Professor of Practice in Science Policy (E&S)

Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

This new part time (0.5 FTE) post is available immediately on a fixed term basis until 28/02/2027 in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. This post offers the opportunity for hybrid working - some time from campus and some time from home. 

We are seeking to appoint a Professor with a particular interest in science policy, data studies and the ethics and governance of data and Artificial Intelligence.

This post is primarily to support research and teaching activities in the area of science policy and data studies. The post holder will be an innovative researcher with a strong and current record of research funding and international quality publications.

The post will focus on leadership of the Ethical Data Initiative, jointly with the Technical University of Munich, and research on digital ethics, governance and the interface between science and policy. The postholder will be tasked with developing and managing the global network of partners of the EDI, and ensuring the continuous and growing visibility of the initiative among international, national and regional policy-makers , relevant industry and civil society organisations, and science management circles.   The postholders will be collaborating closely with the Scientific Director and the Director of Communications, Policy and Operations of the EDI to ensure its successful launch and further development.

We are looking for a leading international figure with the ability to attract world-class academics to their research groups. Applicants will be innovative researchers with a strong track record of experience and leadership in international / transnational policy organisations, research funding and international quality publications.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024).  We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today.  More than 99% of our research is of international quality and 47% is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

For an informal and confidential discussion about the post please contact Prof Sabina Leonelli (email: [email protected]).

The closing date for applications is 20th February 2024 and interviews are expected to take place shortly after.