Postdoctoral Research Associate: Representing Evolution (EXPIRED)

The role 

The aim of the project is to examine how biological evolution has been represented – diagrammatically, verbally and mathematically – in the scientific literature, past and present. A secondary aim is to examine representations of evolution in the context of pedagogy and science communication. “Biological evolution” is taken to include the process of descent with modification that Darwin first described; the mechanisms that drive evolutionary process such as natural selection; and the products to which the process has given rise, such as organic adaptation and diversity. Scientists have constructed representations of each of these elements in their quest to understand how evolution works. This project will offer a systematic study of these representations, the concepts from which they are built, and the associated inferences, from an overarching philosophical perspective.

Applications are invited from candidates with an interest in the project’s research questions who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in Philosophy, with a focus on philosophical issues to do with evolution. Applicants should have a background in philosophy of science, philosophy of biology, evolutionary biology, cognitive psychology, or a related field. The main criteria for the job are academic excellence and compatibility with the research project. The successful candidates will work with the Principle Investigator (Professor Samir Okasha) and the project team.

The core project team will comprise the Principal Investigator, two post-doctoral researchers, and a PhD student.

What will you be doing?

Participate in project related research activities

Employ research methods standard to philosophical enquiry, namely individual and collaborative scholarship, close study of the relevant literature, discussion with colleagues at conferences and specialist workshops, and regular writing

Contribute to the project’s distinctive methodology, namely its strong inter-disciplinary character

Produce at least two articles over the course of the project

Engage with a range of different audiences to communicate research findings 

Participate in project-related work-in-progress meetings

Provide support for the organisation of events