Research Associate in the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER)
The Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate in bio-risk analysis. CSER's approach to the study of extreme and existential risks emphasises interdisciplinarity and engagement with policy and technology communities.
The Research Associate will develop a project focusing on bio-risk. In the bio area, the low probability, high impact risks that CSER focuses on are generally associated with advances which also have potential for great benefits. It's particularly important to understand appropriate ways of managing such risks without unnecessarily restricting benefits, which might come, for example, from new approaches to addressing pandemic threats, or novel organisms created through synthetic biology.
There will be an opportunity for the project to be advised by senior scientists from other departments as relevant to the project. Supported by CSER's research team and expert advisory board, the Research Associate will produce independent and collaborative research outputs targeted at academic, government, industry and other audiences.
Applicants must have:
- A PhD in a relevant field or professional experience in a relevant area commensurate with the requirements of the role.
- Expertise in some area relevant to the focus area.
- Evidence of ability to work in collaborative environments. Ability to engage with diverse communities of experts including academics across disciplines, industry partners, and policymakers.
- Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.
- Evidence of a serious research interest in the research foci of the Centre, including a research proposal explaining how their skills are relevant to CSER's agenda.
- The inclination and the intellectual versatility to engage a range of 'big-picture' questions, and the ability to pursue such questions in a rigorous way, integrating findings from different academic disciplines using a variety of analytic methods.
Please see the Further Information for details of how to apply.
Fixed-term: The start date is as soon as possible. The funds for this post are available until 30 September 2018 in the first instance.
To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the 'Apply' button below. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.
The closing date for applications is 20 July 2016. If you have any questions about this vacancy you can contact Dikey Ghung ddg22@cam.ac.uk; or about the application process, contactjobs@CRASSH.cam.ac.uk. Interviews are planned for mid-September 2016.
Please quote reference VM09335 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
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