Job no: 506906
Position type: Staff Full Time
Benefit Status: Benefited-Union
Campus: UMass Lowell
Department: Philosophy
Salary: Salary anticipated 52,000-60,000 depending on the grant and experience
Applications Open: Dec 11 2020
Applications Close:
General Summary of Position:
The Department of Philosophy at the University of Massachusetts Lowell seeks applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The fellow will conduct research as part of a US Department of Defense Minerva Research Initiative grant "The ethics of warfighter participation in the development and testing of AI-driven performance enhancements" under the supervision of Assistant Professors Nicholas G. Evans and Neil Shortland. The fellow will be appointed for a period of two years. Duties will include conducting and coordinating research activities associated with the funded project, protected research time for the Associate’s own research trajectory, and service teaching in the University’s applied ethics programs.
Essential Duties:
1. Working on Research Projects
Coordinating data collection activities and schedules for the research team;
Where needed, conducting required data-collection and analysis activities;
Ensuring project-related activities are conducted on time and to the highest standard;
Prepare monthly status reports and deliverables in collaboration with the project’s staff and under the direction of the Principal Investigators;
Liaising between department, funding agency and collaborating investigators Professor Jonathan Moreno (UPenn) and Professor Michael Gross (U Haifa)
Ensuring all deliverables are delivered on time and to the highest standard.
Engaging with the funding agencies project managers and ensuring they are continually updated and fully aware of all project-related activities.
2. Take a lead role in developing independent research The Fellow will have protected independent research time where they are expected to identify, conduct, and publish independent research in their area of specialization.
This will involve:
Identifying relevant funding agencies, and sourcing relevant calls for research;
Developing research ideas;
Conducting philosophical and/or empirical research to bring those ideas to fruition;
Where relevant, identifying potential collaborators;
Writing and submitting white papers and full reports to secure funding.
All of the above activities will be done alongside and under the mentorship and supervision of the PIs.
Other Duties:
The Post-Doctoral Research Associate will be expected to perform other activities related to the development of the department and future collaborative research projects.
At the request of the Associate, teaching duties are available in the Department of Philosophy’s applied ethics programs.
Minimum Qualifications (Required):
Education:
Ph.D. in hand at the time of employment (Summer 2021) in philosophy, security studies, science and technology studies, or a related discipline
Experience:
A track record of research in applied ethics, security studies, or a related field/discipline
Experiencing preparing conference presentations/posters and journal articles
Workshop and/or meeting organization skills
Skills:
Ability to work as a team player
Strong technical report writing and communication skills
Additional Considerations:
The position of Postdoctoral Research Associate is tied to a DOD funded project; ability to work on tight deadlines is desirable
Some knowledge of the US or other national security environments is desirable but not required
Experience teaching philosophy at the undergraduate level is desirable but not required for this position
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Only current UML Employees within the Grants & Contracts (MTA/GRACE) bargaining unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled; however, the posting may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.
This position is contingent upon funding. The appointment will be for two years contingent upon the availability of funding, productivity and successful performance.
Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process.