PhD Candidate in Social Study of Science: Error, Correction and Overpromising (1.0 FTE)

• Employment: 1.0 FTE
• Gross monthly salary: € 2,443 - € 3,122
• Faculty of Science
• Required background: Research University Degree
• Application deadline: 15 January 2022

Are you an aspiring researcher, interested by how error correction works in science and what obstacles it faces? And would you like to work at the forefront of science in a dynamic, international team? Then we are looking for you as a PhD Candidate.

The PhD project involves a qualitative social science study of scientific promising, novelty claims and discursive reframing of novelty in nanobiology. For example, the portrayal of the nanoparticle-protein corona as a radical innovation is opposed by critical nanobiologists, insisting that the protein corona is simply a continuation of colloid adsorption research. The case provides a lens to study practices of reframing, of novelty, and of the challenges that such reframing misrepresents the innovative potential of research. This project also analyses science as a social process and asks how scientists assess what forms of promising and reframing are acceptable. The project will rely on interviews and documentary analysis from a wide range of sources (scientific, policy, media) to study how novelty claims made in the literature are connected to the mobilisation of research resources. This project can also build on systematic bibliometric studies developed by scientometricians and data scientists working in associated research projects. Your teaching load may be up to 10% of your appointment.
Profile

• You have a Master's degree in social science, science and technology studies, philosophy of science, or a related field, preferably combined with some natural science background, or you will obtain this degree shortly.
• You have affinity with meta-questions about science, connecting the practical organisation of science with the epistemology and ethics of science.
• You feel comfortable with highly interdisciplinary work and can get acquainted efficiently with unfamiliar research.
• You have excellent writing and communication skills in academic English.
• You are well-organised, have an analytical mindset, and are committed to working at the forefront of science in a dynamic, international research team.

We are

As a PhD Candidate, you will be part of the Institute for Science in Society at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands). ISiS is an interdisciplinary research institute within the Faculty of Science, with the aim to encourage the societal and philosophical reflection on science through dialogue and collaboration between the various research institutes of the faculty. Its mission is to analyse, assess and improve the societal embedding of new developments in science and technology, through research, education and outreach; and to understand how society is shaping science and vice versa. You will also be part of the NanoBubbles team, with affiliated research groups in Paris, Grenoble, Toulouse, Twente, and Maastricht.

The projects are part of the ERC Synergy programme NanoBubbles, which studies how, when and why science fails to correct itself, concentrating on the field of nanobiology. Project members combine approaches from the natural sciences, computer science, and the social sciences and humanities (Science and Technology Studies) to understand how error correction in science works and what obstacles it faces. For this purpose, we aim to trace claims and corrections through various channels of scientific communication (journals, social media, advertisements, conference programs, etc.) using both qualitative and digital methods. The programme also aims to intervene in the nanobiology debate, among other things, by investigating its central assumptions through experimental replication.

Radboud University
We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 24,000 students and 5,600 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!

We offer

• Employment for 1.0 FTE.
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,443 per month based on a 38-hour working week and will increase to €3,122 in the fourth year (salary scale P ).
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services . Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment  and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 29 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions . You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.
Would you like more information?

For questions about the position, please contact Willem Halffman, Associate Professor at +31 24 365 25 79 or [email protected] .

Practical information and applications
You can apply until 15 January 2022, exclusively using the button below. Kindly address your application to Willem Halffman. Please fill in the application form and attach the following documents:

• A letter of motivation, including a description of previous research experience.
• Your CV, including the names and contact details of at least two references.
• A transcript of records of your Bachelor and Master studies, including obtained grades.

The first round of interviews will take place on Wednesday 26 January. The second round will take place on Wednesday 2 February. Your candidacy will be assessed by a committee consisting of members of the ISiS department as well as of the ERC NanoBubbles project.
We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure . It offers a rough outline of what you can expect during the application process, how we handle your personal data and how we deal with internal and external candidates.

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