Post Doctoral Research Associate

Working Arrangements This role is full time but we will consider requests for flexible working arrangements including potential job shares

Durham University

Durham University is one of the world's top universities with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.

The University sits in a beautiful historic city where it shares ownership of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral, the greatest Romanesque building in Western Europe. A collegiate University, Durham recruits outstanding students from across the world and offers an unmatched wider student experience.

Less than 3 hours north of London, and an hour and a half south of Edinburgh, County Durham is a region steeped in history and natural beauty. The Durham Dales, including the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are home to breathtaking scenery and attractions. Durham offers an excellent choice of city, suburban and rural residential locations. The University provides a range of benefits including pension and childcare benefits and the University’s Relocation Manager can assist with potential schooling requirements.

Durham University seeks to promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for work and study that assists all members of our University community to reach their full potential. Diversity brings strength and we welcome applications from across the international, national and regional communities that we work with and serve.

The Department

The Philosophy Department at Durham University is a centre for world-leading research in a wide range of fields, grouped into four research clusters:

1. Aesthetics , Ethics and Politics;

2. History of Philosophy;

3. Mind, Language and Metaphysics; and

4. Science, Medicine and Society.

It leads several interdisciplinary research centres, including the Centre for Humanities Engaging Science and Society (CHESS), the Durham Centre for Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, the Centre for the Ethics of Cultural Heritage and the Centre for the History of Medicine and Disease. Collaborative interdisciplinary research is at the heart of our research and impact strategy, as is our very strong performance in external research funding.

At both postgraduate and undergraduate level, students can choose from a wide range of topics spanning the whole discipline of philosophy. Admissions to the Department’s undergraduate programmes is competitive, and we consistently perform strongly in national rankings for philosophy. We have one of the largest PhD programmes in the UK and many of our students go on to pursue highly successful academic careers.

The Role
A post-doctoral research associate is required for summer work on the John Temple Foundation-sponsored project, The Successes and Failures of Science Through the Lens of Intellectual Humility: Perspectives from the History and Philosophy of Science.

Humility: Perspectives from the History and Philosophy of Science. The post-holder will be expected to work with the PI undertaking research to address the question, ‘What practicable changes to the norms, institutional structures and/or regulatory practices can encourage better standards of intellectual humility about claims, models, measures and other products of science and technology, especially when these play a significant role in the development of policy, designs or technological devices?’ They will also be expected to help prepare lectures and hopefully publications on this theme for academic and practitioner audiences. A good degree at at least the master's level is required, with some background in relevant research areas, for example: institutional responsibility, institutional organisation, science collaboration or norms of scientific practice.

Responsibilities:

Specific:

• Undertake literature searches and research to identify and analyse relevant research already available on institutions and norms, especially with respect to science and its uses.
• Contribute to the preparation of lectures and accompanying PowerPoint slides and publications relevant to the research and its results.

General:

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
• To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.

This post is fixed term until 30 September 2023 as dictated by the budget and project plan already agreed with the funder.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in p ost by 1st May 2023.

How to Apply

For informal enquiries please contact the Project Administrator, Adrian Harris at a.n.harris@durham.ac.uk. All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.

We prefer to receive applications online via the Durham University Vacancies Site. https://www.dur.ac.uk/jobs/ . As part of the application process, you should provide details of 3 (preferably academic/research) referees and the details of your current line manager so that we may seek an employment reference.

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in the University .

What to Submit
All applicants are asked to submit:

• A CV and covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above;

Next Steps

The assessment for the post will include assessment of suitability from application and/or tested at interview. It is currently anticipated that shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview (date to be confirmed)

Qualifications :

The Requirements

Essential:

1. Qualifications

• · A good first degree in Philosophy or a related subject.
• · A PhD (or be close to submission) in Philosophy or a related subject.

2. Experience

• Experience in conducting high quality academic research.
• Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.
• Demonstrable ability to present research papers at [national/international] conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.
• Some background in relevant research areas, for example: institutional responsibility, institutional organisation, science collaboration, norms of scientific practice.
• Demonstrable ability to produce concise and well-written academic reports.
• Ability to produce top quality PowerPoint slides.
• Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively.
• Ability to manage time effectively and work to strict deadlines.

3. Skills

• · Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
• · Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
• · Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable:

4. Experience

• · Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career.
• · A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.

5. Skills

• · Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.