Research Fellow

The Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society (CBSS) at the Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, is looking for a Research Fellow working at the interface of science and technology studies (STS)/medical sociology and socio-legal studies. The successful applicant will work with Prof. Martyn Pickersgill and join the multi-institution project team for the Wellcome Trust Discovery Award, “Between deception and dissent: regulating unproven, disproven and misleading health-related claims” (PI: Prof. Emilie Cloatre, KCL).

The Opportunity:

During the 3-year position, the Research Fellow will co-identify, co-develop, and undertake - under the supervision of Prof. Martyn Pickersgill - thematic case-studies or research strands pertaining to the “Between deception and dissent project”, according to individual expertise and interest. Doing so will involve conducting documentary/archival legal research, and qualitative interviews in Canada (and potentially Mexico) (and via MS Teams). It will entail the analysis of several forms of data (including interview data, documentary material, and secondary literature) to answer the project’s key research questions, and leading on co-authored publications (and other forms of dissemination). The Research Fellow will contribute to the overarching intellectual development of the “Between deception and dissent” project, and practically through for instance assisting in the preparation and editing of project documentation and contributing to organising internal/external project events. The Research Fellow will also engage with the wider project team, and particularly the research staff employed on it, across other project sites. They will also contribute to the wider academic mission within the Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society (e.g. through departmental service and limited teaching and learning activities) in order to propel professional development.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Martyn Pickersgill, Professor of the Sociology of Science and Medicine / Co-Director of CBSS: martyn.pickersgill@ed.ac.uk.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• PhD (completed, or to be completed before post start date) with a substantive focus on science and technology studies / medical sociology with additional expertise in socio-legal studies (or vice versa)
• Experience and expertise in documentary/archival legal research
• Experience and expertise in conducting interviews with clinicians, scientists, or policy/regulatory actors
• Proven track record of research and writing to the standard required for publishing in leading international journals
• Interest in working as part of an internationally dispersed research team, and ability to research both independently and with direction
• Willingness to travel inter-continentally for data collection and/or other project activities
• Willingness and ability to communicate complex, specialist material to a variety of audiences, and/or develop and conduct stakeholder and public engagement
• Willingness to undertake relevant citizenship roles as part of professional development
• Committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity goals within the University

Ability to work with colleagues across the organisation in a respectful manner including collegiate support of colleagues

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