Postdoctoral Fellow AI

Full time: 35 hours per week

Fixed Term available from 1^st April 2026 to 31^st March 2031

Location: Usher Institute, Edinburgh Bioquarter

We will also consider requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular (weekly) on-campus working.  The Usher Institute expects a minimum of 40%* on campus working.

The Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society at the Usher Institute within The University of Edinburgh is looking for a 5-year postdoctoral Fellow to work on the Wellcome-funded Discovery Award Medicine without Doctors.

Please note this role can be appointed at Grade UE07, step 3 - £43,482 per annum at a maximum.

The opportunity:

Medicine without Doctors is a six-year Wellcome-funded project exploring the changing authority of medical practices through four case studies: LGBTQ+ health, artificial intelligence, abortion care and the physician associate. The project is underpinned by two theoretical pillars: the sociology of care and the philosophy of voice. To do this work, the project brings together a multidisciplinary and sector-spanning team of investigators, from philosophy, socio-legal studies, STS, history, sociology and design, with the aim of creating new, interdisciplinary knowledge. In this project, we are also excited to develop and draw on play methodologies collaboratively.

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow to undertake work in relation to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) component of the project. In collaboration with Dr Nayha Sethi (line manager), the postholder will be responsible for developing and undertaking their own 5-year empirical socio-legal project on the AI Case Study. This project will also need to align with the Medicine without Doctors wider vision, including a focus on project themes care and voice, and creative methodologies.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Nayha Sethi, Senior Lecturer, Nayha.Sethi@ed.ac.uk.

More information about Medicine without Doctors can be found here.

This post might require Level 2 Disclosure as the project progresses but the candidate will receive support processing it if required.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• A PhD awarded in a relevant discipline (e.g. law, social sciences, science and technology studies, or other relevant field engaging with qualitative research and law and policy) 
• Knowledge of regulatory, ethical and societal issues arising from AI in health
• Experience of designing and undertaking qualitative research including organising, conducting, collecting, managing and analysing data from interviews, focus groups, surveys, or other forms of data collection)
• Experience of working independently and collaboratively to deliver projects
• Experience of or willingness to engage with community stakeholders as part of the research process

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