Research Fellows

Areas of Expertise: Ethics, Social and Political Epistemology, Political Theory

Job category: Early Career Researchers

Vacancies: 3

Duration: 4 years full time contract employment

Unit: AUA Turpanjian Institute of Social Sciences

Project name: ETICA

About the American University of Armenia: Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia is committed to providing excellent education at the graduate and undergraduate levels. AUA’s mission is to bring American education to Armenia, preparing Armenian citizens and those of the region to address the needs of sustainable development in an environment that values academic excellence, free inquiry, integrity, scholarship, innovation, leadership, and service to society. AUA is accredited by the US Department of Education, through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) regional accrediting body, and it benefits from a formal affiliation with the University of California system.

Job description

The current vacancies arise from the 5-year Horizon Europe ERA Chair project ETICA (Center for Ethics in Public Affairs), at the American University of Armenia. The aim of the Center, the first of its kind in the country and the region, is to provide a comprehensive ecosystem of research, training and public outreach on questions relevant to ethics in public life. The project is led by Professor Maria Baghramian who will act as the successful candidates’ mentor and PI. The research theme is Trust and Hope in a Time of Crises, with a focus on topics relevant to the ethics of AI and technology, the ethics of journalism, trust in governance, and climate change. You can find out more about the project here.

The successful candidates are expected to work as members of the ETICA research team. They should be willing to relocate to Yerevan and to be present at the project events and teaching sessions in the course of the academic year (approximately 10 months each year). The research and instructions are through English only and familiarity with

• Initiate and conduct high-quality research that results in excellent peer reviewed publications relevant to the scope of the project.
• Engage in teamwork in a cross disciplinary context and, ideally, co-publish with other members of the ETICA team.
• Take part and contribute to monthly Research in Progress sessions.
• Participate in national and international conferences.
• Contribute to the organization of research conferences and workshops in Armenia.
• Contribute to the teaching of no more than one course per semester in their areas of expertise at BA and MA levels.
• Initiate and develop further individual or team funding applications.
• Assist with the editing and publication of the ETICA Yearbook, an annual publication of the project.

Essential

• PhD degree in philosophy/ethics (completed).
• A proven track record of research activity and publications in ethics, social and political philosophy, applied epistemology and related area.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Desirable

• Experience in working with research projects and teams,
• Experience in organising conferences and research workshops,
• Editorial skills.
• Experience or interest in teaching in the ethics of AI and Technology and/or environmental ethics.
• Potential and enthusiasm to contribute to the long-term development of the academic and research environment of ETICA and AUA.

• Full-time employment contract of 48 months with a probationary period of 3 months.
• A research position with low teaching commitments and opportunities to develop a strong academic profile with the help of an experienced PI. 
• Annual gross salary of 20,425,000 Armenian Dram (equivalent to c. €48,000).
• Annual conference travel budget provided by the ETICA project.
• A one-time re-imbursement of relocation expenses , annual home visit return fights, and health insurance are subsidised by the university. 
• A modern and friendly work environment, shared office space and administrative support provided by the University and the newly established AUA Center for Ethics in Public Affairs. 

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following materials

• A cover letter summarising research interests and the motivation for applying to this particular post.
• An academic CV, including a complete list of publications.
• A Research proposal of c. 1000 words with a focus on topics of relevance to ETICA. 
• One sample of published or soon to be published work.
• The names and contact details of three academic referees. 

Please note that all documents should be in English.

Application deadline: June 6, 2025

Interviews and presentations (online): Mid July 2025

Start date: After September 1, 2025 - prior to March 1, 2026