Research Associateship in History of Biology at Cambridge
The Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University
of Cambridge, seeks to appoint a two-year post-doctoral Research Associate
in history 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.
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. The work of this
researcher will contribute towards a deeper understanding of
continuity and change, and of resistance to change, within the
field. We are open to a variety of historical approaches, and to
work that might highlight the importance variously of concepts and
practices, images and instruments, research programmes and
research networks, disciplines and learned societies,
communication among specialists and to wider publics, including in
anniversaries and other forms of commemoration, and via teaching
in schools.
The successful candidate will work full-time on this project,
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 candidate will have the ability to work reliably
and efficiently to deadlines and targets. They will work alongside
a postdoctoral researcher in philosophy of biology (already
appointed) and will be mentored by members of the Cambridge HPS
team, which includes Professor Tim Lewens, Professor 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 the history of
biology; an excellent knowledge of diverse approaches to evolution
from a historical perspective; completed their doctorate by the
time of taking up the appointment.
Salary: £28,982-£37,768
Closing date: 4 November 2016; interviews: mid-November; start date: 1 January 2017 (or asap thereafter)
For more information and to apply: http://www.jobs.cam.ac.