PHILOSOPHERS wanted. Good rate of pay, 17.5 hours per week. Apply in writing.

It's an unusual job advert. However, a penchant for Plato or a familiarity with Foucault is not required.

But deep thinkers are being sought by a York-based charity to bring harmony to a city community.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is searching for a "philosopher" for a pioneering project in New Earswick.

The scheme aims to reduce antisocial behaviour problems in the model village by encouraging inter-generational understanding.

It calls for a "community worker/ philosopher" to use thinking skills and community work techniques to help people tackle the root of their worries and assumptions about others.

Jacquie Dale, deputy director of housing and community services at the foundation, said: "We are breaking new ground here and it is based in York."

The project was set up in January 2006 and the first year was spent working with community and residents' groups and schools.

It aims to unite older and younger people by getting them to identify common local problems such as litter or dog fouling, and then tackling the issues.

Mrs Dale said: "It is about developing dialogue between the generations. We are trying to engage with those who would not ordinarily engage in community activities, particularly younger people."

She added: "We are trying to break down some of those perceptions we all have and get young people to understand the impact their behaviour has on older people.

"We have not got very high levels in terms of antisocial behaviour and crime, but the perception of young people gathering in spaces outside is quite negative. We wanted to unpick and explore why old people had these attitudes to young people and the other way around."

The trial will be monitored independently by experts from the University of Bath and it has funding for two more years. Bosses at the foundation aim to fill the post by the end of March.