Postdoctoral Research Associate
Department of Philosophy, School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Reference No. 659/0418F

• Work alongside internationally renowned experts in the field
• Contribute to new developments in the philosophy of biomedicine
• Full-time, fixed-term position for 3 years, remuneration package 106k p.a. to 114k p.a. (which includes base salary, leave loading and up to 17% superannuation)

ABOUT THE POSITION

The University of Sydney has received a grant from The John Templeton Foundation to explore the conceptual foundations of health and disease and of biological normativity, entitled Constructing Objective Biological Criteria of Health.

The Research Associate will work with Project Leader Professor Paul E. Griffiths and Co-Project Leader Dr Pierrick Bourrat to develop a new vision of function and purpose in living systems which reflects developments in contemporary biological theory.

Specific research topics will include:
• Evolutionary and other approaches to function and purpose
• ‘Theories of the organism’ in light of contemporary biology
• Biological individuality
• Evolution of human cognition and its pathologies, with special attention to niche-construction perspectives on human evolution

The research will be conducted in close collaboration with the biomedical research community at the University of Sydney.

ABOUT YOU

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Philosophy with: 

• PhD in Philosophy or Biological Sciences or another field relevant to the research project 
 

• evidence of research potential by publications, successful completion of previous research projects, etc
• demonstrated interest in biological and biomedical sciences. For candidates with a PhD in Biological Sciences a demonstrated interest in philosophy of science and biological theory
• evidence of ability to work as part of a research team, including ability to efficiently schedule tasks and to meet deadlines
• experience in modelling and/or familiarity with formal methods in population biology

ABOUT US

The University of Sydney’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has a proud history and tradition of intellectual rigour and offers one of the most comprehensive and diverse range of humanities and social science studies in the Asia-Pacific region, and a vibrant research and teaching environment.

HOW TO APPLY

For more information on the position and University, please view the candidate information pack available from the job’s listing on the University of Sydney careers website.

All applications must be submitted via the University of Sydney careers website. Visit http://sydney.edu.au/recruitment and search by the reference number 659/0418F to apply.

Closing date: 13 May 2018 11.30pm Sydney time.

The University of Sydney is committed to diversity and social inclusion. Applications are encouraged from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ.