Postdoctoral Research Fellow “Hearing the Voice” (EXPIRED)

Fixed-Term

Applications are invited for the position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Philosophy, Durham University. The post is associated with a three-year research project entitled “Hearing the Voice”, which is supported by a Strategic Award in the Medical Humanities from the Wellcome Trust. The project is investigating the phenomenon of voice-hearing (hearing a voice in the absence of any speaker). Usually interpreted as a sign of severe mental illness, voice-hearing figures in the experience of a wide range of people, including many who do not seek psychiatric help. The Hearing the Voice project aims to achieve the fullest possible account of this experience by examining it from a range of perspectives including philosophy, literature, theology, psychology, cognitive neuroscience, psychiatry and the medical humanities. The project involves researchers from all three faculties of Durham University, along with clinicians, academics and experts-by-experience from national and international partner institutions.

This post, one of a number associated with the project, will be tenable from 1st August 2013 (or as soon as possible thereafter) until 31st December 2015. Working closely with Professor Matthew Ratcliffe, the post-holder’s principal responsibility will be to research the phenomenology of voice-hearing and address associated philosophical issues, in ways that engage with neuroscience and other disciplines. The research fellow will produce high quality philosophical publications on voice-hearing and closely related topics, most of which will be interdisciplinary and/or collaborative. He/she will also attend a regular project reading group, present papers at project events, and work with several other members of the research team to organize events, co-edit publications, and assist in the development of on-line resources.

The Philosophy Department at Durham, where the research fellow will be based, is pluralistic and friendly. It accommodates work in ‘analytic’, ‘Continental’ and non-Western philosophical traditions. Current research by staff and postgraduate students spans a notably diverse range of philosophical, historical and interdisciplinary topics. It is focused around the activities of five research groups/clusters:

• Aesthetics
• Applied Phenomenology
• Ethics
• History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine
• Mind, Language and Metaphysics

For further information about the department, see: http://www.dur.ac.uk/philosophy/

The fellow will be associated principally with the Applied Phenomenology cluster. She/he will also work closely with colleagues based in the English, Theology, Psychology and Geography Departments, as well as the University’s Centre for Medical Humanities and School for Health.

This is a full-time, fixed term position. However, if suitable candidates present themselves, we will consider appointing two part-time fellows, rather than one full-time fellow. If you would only like to be considered for full or for part-time employment, please make this clear in your letter of application.

For informal enquiries, please contact:  

Dr Victoria Patton

Project Coordinator – ‘Hearing the Voice’

Tel: +44 (0)191 334 8163

Email: Victoria.patton[at]durham.ac.uk

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in the University.

Reference Number: 2681              

Closing Date: 28th May 2013