Research Assistant (Fixed Term)

This is an exciting opportunity to work within the research project titled "Imaginaries of Immortality in the Age of AI: an Intercultural Analysis", led by Dr Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basi¿ska and funded by Schmidt Sciences. The ideal candidate will contribute to impact-oriented work at the intersection of cultural studies, media studies, and death studies.

The Research Assistant will support the development, research, and valorisation of impact-oriented projects within the Desirable Digitalisation team, as part of the Narratives and Justice programme, a collaboration between the Universities of Cambridge and Bonn and numerous international partners. The programme investigates how to place the questions of social justice and environmental sustainability at the heart of technology development and how to translate theoretical insights about historical injustices and discrimination into new technology design methods and education tools.

CFI is a highly interdisciplinary research centre addressing the challenges and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence (AI). Funded by the Leverhulme Trust, CFI is based at the University of Cambridge, with partners in the University of Oxford, Imperial College, and UC Berkeley. The Centre also has close links with industry, policymakers, and many academic disciplines.

An ideal candidate should be aware of the key application of digital technology to issues around death, dying, and immortality. This includes various applications within what has been called the "digital afterlife industry".

Applicants should have, or be studying for, a postgraduate qualification in a field relevant to the digital death and immortality studies (including cultural studies, media studies, science and technology studies, sociology, or related fields); applicants with work experience relevant to the project that pursue degrees in other academic fields will also be considered. All applicants should be able to demonstrate strong motivation in line with the goals of the research programme, as well as capacity to work independently.

This position is fixed-term for 12 months and working hours will be 20% of full time (7.4 hours per week).

In order for your application to be considered, please upload the following: 

•  Your Curriculum Vitae
•  A cover letter of no more than 700 words. Please outline any skills and experience you have that would be relevant for this role. Please include examples and evidence that demonstrate your   skills/capabilities.
•  A sample of writing of no more than 2,000 words that demonstrates your suitability for this project; this could be an extract from a longer piece or a collection of shorter  samples/excerpts   that illustrates your ability to write for different audiences.
•  The names and contact details of two referees who are familiar with your work and who could be contacted if you are shortlisted for the position.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Dr Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basi¿ska on [email protected] , or about the application process, please contact the School's HR Team on [email protected] .

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 7 April 2024. Interviews are planned for the week commencing 22 April 2024, subject to change.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the apply button above.

Please quote reference GO40885 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.