Post-doctoral Research Fellow - AR2945SB

Applications are sought for a committed Post-doctoral Research Fellow to work with an interdisciplinary team from the Schools of Medicine and Divinity and the Department of Philosophy conducting research for a university-funded project entitled ‘Early Diagnosis: Handling Knowing’. The project aims to advance understanding of the overlapping religious, moral and medical hazards and benefits of early diagnosis. The Principal Investigator is Dr Eric Stoddart (Divinity), the Co-Investigators are Prof. Peter Donnelly (Director of Sir James MacKenzie Institute for Early Diagnosis), and Dr Benjamin Sachs-Cobbe and Dr Mara van der Lugt. 

Knowing when, and from what, you are most likely to die is information that is becoming available with increasing clarity and precision. This project addresses questions of the societal impact of such knowledge. If I know I am likely to die at 50 I might cease my pension contributions, withdraw from the workforce and spend my remaining years in leisure. To determine whether or not this is ethically acceptable requires philosophical inquiry. What will it mean for me to be committed to another person for a fixed time rather than on a horizon of much greater contingency? How will my relationships with my children be affected if their birth certificate can carry that child’s likely ‘end-date’? Individuals will respond to the availability of such knowledge, as well as the knowledge itself, on the basis of their community’s practical wisdom – embedded in narratives of the mundane as well as of the ultimately significant or sacred. This project extends the work of the university’s Mackenzie Institute for Early Diagnosis into the Faculties of Arts and Divinity.

The primary duties will be:

• To conduct a publishable literature review;
• To assist in writing major funding bids;
• To organise interdisciplinary colloquia; and
• To organise public engagement events.

The successful applicant will have (or be near to completion of) a doctorate in either (a) medicine or public health with substantial engagement with the humanities or (b) philosophy or divinity with substantial engagement with the sciences.

The post is available for 11 months starting 1st March 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Employees of the University have access to a wide range of staff benefits including:

• Annual leave of 34 days, plus 5 public holidays
• Membership of the USS Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions

Further details of the project can be found by contacting Dr Eric Stoddart, [email protected] or  Prof. Peter Donnelly, [email protected] .   

Applications are particularly welcome from people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in research posts at the University.  

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience.  We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards (Athena Swan, Carer Positive, LGBT Charter and Race Charters). We celebrate diversity by promoting profiles of BAME, LGBTIQ+ staff and supporting networks including the Staff BAME Network; Staff with Disabilities Network; Staff LGBTIQ+ Network; and the Staff Parents & Carers Network.  Full details available online: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi

Please quote ref: AR2945SB

The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland (No SC013532).