Job details
Posted 20 October 2025 | Salary Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum | Location Glasgow | Job Type Research and Teaching | Reference 184814 | Expiry 09 November 2025 at 23:45
Job Description
College of Arts and Humanities
School of Humanities
Research Associate in Philosophy
Vacancy Reference: 184814
Salary: Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum
We have an opportunity for a Research Associate to make a leading contribution to the KNOW-HOW research project, funded by European Research Council Advanced Grant 101199255 – PI (J Adam Carter), based at the University of Glasgow’s COGITO Epistemology Research Centre. The successful candidate will produce high-quality research in epistemology in accordance with the project’s aims. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research proposals as well as to undertake organizational tasks in the service of managing the project under the direction of the PI.
Project overview: KNOW-HOW: A new framework for theoretical and practical control across intelligence domains
Knowing what is true is valuable, but practical knowledge – knowledge of how to do things – is equally critical. Having such ‘know-how’ enables us to succeed in action, and achieve our goals. Currently, little consensus exists across philosophical and empirical disciplines about the nature of know-how and what is involved in exercising it. KNOW-HOW aims to make a major advance here by developing a comprehensive framework for understanding know-how and its place in a wider web of concepts we rely on to understand and describe intelligent behavior across a range of activities we care about and depend on. A novel hypothesis to be explored is that know-how disposes us not just to success but to creditworthy control. This control, it is proposed, takes a theoretically unified form in both intentional action and judgment, revealing how know-how enhances performance in a structurally symmetrical way when we deliberate and when we act. With minimal metaphysical commitments, the framework applies to both biological and artificial intelligence, avoiding ad hoc explanations and preserving theoretical unification across areas of philosophy that have yet to benefit from each other's shared resources. KNOW-HOW will put our understanding of know-how on a new footing, impacting academic research across disciplines.
For informal enquiries, please contact Prof J Adam Carter, Adam.Carter@glasgow.ac.uk.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and has funding for up to 24 months (with an anticipated start date of 5th January 2026).
Job Purpose
To make a leading contribution as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on the KNOW-HOW research project, funded by European Research Council Advanced Grant 101199255 – PI (J Adam Carter), based at the University of Glasgow’s COGITO Epistemology Research Centre. The successful candidate will produce high-quality research in epistemology in accordance with the project’s aims. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research proposals as well as to undertake organizational tasks in the service of managing the project under the direction of the PI.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
* Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and the research strategy of the COGITO Epistemology Research Centre, Philosophy, School of Humanities, and the College of Arts.
* Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
* Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of the COGITO Epistemology Research Centre and of the School of Humanities and College of Arts, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
* Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project and subject area, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
* Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
* Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.
* Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the Research Centre/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. Academic and Industrial Partners).
* Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the Centre/School/College.
* Take the lead in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
* Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the Cogito Research Centre and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.
* Make a leading contribution to Teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with PI.
* Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field.
* Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
* Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School, Head of Department and PI.
* Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together
Knowledge/ Qualifications
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
* Essential:
A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).
* A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within epistemology.
* A3 Knowledge of project-specific technical models, equipment or techniques.
* Skills Essential:
C1 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.
* Desirable:
D1 Strong organisational and communication skills, including project management, event planning, speaker liaison, and promotional activities.
* D2 Ability to draft clear, persuasive research proposals and supporting documentation.
* D3 Competence with digital tools for hybrid events, publicity, and project administration.
* Essential:
Experience
* E1 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
* E2 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.
* E3 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.
* E4 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.
* E4 Experience in undertaking independent research.
* E5 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.
* E6 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage.
* Desirable:
D1 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
* D2 Experience organising academic conferences or workshops (planning, logistics, travel/accommodation, advertising, on-the-day support).
* D3 Experience contributing to competitive research funding applications, both individual and collaborative.
* D4 Experience with research project management, coordinating across teams, managing project communications, and preparing reports for funders.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum. This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and has funding for up to 24 months (with an anticipated start date of 5th January 2026).
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
* A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
* An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension and other benefits.
* A flexible approach to working.
* A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University.
We believe that Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are welcome from across our communities, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups and other protected characteristics. Read more about equality and diversity at the University.
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Seniority level
* Entry level
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* Full-time
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