Research Fellow (105047-0122)

Vacancy Type/Job category
Research Only
Department
Politics & International Studies
Sub Department
IERG
Salary
£31,406 - £40,927 per annum, pro rata
Location
University of Warwick, Coventry
Vacancy Overview
FTC until 31/01/2023, 16 hours per week.
Emerging Issues in Data Lakes
Research Assistant in Applied Ethics and AI
Research Assistant post required for a project in AI and ethics in relation to the construction of large medical data sets. This is a funded, 0.4FTE post. We are seeking the earliest possible start date (01/03/2022). The end date will be 31/01/2023. The post will suit someone trained in moral or political theory and applied ethics. Candidates should be close to the end of the PhD or will have completed it. Knowledge of AI not essential, but highly desirable. Training in qualitative social science also highly desirable, as some interviewing will be involved. The project would lead to a large-scale funding application in ethics and AI for medical diagnostics. This is a cutting-edge topic, with good opportunities for publication.
Research Questions
Research Ethics
1. How, for research ethics purposes, does a datalake for AI-assisted diagnostics differ from a data archive?
2. Should there be a unitary consent regime for research based on WSIs?
3. Should NHS partners who make available data for diagnostics of one disease (e.g. cancer) in a data lake agree ad hoc to make available data relevant to diagnostics for another disease, if they have the appropriate patient consents, and if the illness is serious? Should this include incidental findings?
4. Should Proof of Concept (PoC) projects, and exploratory micro projects with data have different research ethics requirements from post PoC projects?
Data Ethics
5. Is de-identified data in projects with large amounts of computing power potentially re-identifiable?
6. How does variation in coding of pathology data for a multi-party data lake affect the diagnostic, and therefore the patient, benefits of a pathology data lake?
7. Should data offered for algorithm development only be worked with on virtual sites controlled by the datalake custodian?
The Department values diversity, aims to challenge discrimination, and promotes equality. We are committed to strengthening our equality, diversity and inclusion agenda both in relation to our community (students and staff), our research and teaching practices, and our curricula. Applications are particularly welcome from groups that are presently under- represented in PAIS, including people who identify as Black, Asian and other under-represented ethnicities, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQUA+ people, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. We endeavour to support all our staff in their work in PAIS.
Interview Date: TBC.
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
The purpose of the post is to assist with research and on normative ethical questions concerning the construction of pathology data lakes, and to contribute to a research application in this area.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• To conduct relevant literature surveys.
• To design and help deliver a dissemination programme.
• To help with a related funding application.
• To identify and post on relevant academic blogs and blogs for the general public.
• To identify potential interviewees and carry out interviews relevant to the research questions.
• To identify topics for and write up research papers for publication.
• To organise workshops for academic and wider audiences.
• To produce relevant podcasts in co-operation with senior academics on the project.
• To set up a project website.

Person Specification

The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. This is measured by (a) Application Form, (b) Test/Exercise, (c) Interview, (d) Presentation.

Essential Criteria 1
Good honours degree and possession of a PhD or equivalent in relevant discipline. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 2
Proven ability in research and evidence of quality research output in relevant field. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 3
A developing research profile with the ability to publish and/or produce high quality research output. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 4
Sufficient breadth or depth of specialist knowledge in the project research areas and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 5
Ability or potential to contribute to the development of funding proposals in order to generate external funding to support research projects. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 6
Ability to interpret the research questions creatively. (d)
Essential Criteria 7
Willingness and demonstrated ability to work flexibly across duties of the post. (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 1
Previous research in AI. (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 2
Training in qualitative social science. (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 3
Previous work in a comparable research project. (a, c)
Further Particulars
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars .
The Interdisciplinary Ethics Research Group is a research centre of the Dept. of Politics and International Studies (PAIS) at Warwick:
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/
PAIS is one of the leading departments in its discipline in the UK according to all measures (research strength, student satisfaction, and league tables.
There is a very active research community in political theory, moral philosophy and related jurisprudence through the Centre for Ethics, Law and Public Affairs at Warwick:
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/research/celpa/
Right to work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK points-based immigration system please click on this link which contains further information about obtaining right to work in the UK and details about eligibility for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa.
If you have not yet been awarded your PhD but are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant on level 5 of the University grade structure (£30,497. Upon successful award of your PhD and evidence of this fact, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of level 6 of the University grade structure (£31,406 pa).
The University of Warwick provides an inclusive working and learning environment, recognising and respecting every individual’s differences. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010.

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy

As an organisation using the (DBS) Disclosure and Barring Service to assess applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, the University of Warwick complies with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. More information is available on the University’s Vacancy pages and applicants may request a copy of the DBS Code of Practice.

Closing Date
31 Jan 2022