Two Job Opportunities at Cambridge: Research Associates in History of Biology and in Philosophy of Biology
University of Cambridge
Department of History and Philosophy of Science
TWO RESEARCH ASSOCIATE POSITIONS: ONE IN HISTORY OF
BIOLOGY AND ONE IN PHILOSOPHY
OF BIOLOGY
Salary: £28,982-£37,768p.a., depending on experience
2-year Limit of Tenure applies
The
Department of History and
Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge, seeks to
appoint two post-doctoral
Research Associates, one in history of biology and one in
philosophy of
biology, to contribute to the multi-centre project ‘Putting
the Extended
Evolutionary Synthesis to the Test’,
which is
contextualizing, clarifying and evaluating recent calls for
extensions to the
‘Modern Synthesis’ in evolutionary biology.
These
Cambridge-based sub-projects will address historical and
philosophical concerns.
The
early
years of the Modern Synthesis have been studied in some
detail, and yet its
identity and effects are controversial and a series of
historical questions
about its subsequent development remain open, especially for
the 1960s to
1990s. A fuller historical account
of the nature and
legacy of the Modern Synthesis will deepen our understanding
of the diverse
reactions to attempts to extend that synthesis. The
philosophy of science will contribute
by providing a thorough analysis of the general meaning of
the ‘Extended
Synthesis’ itself—whether it offers a new set of theories, a
change of
emphases, or something else altogether—in addition to
clarification and
evaluation of the some of the key concepts developed by its
advocates. These
include the concepts of niche-construction, niche
inheritance and reciprocal
causation.
The
successful candidates will
work full-time on this project, each producing at least three
research papers
over the tenure of their position. They will also be expected
to contribute to
the project in other ways, including liaising with project
workers in other
centres, participating in project seminars and workshops,
helping to organize
workshops, and contributing to the project website. The
successful candidates
will have the ability to work reliably and efficiently to
deadlines and
targets. They will be mentored by members of the Cambridge HPS
team, which includes
Professor Tim Lewens, Dr Nick Hopwood and Dr Marta Halina.
They will also have
the opportunity to collaborate with members of the Cambridge
Zoology Department
team, led by Professors Rufus Johnstone and Paul Brakefield,
as well as with the
large international network of researchers involved in this £5.7 million, multi-centre grant funded
by the John
Templeton Foundation.
Candidates
should have:
- An outstanding record in either the philosophy of biology or the history of biology
- An excellent knowledge of diverse approaches to evolution, either from a historical or philosophical perspective
- Completed their doctorate
by the time of taking up the appointment.
To apply online for these
vacancies please visit: http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/
There you will need to click on the 'Apply online'
button and register
an account with the University's Web Recruitment System (if
you have not
already) and log in before completing the online application
form. Applicants are able
to upload a
maximum of three documents.
These should be arranged as follows:
1.) Cover letter, an up to date curriculum vitae
and full list of
publications combined into one document
2.) Two samples of original written work in a
related area (c.
10,000 words in total)
3.) A description of your research plans and an
explanation of how
your research will contribute to the project. This should not
exceed 1,000
words
Closing
Date: 1 July 2016
Interview
Date: around
mid-July 2016
Start
Date: 1 October 2016 (or as soon as possible thereafter)
Please provide the names and contact details of
two referees in
the space provided. We will contact the referees of
shortlisted candidates
directly to request references (unless you advise that you do
not wish us to do
so). Referees will be asked to comment specifically on the
candidate's ability
to undertake this role in the Department.
If you are unable to upload your documents,
please email these as
attachments to hpsjobs@hermes.cam.ac.uk, ensuring that you
include your surname
in the email subject line and in the file names.