Research Fellow, Astrobiology Ethics

Terms: Fixed term contract for 3 years with possibility of being made permanent. Full-Time (37 hours)

Closing Date: 26 April 2024 - 12:00 noon

Interview date: 13/14 May 2024 

Flexible working patterns will be considered.

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. We’d expect this to be at least once per week.

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

About AstrobiologyOU 

AstrobiologyOU is an interdisciplinary research group addressing the scientific, ethical and governance challenges associated with the advancement of astrobiology and related space exploration missions. It spans three Faculties: The Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, the Faculty of Business and Law, and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, bringing together 60 members with expertise in science, international development and governance. The Group’s activities are supported by funding from UK Research councils, The UK Space Agency, The European Space Agency, and commercial activities, and has grown to its current strengths through a £7.4 million investment from Research England’s Expanding Excellence in England scheme. 

AstrobiologyOU is committed to building an inclusive research environment. The Group supports flexible working arrangements, within the limits of the post, and particularly welcomes applications from groups traditionally under-represented in STEM.  

The role

The Open University is recruiting an Astrobiology Research Fellow.

The postholder will be welcomed into AstrobiologyOU, an interdisciplinary research group investigating the feasibility of life beyond the Earth, and the associated scientific, governance and ethical implications. The role would be based within the School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences. Your role will be to lead and foster interdisciplinary research on space ethics and sustainable futures in space.

You should have a strong track record in research aligned with social studies and humanities of outer space and work at the interface between social science and science.

Your programme will result in high-impact and highly cited REF-eligible publications in peer-reviewed publications. You will generate income through research grants and/or collaboration with industry.

Skills and experience

• PhD in or recent experience in space/planetary ethics or a relative cognate subject area, including philosophy, geography, governance, cultural studies, or anthropology, and experience working with scientists addressing astrobiology or space-related issues.
• A strong record of research and/or knowledge exchange that is commensurate to the position.
• A track record of independent research that is shown by peer-reviewed publications.

The full summary of duties and person specification can be found within the Job Description.

If you would like to discuss the application or recruitment process before making an application, please contact Donna Elstob at Resourcing Hub on 01908 655544 or Resourcing.hub@open.ac.uk quoting the reference 21539.

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs.

We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Staff Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 33 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas closure days.

How to apply

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