[spsp-members] 2 Postdocs in Philosophy of AI/Science at York
Mike Stuart via spsp-members
I'm hiring two postdocs as part of my 5-year ERC-funded project on the
impact of AI on science. Details can be found here
<https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DRN637/research-associate-x-2>, and are posted
below. Please share with anyone who might be interested!
I'd be happy to chat informally about the project and the position by email
(mike....@york.ac.uk).
All the best,
Mike
*University of York *- Department of Philosophy
Location: York
Salary: £37,694 to £42,254 per year
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract
Placed On: 18th May 2026
Closes: 15th June 2026
Job Ref: 15017
<https://jobs.york.ac.uk/vacancy/research-associate-x-2-610530.html#utm_source=jobsacuk&utm_medium=jobboard&utm_content=610530&utm_campaign=online_recruitment>
We are advertising for *two postdoctoral researcher associates*. The
positions are fixed for three years, and are offered as part of the ERC
project “Scientific Progress and Artificial Intelligence: A
Capabilities-Based Ethnographic Epistemology” (PACE), run by Mike Stuart
out of the Philosophy Department.
*Start date*: September 1, 2026 (negotiable)
Philosophers of science have tended to focus more on theories and models
than (cap)abilities. But scientific abilities raise a host of interesting
and pressing issues: what are scientific abilities, how are they trained,
how do tools focus and extend them, which abilities are relevant and how
does this change over time/context? The goal of this ERC-funded project is
to produce and analyze new data on scientific ability by looking at the
impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on science.
The project is motivated by three hypotheses:
1. Scientists care about extending and empowering scientific abilities
(like the abilities to interpret data, measure and stabilize phenomena,
predict, imagine, pipette, keep cell cultures alive, etc.);
2. Scientists are *right *to care about such abilities – they matter; and
3. AI is affecting (positively and negatively) those abilities.
Key research questions for the project include (but are not limited to):
- What scientific problems is AI being introduced to solve, and why?
- Which abilities are being empowered, depowered, or otherwise changed
by AI, and how?
- How can we improve science education with respect to developing
strong, relevant abilities and ethical science?
- How do improved abilities constitute and/or work together with more
traditional signs of progress like knowledge and understanding?
Each postdoctoral researcher will be trained in the use of qualitative
methods, and will be in charge of one case study. As part of an ERC
project, candidates will enjoy generous funding for travel and other
expenses, benefits, and career support.
We are looking for *two people* who are:
- enthusiastic about investigating how AI is changing scientific practice
- excited to work in a team
- willing to learn and use sociological methods to address philosophical
questions
*For informal enquiries:* please contact Mike Stuart (mike....@york.ac.uk
).
Applications should include a CV, a writing sample (maximum 10 000 words),
contact information for two referees, and a short expression of interest
(up to 500 words) that highlights the candidates’ research interests and
how they connect with the project.
*Application deadline*: *June 15, 2026*
With help from the project partners (a number of experts in philosophy of
science associated with the ERC project), the PI will create a longlist of
candidates. Candidates on the longlist will be interviewed in July. After
this, a shortlist will be created, and a second round of interviews will be
held.
The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can
ALL be ourselves.
We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black,
Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the
University.
We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and
inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork
<https://twitter.com/EqualityatYork>
As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and
proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum
(essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview. Read
more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability
Confident scheme
<https://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hr/policies/equality-diversity/disability-confident/>
.
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