Research Associate x 2

We are advertising for two postdoctoral researcher associates. The positions are fixed for three years, and are offered as part of the ERC project “Scientific Progress and Artificial Intelligence: A Capabilities-Based Ethnographic Epistemology” (PACE), run by Mike Stuart out of the Philosophy Department.

Start date: September 1, 2026 (negotiable)

Philosophers of science have tended to focus more on theories and models than (cap)abilities. But scientific abilities raise a host of interesting and pressing issues: what are scientific abilities, how are they trained, how do tools focus and extend them, which abilities are relevant and how does this change over time/context? The goal of this ERC-funded project is to produce and analyze new data on scientific ability by looking at the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on science.

The project is motivated by three hypotheses:

1. Scientists care about extending and empowering scientific abilities (like the abilities to interpret data, measure and stabilize phenomena, predict, imagine, pipette, keep cell cultures alive, etc.);
2. Scientists are right to care about such abilities – they matter; and
3. AI is affecting (positively and negatively) those abilities.

Key research questions for the project include (but are not limited to):

• What scientific problems is AI being introduced to solve, and why?
• Which abilities are being empowered, depowered, or otherwise changed by AI, and how?
• How can we improve science education with respect to developing strong, relevant abilities and ethical science?
• How do improved abilities constitute and/or work together with more traditional signs of progress like knowledge and understanding?

Each postdoctoral researcher will be trained in the use of qualitative methods, and will be in charge of one case study. As part of an ERC project, candidates will enjoy generous funding for travel and other expenses, benefits, and career support.

We are looking for two people who are:

• enthusiastic about investigating how AI is changing scientific practice
• excited to work in a team
• willing to learn and use sociological methods to address philosophical questions

For informal enquiries: please contact Mike Stuart (mike.stuart@york.ac.uk).

Applications should include a CV, a writing sample (maximum 10 000 words), contact information for two referees, and a short expression of interest (up to 500 words) that highlights the candidates’ research interests and how they connect with the project.

Application deadline: June 15, 2026

With help from the project partners (a number of experts in philosophy of science associated with the ERC project), the PI will create a longlist of candidates. Candidates on the longlist will be interviewed in July. After this, a shortlist will be created, and a second round of interviews will be held.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview. Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.

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