Research Assistant in Technology and the (Future) Human in War

The School of Global Studies at the University of Sussex invites applications for a postdoctoral research fellow to support the research project “Technology and the (future) Human in War,” (TfHW) funded through the Leverhulme Trust Research Leaders Scheme.

TfHW is a project which will investigate the ramifications of the increasing mediation of contemporary conflict through a wide-range of complex technologies such as lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), weaponised- Artificial Intelligence (AI), drones, cyber-operations, and technologically enhanced soldiers. The project will address the following issues: What does this rapid technological change mean for the involvement of humans as humans in war? With technology radically reshaping when, where and how war is conducted; what are the implications for soldiers, citizens, enemies and civilians?

As the Research Assistant you will support the work of the principal investigator and two postdoctoral research fellows. 

Research Assistant is a pre-Doctoral career-grade research position. Post-holders will be expected to contribute to the work of the research team, and to develop their research skills with support from more experienced members of staff.

The ideal candidate will be interested in researching and understanding how technological developments are changing the way that contemporary conflict is conducted and experienced and prepared to support the research team for the duration of the project. You may have an interest in lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), weaponised- Artificial Intelligence (AI), drones, cyber-operations, and/or technologically enhanced soldiers or you might have an interest or knowledge about any of the cases. 

You will be an excellent organiser and communicator. You will be flexible and able to work with a range of different individuals. 

We are a global hub at the heart of Sussex University. Our engaged research and critical pedagogy addresses the most pressing global issues of our times – global social justice, environmental change and climate justice, war and peace, migration, global health, human rights, identity, and inequality. Our mission is to generate transformative research and real-world teaching that equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to work towards a fairer, safer, more sustainable and more inclusive world.

We are committed to inspiring and curiosity-driven teaching and research that strives to find creative solutions for the social, environmental, economic and political poly-crisis facing the world today and explore/develop alternative futures. Global Studies stands out for its interdisciplinarity across our departments, courses and research centres; our ambitious global outlook; and our decolonising, anti-racist and reparative justice approaches to teaching, research and civic engagement.

Please find further information regarding the School of Global Studies on our website.

Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.  

Please contact Lindsay Clark (lindsay.clark@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.