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Postdoctoral Scholar (EXPIRED)

Institute for Practical Ethics

Job category Postdoc or similar / Fixed term
AOS Ethics and implications of Active Genetics
AOS categories Ethics
AOC Ethics and Implications of Active Genetics
AOC categories Ethics
Workload Full time
Vacancies 2
Location La Jolla, California, United States
Start date Summer or Fall 2019
Job description

The Institute for Practical Ethics, a newly founded interdisciplinary research unit at the University of California, San Diego, is dedicated to the pursuit of socially responsible science. Forming connections among ethicists, social scientists, natural scientists, health professionals, and the community, it seeks to address ethical and social issues facing society, from ethical issues in clinical trials, environmental conservation, stem cell research, engineering and big data, and much more. Further information about the Institute can be found at ipe.ucsd.edu.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Tata Foundation, one of the Institute’s projects over the next few years will be focused on the Ethics and Social Implications of Active Genetics. “Active genetics” refers to new advances in genetic engineering, advances associated with more precise editing methods (e.g., through CRISPR-CAS9) combined with faster and more powerful ways of driving mutations through populations (commonly called a gene-drive). This emerging ability aspires to make progress in disease reduction, agriculture, and cancer research. For example, scientists are working on modifying a species of mosquito so that it cannot transmit malaria, along with a gene drive to ensure that this new mosquito quickly replaces the wild one.  This technology’s power to transform raises ethical issues and questions about social impact. The goal of this project is to anticipate and study these new issues. We are particularly interested in projects that will focus upon this technology’s possible use in India.

To this end, the Institute has assembled an interdisciplinary research team of dissertation fellows, PhD candidates, postdoctoral scholars, and UC San Diego faculty who work in this area. Members of the research team plan and participate in a monthly meeting devoted to the science and ethics of active genetics; organize lectures, colloquia, round-tables, or other public events exploring the topic; and convene at least one major international conference. Postdoctoral scholars are also expected to be working on their own major project that concerns active genetics. While there is no existing field of gene drive studies per se, we anticipate that scholars with expertise in related questions will be especially competitive.  We anticipate successful applicants being from, but not limited to, the fields of philosophy, ethics, bioethics, sociology, science studies and anthropology.

The Institute for Practical Ethics at the University of California, San Diego, invites applications for the position of postdoctoral scholar for the academic years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. Applicants must possess a PhD granted from an accredited university before the position begins.

The postdoctoral scholar positions are two-year appointments, with the second year contingent upon acceptable performance in the first year. Salary, as based on UC’s salary scales and candidate qualifications, will be provided in exchange for active participation in the Institute’s program of activities and in particular its research project in Ethical Issues and Social Implications in Active Genetics. Postdoctoral scholars will be expected to lead monthly meetings on active genetics and ethics, attend a monthly meeting on scientific issues within active genetics, and assist with project activities (which may include writing grant proposals, organizing workshops, and research in the area). Duties will be decided through consultation between the postdoctoral scholar and Institute Co-Directors. Postdoctoral scholars are required to be in residence for the entirety of the academic years. The postdoctoral scholar position is open to international applicants. The Institute is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research and service.

How to apply
Application type Email
Instructions
Primary consideration will be given to applications submitted by December 1, 2018, but all applications will be considered until positions are filled. Applications should be submitted to Tara Nadeau ([email protected]) and should include: 1. Cover letter 2. Curriculum vitae 3. Brief statement (1000 words maximum) summarizing the applicant's intellectual interests, scholarly training, and research agenda as these relate to Ethics and Implications of Active Genetics 4. Copies of no more than two representative publications or dissertation chapters 4. Two letters of recommendation
Web address to apply http://ipe.ucsd.edu/prof-opportunities/index.html
Email to apply
Hard deadline December 1, 2018, 6:59pm PST
Contact
Web address for more information http://ipe.ucsd.edu/
Contact name Tara Nadeau
Contact email
Contact phone 858-822-4973
Bookkeeping
Time created September 28, 2018, 8:57am UTC
Scheduled expiry date December 1, 2018, 6:59pm PST
Expired on December 2, 2018, 7:46pm PST
Last updated March 14, 2019, 3:00pm UTC
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