[Applications closed] Two Postdoctoral Candidates – Social Studies of Controversies in Nanobiology at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands)
Applications for this position are now closed.
You are invited to apply for two PhD positions within the “NanoBubbles” project. We are looking for two postdoctoral candidates who will investigate that will investigate one of two projects concerning controversies about error correction in the field of nanobiology, and the activism surrounding this topic. The project is funded by an ERC Synergy grant awarded to a consortium led by four co-principal investigators at universities in France and the Netherlands; the Radboud University co-PI is Willem Halffman.
Key information
- Employment: 0.8 – 1.0 FTE
- Employer: Institute for Science in Society at Radboud University, Nijmegen (Netherlands)
- Start date: January 1, 2022
- Gross monthly salary: € 2,836 – € 4,474
- Required background: PhD
- Application deadline: 15 November 2021
- Click here to apply
DESCRIPTION
Research project
The NanoBubbles ERC Synergy project’s objective is to understand how, when and why science fails to correct itself. The project’s focus is claims made within the field of nanobiology. Project members combine approaches from the natural sciences, computer science, and the social sciences and humanities (Science and Technology Studies) to understand how error correction in science works and what obstacles it faces. For this purpose, we aim to trace claims and corrections through various channels of scientific communication (journals, social media, advertisements, conference programs, etc.) via both qualitative and digital methods.
First PhD vacancy
This first postdoctoral study describes the activists and their motivations, analyses how these activists and their ‘scientific movement’ are received by other scientists, what contributes to the success of their campaigns, and how they accommodate their activism with their scientific careers. The particular focus will be on epistemic activists in nanobiology.
Second PhD vacancy
The second project involves a qualitative social science study of scientific correction practices, in particularly in nanobiology. The project also encompasses a participative study of replication work undertaken in our own programme investigating crucial but highly debated claims in nanobiology. The objective of the project is to contribute to improved correction practices in research.
REQUIREMENTS
Background
- You have a PhD degree in social science, science and technology studies, philosophy of science, or a related field, preferably combined with some natural science background, or will obtain this degree shortly.
- You have published and presented your research work in your academic community.
- You have affinity with meta-questions about science, connecting the practical organisation of science with the epistemology and ethics of science.
- You have excellent writing and communication skills in academic English.
- You are well-organised, have an analytical mindset, and are committed to working at the forefront of science in a dynamic, international research team.
- Letter of motivation.
- CV including a description of previous research experience and the names and contact details of at least two references.
- Your most relevant paper (published or draft).
The first round of interviews will take place at the beginning of December. Your candidacy will be assessed by a committee consisting of members of the ISiS department and ERC NanoBubbles project.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
What we have to offer
- Employment for 0.8 – 1.0 FTE.
- The gross monthly salary amounts to a minimum of €2,836 and a maximum of €4,474 based on a 38-hour working week, depending on previous education and number of years of relevant work experience
- You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
- It concerns a temporary employment for two years.
- You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
- In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 29 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.
EMPLOYER
Radboud University wants to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 24,000 students and 5,600 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!
Institute for Science in Society (ISiS) is an interdisciplinary research institute within the Faculty of Science, with the aim to encourage the societal and philosophical reflection on science through dialogue and collaboration between the various research institutes of the faculty. Its mission is to analyse, assess and improve the societal embedding of new developments in science and technology, through research, education and outreach; and to understand how society is shaping science and vice versa. You will also be part of the NanoBubbles team, with affiliated research groups in Paris, Grenoble, Toulouse, and Maastricht.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Further information on the positions and the project is available here.
For questions about the position, please contact Willem Halffman, Associate Professor at +31 24 365 25 79 or w.halffman@science.ru.nl.
OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
ztoure (October 11, 2021). [Applications closed] Two Postdoctoral Candidates – Social Studies of Controversies in Nanobiology at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands). NanoBubbles . Retrieved January 18, 2025 from https://doi.org/10.58079/rqvu
