Research Fellow (105108-0122)

Vacancy Type/Job category
Research Only
Department
Politics & International Studies
Sub Department
IERG
Salary
£31,406 - £40,927 per annum
Location
University of Warwick, Coventry
Vacancy Overview
Post Doctoral Research Fellow
AHRC-DFG funded project on normative questions in the epistemology, ethics and politics of vaccine hesitancy
This 2-year, full-time post would suit someone with a PhD in analytic political theory or analytic moral philosophy and applied ethics. Postgraduate training in analytic epistemology would be an advantage. The post-holder would be based at Warwick University, would be associated with the Interdisciplinary Ethics Research Group , and would report to Prof. Tom Sorell, the project PI. The starting date would be as soon as possible after 1 March 2022.
Interview Date/s: TBC.
The duties of the post:
- To conduct relevant literature surveys.
- To identify topics for and write up research papers for publication.
- To set up a project website.
- To identify and post on relevant academic blogs and blogs for the general public.
- To produce relevant podcasts in co-operation with senior academics on the project.
- To organise virtual or in-person international workshops for academic and wider audiences.
- To help with related funding applications.
- To design and help deliver a dissemination programme.
Research Questions:
Ethics of Vaccine Acceptance
(1) Are the views of vaccine hesitant people in Britain and Germany rational/reasonable/justified? This question includes another: Is hesitancy more rational/reasonable/justified when consenting to the vaccination of someone else in one's care than when consenting to vaccination in one’s own right?
(2) Is behaviour in keeping with vaccine hesitancy right or wrong in relation to civic obligations in a democracy and, more generally, in relation to personal moral obligations?
Issues in Vaccine Science Communication
(1) What are the right strategies for authorities to pursue in communicating vaccine science?
(2) What are the barriers to successful vaccine science communication and how best are they overcome?
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
The purpose of the post is to assist with research and on normative ethical and epistemological questions related to vaccine hesitancy and dissemination of this research.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- To conduct relevant literature surveys.
- To identify topics for and write up research papers for publication.
- To set up a project website.
- To identify and post on relevant academic blogs and blogs for the general public.
- To produce relevant podcasts in co-operation with senior academics on the project.
- To organise virtual or in-person international workshops for academic and wider audiences.
- To help with related funding applications.
- To design and help deliver a dissemination programme.

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
Training in qualitative social science. (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 2
Previous work in a comparable research project. (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 3
Postgraduate training in epistemology. (a, c)
Further Particulars
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 pa). 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).
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.
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
7 Feb 2022