Research Fellow in Society & Technology

Full Time Fixed Term for 18 months

Interview Date: To be confirmed

The role

We are recruiting a Research Fellow (postdoctoral researcher) to undertake mixed-methods research on the socio-technical, ethical and environmental evaluation of emergent technologies and will have the opportunity to lead some of the work packages. Some of the activities might include analysing the ethical and social implications of the technologies, undertaking and analysing qualitative interviews and focus groups with experts and innovators in the field, designing and launching surveys to the general population, Delphi method forecasting, observational research, collaborating with experts in public policy to identify stakeholders and helping write policy reports, guidelines or frameworks for research. The project is mainly focused on a rather unknown technology called bio-hybrid robotics, but there will be opportunities to carry out similar research in other emergent technologies like AI. 

You will join a supportive interdisciplinary environment in a working group of colleagues in fields like political science, computer science, economics, etc., and you will have the opportunity to engage with non-academic stakeholders. The project comes with funding for a skill development program for the candidate to attend training courses to learn new methodologies, such as those from the list above, as well as travel budget for conference attendance and mentoring support. 

About you

The successful applicant will have or be soon to complete a PhD (or equivalent professional qualification and experience) in a Social Science field, like Science and Technology Studies, Political Science, or similar. The successful candidate should have demonstrable expertise in, at least, qualitative OR quantitative research methods, and willingness to expand their methodological expertise with mixed methods training. Preference will be given to candidates with mixed-methods expertise and demonstrable interest in interdisciplinary research. The candidate will need to show capability of engaging efficiently in interdisciplinary research and working with non-academic stakeholders, and ability to organise their own activities.  The candidate should have interest in the socio-technical, ethical and environmental evaluation of emergent technologies and in responsible research and innovation. 

The post is offered on a fixed-term appointment for 18 months and should ideally start by December 2023, or shortly thereafter.

Thinking of applying but you think you don’t meet all the requirements? Studies have shown that certain groups, like women, are less likely to apply to a role if they don’t meet 100% of the requirements. If you feel this is the right project for you, we encourage you to apply, and particularly women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic, LGBT and disabled applicants. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is central to the ethos of this project and to the School of Electronics and Computer Science.                                                                                                                                         

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