Job Description

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 fellow will be one of a collaborative team of four postdoctoral research fellows based in Asia, Africa, South America and Europe working on the Epidemic Ethics project led by the Oxford Ethox Centre and the World Health Organization. Epidemics Ethics is a collaborative global bioethics research network which aims to rapidly identify, analyse, and help to address ethical issues arising in public health emergencies. The Epidemic Ethics research fellow based in Asia at NUS CBmE will undertake individual and collaborative research projects on issues in infectious disease ethics as part of the Epidemic Ethics team.

The successful applicant will report to Dr Voo Teck Chuan, Assistant Professor at CBmE; and Dr Susan Bull, Senior Researcher at the Ethox Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford and Programme Manager of Epidemics Ethics. 

The fellowship position is a fixed term post for 12 months.

About Epidemic Ethics

Epidemics Ethics is a major new collaboration between the Ethox Centre and the World Health Organization to establish a global network of bioethicists and stakeholders engaged in public health preparedness and response to public health emergencies. The Epidemics Ethics network will develop a range of research projects, online resources and interactive digital fora which are together capable of providing real-time, contextually-appropriate support to assist institutions, researchers, regulators and reviewers, policy-makers, communities, and responders in identifying, analysing and addressing ethical issues arising in the context of global health emergencies.

About CBmE

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/

Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the successful candidate will be to:

• Develop, manage and undertake individual and collaborative research projects on Epidemics Ethics priority areas in collaboration with the Epidemics Ethics team, including developing new research methodologies and reviewing and refining theories as appropriate
• Work with the Epidemics Ethics team to respond to requests for ethics support and advice from across the Epidemics Ethics network and to develop and disseminate relevant capacity-strengthening resources
• Organise engagement activities on relevant ethical issues with the support of the Epidemics Ethics network and WHO
• Regularly co-author research publications and policy briefings on Epidemics Ethics priority areas
• Present research findings at relevant conferences, meetings and workshops
• Act as a source of information and advice to members of the Epidemics Ethics team
• Develop ideas for new research projects and generating research income, and present detailed research proposals to senior researchers in the Epidemics Ethics team

Selection criteria

1. Essential criteria

• Hold a PhD in a discipline relevant to bioethics (e.g. bioethics, philosophy, sociology, social science, anthropology, political science, health law); or a PhD in Medicine or Public Health, with a Masters in a discipline relevant to bioethics.
• Demonstrated expertise in conducting and reporting on relevant research, commensurate with stage of career
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to build productive relationships and partnerships within and beyond the Epidemics Ethics network
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including attention to detail
• Ability to effectively communicate about complex concepts with a range of stakeholders and audiences
• Highly self-motivated, capable of working independently as well as part of a team, including taking initiative when necessary and prioritising effectively to meet deadlines
• Willingness to travel if feasible and necessary
• Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation

2. Desirable criteria

• Experience and understanding of ethical issues in global health and / or public health emergencies
• Experience of working in the field of bioethics using empirical bioethics methods
• Experience in cross-cultural communication and working with an international, multicultural team
• Experience of effective communication using digital media channels

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. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis beginning end June, until a suitable candidate is found. Please submit your application containing the following:

1. A cover letter with statements that explicitly address the selection criteria above
2. Curriculum vitae with contact details of three referees
3. A writing sample
4. Current and expected salary

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.