Postdoctoral Research Associate (HUGE)

This full time position is available from 1 September 2025 to 31 December 2028.

The post

We wish to recruit an outstanding and highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate with expertise in social studies of race and a special interest in how racism manifests in science.

You will conduct original research, organize events, undergo training, and assist the ERC funded project “Human Genomics without Racism” (HUGE) led by the Principal Investigator Dr. Celso Neto at Egenis (Centre for the Study of Life Sciences), University of Exeter.

For that, you should have a PhD (or near completion) in a relevant area (sociology/anthropology/genomics) and have experience with quantitative/qualitative research methods in the social sciences.

The project will explain how racism can infiltrate and co-opt core methodologies of Human Genomics. You will work closely with the PI to (i) offer an epistemological reconstruction of those methodologies; (ii) examine their assumptions and practices via interviews and embedded research; and (iii) assess ethical risks, as well as epistemic and non-epistemic forms of injustice that could arise via those assumptions and practices.

The project is highly interdisciplinary, including partners from Science and Technology Studies, Anthropology, Human Genomics, and the Philosophy of Race. You will engage with these partners, working closely with another Postdoctoral Research Associate with expertise in Ethics and Philosophy of Science. Together, the PI and the two Postdocs will co-author papers, organize workshops, public talks, a podcast, and edited volumes.

You will be part of the Department of Social and Political Sciences, Philosophy, and Anthropology. The Associated will be housed at Egenis, a vibrant research centre at the University of Exeter. You will be expected to participate in the regular activities of the centre. 

We strongly encourage the application of members of underrepresented groups.               

About you

You will:

• be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies
• possess a relevant PhD (or nearing completion) or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study
• be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes
• be able to conduct social sciences research using methods such as interviews and embedded participatory research

Please ensure you read the Job Description for full details of this role.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

Further information

Please contact Dr Celso Neto. C.Alves-Neto@exeter.ac.uk or (01392) 726396.

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