Job Description

Research Fellow in Research Ethics

We are looking to appoint a full-time Research Fellow at the Centre for Biomedical Ethics (CBmE), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS). The successful candidate will contribute to the project “New insights into the theory and practice of research ethics,” working under the project’s Principal Investigator, Assistant Professor G. Owen Schaefer.

This project is aimed at identifying key theoretical gaps in the literature on human subjects research, and conducting rigorous analysis not only to fill those gaps but also to explore reforms in the conduct and oversight of research. Illustrative examples include: articulating an account of ‘public interest’ that can apply to and justify certain types of research; assessing whether and the extent to which individuals have a moral right to control and withdraw data about them used in research; assessing whether expanding research recruitment is an appropriate means to secure patient access to scarce treatments; exploring whether and to what extent national partiality and priority have a justifiable role in international research; and applying the concept of privilege (as contrasted, perhaps, with vulnerability) to the context of research regulation and oversight. Those are indicative examples only, however; the precise topics within this remit have not been pre-determined, and part of the successful candidate’s duties will be to work with the PI to identify what areas will be most fruitful to investigate further.

The NUS Centre for Biomedical Ethics (CBmE) was established in September 2006 in the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine through a generous gift by the Chen Su Lan Trust. We work to develop understanding, capacity for good judgement, and sound ethical practice in the context of healthcare provision, biomedical science and health-related policy development.  CBmE is a thriving centre for learning, teaching and research relating to ethical and legal aspects of healthcare and biomedical sciences. We study issues of broad international significance with a particular interest in learning for and from Singapore and  Asia and work collaboratively with academic colleagues across and beyond NUS, and with key stakeholders in the healthcare sector and biomedical science and policy communities.  You can find out more about CBmE here: https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/cbme/

Qualifications

Roles & Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the successful candidate will be to:

• Conduct informal background reviews on contemporary topics in research ethics
• Work with the Principal Investigator to identify and analyse appropriate topics for analysis
• Draft, edit, and submit publications for peer-reviewed academic journals, in collaboration with the Principal Investigator
• Present work for feedback and dissemination at workshops or conferences locally and/or internationally (whether online or face-to-face)
• Contribute to the preparation of competitive grant applications to expand on the project’s aims and scope

In addition to these primary responsibilities, the successful candidate can expect to be given opportunities for undergraduate/graduate teaching and service/consultation related to their area of expertise.

The research position is for two years full time, subject to satisfactory performance. The successful applicant will report to Assistant Professor G. Owen Schaefer.

Selection Criteria

1. Essential Criteria
   1. A PhD or equivalent in a discipline relevant to conceptual/theoretical analysis of topics in research ethics, such as philosophy, bioethics, law or political science. (or evidence that such a qualification would be obtained before the position’s start date)
   2. Ability to produce compelling, original, coherent and thought-provoking academic work in English
   3. Ability to work collaboratively and collegially in a small team
2. Desirable criteria (NOT essential to apply to the position but will count in favour of candidates who possess these)
   1. Graduate coursework in bioethics or other subjects related to research ethics
   2. Research on topics in or related to research ethics
   3. Experience working in Singapore

NUS offers internationally competitive salary packages. The successful applicant will be offered an annual salary plus benefits commensurate with his or her experience and expertise. The project also has a limited budget for international conference travel.