Research Associate in Philosophy

Project overview

Project overview: Navigating the Neural Frontier: Embedding Ethics and Epistemology in Neurotech

This PDRA’s position is part of a major UKRI cross‑council interdisciplinary project bringing together philosophers and scientists to address the ethical and epistemological challenges posed by rapidly advancing neurotechnology. The project supports postdoctoral researchers based at both the Cogito Epistemology Research Centre and the Centre for Neurotechnology, with regular opportunities for collaboration across the two centres to achieve the project\’s integrated research goals.

The successful candidate will contribute to developing innovative theoretical frameworks at the intersection of epistemology, ethics, and emerging neurotechnology. Core research areas include a theory of trust in contexts where memory can be technologically enhanced and where brain‑computer interfaces mediate the transmission of information; a neuroauthenticity framework examining whether and how memory modification affects authentic self‑knowledge and self‑understanding; and an epistemic risk assessment framework examining how neurotechnological design choices affect sensitivity to defeating evidence, evidence retention, and rational belief revision. The postdoc will have the opportunity to explore foundational questions about epistemic agency, testimonial credibility, and the conditions for knowledge in technologically augmented minds – questions that are both philosophically rich and increasingly urgent as neurotechnology advances from laboratory to real‑world application.

The position involves collaboration with neuroscientists and includes a structured cross‑disciplinary training component, offering the opportunity to engage directly with cutting‑edge empirical research on memory enhancement and brain‑computer interfaces. This provides a unique environment for developing philosophical frameworks that are both theoretically sophisticated and empirically grounded.

Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for the project “Navigating the Neural Frontier: Embedding Ethics and Epistemology in Neurotech”, funded by the UKRI and based at the University of Glasgow’s COGITO Epistemology Research Centre in collaboration with UofG Centre for Neurotechnology. The successful candidate will produce high‑quality research in epistemology in accordance with the project’s aims. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research proposals as well as to undertake organisational tasks in the service of managing the project under the direction of Prof J Adam Carter and Dr Emma C Gordon at COGITO.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the UKRI project deliverables and the research strategy of the COGITO Epistemology Research Centre, Philosophy, School of Humanities, and the College of Arts.
2. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
3. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of the COGITO Epistemology Research Centre and of the School of Humanities and College of Arts, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high‑profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
4. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
5. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
6. Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.
7. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the Research Centre/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. Academic and Industrial Partners); this will include, as part of the project, regular collaboration with project team members at UofG’s Centre for Neurotechnology.
8. Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the Centre/School/College.
9. Take the lead in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
10. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the Cogito Research Centre and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.
11. Make a leading contribution to Teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with PI.
12. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field.
13. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
14. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School, Head of Department and PI.
15. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge / Qualifications

Essential

• A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).
• A2 A comprehensive and up‑to‑date knowledge of current issues and future directions within epistemology.
• A3 Knowledge of project‑specific technical models, equipment or techniques.
• A4 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.

Skills

Essential

• E1 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
• E2 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.
• E3 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.

Desirable

• D1 Strong organisational and communication skills, including project management, event planning, speaker liaison, and promotional activities.
• D2 Ability to draft clear, persuasive research proposals and supporting documentation.
• D3 Competence with digital tools for hybrid events, publicity, and project administration.

Experience

Essential

• E1 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.
• E2 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.
• E Experience in undertaking independent research.
• E4 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 – £46,049 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week), and has funding for up to 30th Sept 2027 with an anticipated start date of 1st April 2026.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1. A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2. An excellent employment with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3. A flexible approach to working.
4. A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
5. We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under‑represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.