Three-year, Postdoctoral Research Positions in the Ethnography of Science
The University of Notre Dame's newly ratified Center for Theology, Science, and Human
Flourishing will start its activities in August 2015 under the direction of Prof. Celia
Deane-Drummond. The Center invites applications for two postdoctoral research
appointments funded through a grant from the Templeton Religion Trust in the
ethnography of science (each lasting three years) to begin January 2016.
The successful candidates will be part of a multi-disciplinary team (including
psychologists, theologians, and other scholars from science & technology studies)
examining the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dispositions that are associated with
the practice of laboratory research in biology and how those dispositions might
strengthen or impede human flourishing in non-scientific domains. Operating under the
rubric “Developing Virtues in the Practice of Science,” this $3.1 million project funded
by the Templeton Religion Trust conceptualizes these dispositions as virtues/vices in
order to make connections to existing literature in psychology, theology, virtue ethics,
and virtue epistemology.
Responsibilities of the post include: conducting bibliographic research and literature
reviews on ethnographic research relevant to the project; collaborating with the team to
devise research protocols for ethnographic and psychological research; serving as a
participant observer in two different biology laboratories (one at Notre Dame and one at
the University of Durham, UK); conducting limited observations of two choral ensembles
as part of a control study; presenting individual and team research in professional and
public forums; collaboratively designing and teaching an undergraduate course related to
the project; and contributing to the project colloquia (Notre Dame, IN, 2016; Durham,
UK, 2017) and conference (London, 2018).
The ideal candidates will have a PhD in anthropology, sociology, or science &
technology studies; training and experience conducting ethnographic research; and strong
interest in collaborating with experts from multiple disciplines. Starting salary is $48,000
plus benefits and up to $5,000 per year in research funding.
Applicants should submit a single pdf containing a cover letter explaining your research
interests and potential connections to the project, a c.v., and a writing sample
to ctshf@nd.edu Three letters of recommendation should be sent separately (or via a
dossier service) to the same address. Review of applications will begin Aug 15th and
continue until the position is filled. The University of Notre Dame is an affirmative
action employer with a strong commitment to fostering a culturally diverse atmosphere
for faculty, staff, and students.