Research Associate to Droned Life: Data, Narrative, and the Aesthetics of Worldmaking (Fixed Term)

This is an exciting opportunity to join a multi-year interdisciplinary project on unmanned technologies, culture, and aesthetics funded by UKRI, hosted by the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence at the University of Cambridge. 

'Droned Life: Data, Narrative, and the Aesthetics of Worldmaking' invites applications for a postdoctoral research associate to join a research team investigating the politics and ethics of drone proliferation in fields such as war, art, humanitarianism, and ecology. Project themes include: the role of AI, sensors, and simulation in producing new ways of interpreting the world; the place of imaginaries in facilitating the increasing use of intrusive technologies; the role of visual culture in understanding drone technology's relationships to geopolitics and the environment. 

You should have (or be about to achieve) a PhD in a relevant field and you should provide strong evidence of potential for research and publication at the highest level. Your disciplinary background might include science and technology studies; sociology; security studies; politics and international relations; literature; digital media; game studies; or AI/digital ethics and governance. Qualitative research experience is desirable. Candidates interested in creative practice or arts-based research methodologies are also very welcome. You will engage in research related to the fellowship topic and help to shape the new Centre for Drones and Culture. You will play an important role in the project's interdisciplinary activities, including discussion groups, workshops, and knowledge exchange and public engagement activities with the fellowship's collaborators, including the Imperial War Museum, the NGO Drone Wars UK, and the creative agency Human Studio. 

Fixed-term: The post is fixed-term for 4 years or until 31st July 2027 (whichever is sooner). 

More information about the project and the role can be found in the Further Particulars. 

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/39977. 

Please ensure that you upload: 

• Your Curriculum Vitae
• A cover letter of no more than 1,500 words, outlining a proposed research direction in a field within the remit of Droned Life, and explaining how this proposal and your skills would contribute to the project's goals
• A Sample of Writing of no more than 5,000 words. Candidates should choose a sample that demonstrates their suitability for this project, and their ability to write clearly and effectively. The writing sample may be published work, or a chapter from the applicant's thesis, or other unpublished work
• The names and contact details of two referees who are familiar with your work

If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

The closing date for applications is midnight (BST) on Sunday 16th April 2023. If you have any questions about this vacancy please contact Beryl Pong at bkmp2@cam.ac.uk; or about the application process, please contact the School HR Team at sahhr@admin.cam.ac.uk. Interviews are planned for the week commencing 24 April 2023, subject to confirmation and change.

Please quote reference GO35845 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.

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