Postdoctoral Fellowships in Science and Technology Studies at York
University

York University announces two, three-year postdoctoral Fellowships in
science and religion studies, funded by the Templeton Religion Trust grant
‘Clash Narratives in Context: Uncovering the Social and Cultural
Drivers of Contemporary Science vs. Religion Debates’.

This multidisciplinary social sciences and humanities research project run
in partnership with Coventry University (UK) and in association with the
British Library and British Science Association will employ four
intersecting approaches: qualitative social science field research; oral
history, historical and media discourse analysis; social psychology
experimental research; and a large scale quantitative survey of public
perceptions, attitudes and identity formation in the UK and Canada. The
research team will be co-directed by principal investigators Dr Fern
Elsdon-Baker (Coventry University, UK) and Prof. Bernard Lightman (York
University).

Postdoctoral Fellowship Strand 1:Qualitative Social Sciences research into
the drivers for Contemporary Science vs. Religion Debates’

This strand of research will seek to build a more comprehensive
understanding of scientists and publics' lived experiences of the
relationship between evolution and personal belief in Canada. The post
holder will be expected to work collaboratively with the whole Canada and
UK based team including Co-Investigator Dr Rebecca Catto and two UK based
postdoctoral research fellows who will be undertaking related comparative
social science/social psychology research in the UK.

In addition to engaging in research as part of the ‘Clash Narratives
in Context’ project, the Fellow will be expected to contribute to
team meetings, dissemination and networking activities for the grant
network in the UK and USA, including contributing the project based website
and helping to plan the workshop to take place at York in Spring 2015. The
successful applicant is expected to have completed his/her Ph.D. in social
studies of science, and/or of religion or an STS or sociology related
field, within the last five years and before taking up the fellowship.

Postdoctoral Fellowship Strand 2:Historical analysis of drivers for
Contemporary Science vs. Religion Debates’

This strand of research will include historiographical analysis and
archival research, which seeks to reframe and revisit existing historical
discourse in light of overall project findings. In particular it will
examine the role of the scientific naturalists[1] in the 19th and 20th
centuries. This core piece of analysis will build a more coherent
understanding of the origins of the ‘clash narratives’ between
science and evolution. The post holder will be expected to work
collaboratively with the whole Canada and UK based team including
Principal-Investigator Dr Fern Elsdon-Baker, a UK based postdoctoral
research fellows conducting recent history research in the UK and Canada
and an oral history researcher working within the National Life Stories
project team at the British Library.

In addition to engaging in research as part of the ‘Clash Narratives
in Context’ project, the Fellow will be expected to contribute to
team meetings, dissemination and networking activities for the grant
network in the UK and USA, including contributing the project based website
and helping to plan the workshop to take place at York in Spring 2015. The
Fellow will also work collaboratively with the John Tyndall Correspondence
Project centred at York University.  The successful applicant is expected
to have completed his/her Ph.D. in history, philosophy, or social studies
of science, or an STS related field, within the last five years and before
taking up the fellowship.  Preference will be given to candidates whose
work focuses on nineteenth or twentieth century British science. 

These awards provide a stipend equivalent to $33,500 plus limited benefits.
Questions about the research project and the application procedure should
be directed to Bernard Lightman: lightman@yorku.ca

Full applications will contain a cover letter that includes a description
of current research projects, an academic cv, a writing sample, and at
least three letters of reference. Applicants must also articulate how their
research projects fit within one of the two strands of the grant. 
Applications (digital only please) should be sent to Michael Anderson,
Administrative Assistant, Institute for Science and Technology Studies at:
m_ander@yorku.ca.

Deadline: Applications must be received by May 1st, 2014.  The successful
applicant will begin their appointment on October 1st, 2014.