Research Associate position in History of Social Science and Communication of Science

Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge,

Research Associates in History of Social Science and Communication of
Science

Salary: £27,428–£35,788 pa

We wish to appoint two full-time post-doctoral research associates, for
4-years from September 2012, to be part of a European Research Council
funded project 'Economics in the Public Sphere: USA, UK, France, Poland and
Brazil since 1945' (ERC Grant:283754). The project is directed by Dr Tiago
Mata and will comprise of a research team of five members, including one
research assistant/administrator and two doctoral students.

Candidates must have an outstanding record in a field related to the
project (history of social science, communications studies, and sociology
of knowledge) and an excellent knowledge of the economic and political
history of the country case selected. Preferred applicants will have
experience in one or more of the research methods: archival research, oral
history, ethnographic observation, content and textual analysis of media.
Candidates must have completed their doctorate prior to taking up the
appointment.

In addition to pursuing their own original research, post holders are
expected to help maintain a project website, organize and participate in
project seminars and workshops, and provide editorial assistance. They will
be expected to produce at least one research paper a year on a topic
relevant to the project and assist in compiling and editing a collected
volume of papers. All staff will be based in Cambridge.

Project description
The project studies 'economic journalism' as a site for the production of
public economic knowledge. The practices of journalists will be examined to
reveal how they parse competing claims of expertise by academic economists,
other social scientists and by laymen. The project takes a cross-national
approach examining the economic press the in USA, UK, France, Poland, and
Brazil. Cultural standards of trust, the history and economics of the
media, and the history of economics and social movements will be used to
explain the emergence of distinct national genres of 'economic journalism'.
The project offers an original perspective on how public knowledge of the
economy is an iterative process engaging journalists, academics and laymen
and explores the implications of this knowledge formation for the
possibilities of public support for economic action and policies.

Relevant excerpts from the original ERC proposal can be found at
www.hps.cam.ac.uk/jobs/econpublic.pdf

The application, in hard copy only, should consist of:
§ cover letter.
§ up-to-date CV, including publications.
§ 2 samples of original, written work in a related area (10,000 words).
§ 2 references: applicants should ask their referees to post or email
references to the Administrator , to arrive by
the closing date.
§ A description of your research plans and how your research will
contribute to the project (max 1,000 words).
§ Parts 1 and 3 of the University's CHRIS/6 application form.

Applications should be sent to Reception, Department of History and
Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge, Free School Lane, Cambridge
CB2 3RH. Informal enquiries may be made to Tiago Mata or
the Administrator , (01223) 334540.

§ Limit of tenure: 4 years, or until 31 August 2016
§ Quote reference: JN12891
§ Closing date: 1 March 2012
§ Interview date: 22 March 2012