Position Details

College of Life and Environmental Sciences 

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974

Grade: 7 

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to December 2026 

Closing date: 21st May 2024 

Travel may be required for this role

Background

To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of  activities within an established research project. The successful candidate will be a research fellow on EPIC, a project on epistemic injustice in healthcare funded by a Wellcome Discovery Award and will research the notion of epistemic injustice under the supervision of Professor Matthew Broome in the Institute of Mental Health, School of Psychology.

Role Summary

• Work within the EPIC project (epistemic injustice in healthcare), to study, clarify, and operationalise the notion of epistemic injustice to be tested in six subsequent case studies in the healthcare context.
• Develop and lead an empirical case study in epistemic injustice in young people with psychosis.
• Apply expertise in relevant areas of psychology and psychiatry, including qualitative research, philosophy of medicine/psychiatry, and ethics.
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results from existing literature and project case studies.
• Contribute to creating opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations with experts on the themes of the project, i.e., epistemic injustice in healthcare, and liaise with other researchers on the project to pursue the aims of EPIC. 
• Contribute to the dissemination of project outputs and to public engagement activities on the themes of the project via academic publications and presentations at conferences, but also the press and social media channels.
• Work with the wider EPIC project team and attend project meetings.
• Produce academic outputs from the research.

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for the funded research, under the supervision of Professor Broome and Professor Bortolotti, and with our collaborators Professors Larkin and McCabe.
• Contribute to publications and other outputs as determined by the EPIC management team.
• Analyse and interpret data from existing literature and project case studies.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, in research seminars, international conferences, summer schools and other venues.
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods for the study of epistemic injustice.
• Contribute to the organisation of Birmingham-based project events, including workshops and international conferences.
• Participate regularly and meaningfully in wider events associated with Project EPIC (such as reading groups and project events.)
• Undertake some management and administration tasks arising from the project research.
• Be willing and able to travel for project meetings outside Birmingham.
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration.
• Contribute to public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, under the supervision of Professor Broome.
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters.
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
• Promote equality and diversity and act as a role model by fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Input into some postgraduate teaching as part of the IMH/School of Psychology, e.g., the Philosophy and Ethics module of the MSc Mental Health.

Person Specification

• First degree in Philosophy, Psychology or Medicine, and with a PhD (or one near to completion). 
• High level analytical capability.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones.
• Skilled in both qualitative research methods and in philosophy and ethics of mental health.
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
• Experience of working with young people with psychotic experiences.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes. 
• Capacity to contribute to the planning and organising of the project activities (research, dissemination, and public engagement.) 
• Capacity to co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively, in a team and to engage meaningfully with team members from other disciplines.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

DBS required 

Pre-employment OH&DBS

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Informal enquiries to Matthew Broome, email: m.r.broome@bham.ac.uk 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.