergoes qualitative transformations (rather than mere scaling) during the transition from unicellular to multicellular organisms. What are the limitations of their ideas? Is it possible to truly differentiate authentic agency from evolved, teleonomic biological programs? In this review, I will address these and other important questions regarding the emergence of multicellular autonomy and the boundaries of biological determinism.

The Institute of Philosophy I at the Ruhr University Bochum seeks applications for one fully funded Post-Doctoral Researcher Positions (1.0 FTE) for 3 years. It will be part of the ERC-funded project "BOTLEG – Botanical Legacies, Towards a New History and Philosophy of Virtual Herbaria" (PI Dr. Jan Baedke).

Dr. Claus Kadelka, Dr. Réka Albert, and Dr. Laurence Calzone are calling for papers to their special issue on Discrete dynamical modeling of biological systems. Deadline for manuscript submissions is 19 May 2026.

The Institute of Philosophy I at the Ruhr University Bochum seeks applications for 2 fully funded PhD positions (1.0 FTE), each for 4 years – one in philosophy of biology, one in history of biology. They will be part of the ERC-funded project "BOTLEG – Botanical Legacies, Towards a New History and Philosophy of Virtual Herbaria". Doctoral students (m/f/x) will conduct their research under the supervision of the project’s PI, Dr. Jan Baedke.

We’re bringing together educators and professionals interested in bringing Artificial Life education to their institutions and organizations. Each two-day workshop explores fundamental questions about teaching Artificial Life — Day 1 focuses on the "Why?" and Day 2 on the "How?". We're excited to bring together a diverse range of voices to inform our collective vision for ALife education.

We’re bringing together educators and professionals interested in bringing Artificial Life education to their institutions and organizations. Each two-day workshop explores fundamental questions about teaching Artificial Life — Day 1 focuses on the "Why?" and Day 2 on the "How?". We're excited to bring together a diverse range of voices to inform our collective vision for ALife education.

Attend Theory across Biology 2026 on June 12 in Bern! One-day meeting on mathematical & theoretical approaches in biology with chalk talks and flip-chart sessions. Ideal for theorists, modelers, and interdisciplinary biologists.

The Simons Foundation invites applications for the Pivot Fellowship program that will support researchers with a strong track record of success and achievement in their current field, and a deep interest, curiosity and drive to make contributions to a new discipline.

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate (Grade E) or Fellow (Grade F) to participate in the project “Agents that can err - Building the foundations for autonomous AI Scientists”, led by Stephan Guttinger. This Leverhulme funded post is available at the Exeter Streatham campus from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2030.

The Leiden Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline.