Postdoctoral Researcher: The Ethics of Social Punishment

Postdoctoral Researcher: The Ethics of Social Punishment

Magdalen College proposes to appoint one Postdoctoral Researcher to work on the project The Ethics of Social Punishment, led by Prof Paul Billingham (Magdalen College) and Prof Tom Parr (University of Warwick), based at the Calleva Research Centre. The Postdoctoral Researcher will be a political theorist, political philosopher, or social philosopher, with proven research interests related to project. The post will commence on 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter and will be for three calendar years.

The primary role of the Postdoctoral Researcher will be to pursue independent research regarding the justifiability of informal social punishment and to disseminate this research through scholarly presentations and publications. The postholder will also contribute to the wider aims of the project by helping to building an interdisciplinary network of scholars working on relevant issues, organising academic events, and pursuing non-academic impact.

This is a three-year fixed-term position.

The appointment will be made on grade 7.4 of the Unified College Pay Scale, currently £41,064 per annum, plus £1,730 per annum Oxford Location Allowance.

The appointment includes five free meals (lunch or dinner) in College each week that the kitchen is open, membership of the College’s Senior Common Room, and access to generous research funds.

The closing date is Monday 01 June 2026, and applications must be completed at or before that time.  Incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

Magdalen College is an equal opportunities employer.  Further information can be obtained from the College web site, at www.magd.ox.ac.uk/equality.