The Department and Role
The Essex Autonomy Project (EAP) seeks to appoint a Senior Research Officer to participate in a research project on Mental Health and Justice (MHJ). The EAP is a multidisciplinary research project associated with the School of Philosophy and Art History and the Human Rights Centre at the Colchester Campus of the University of Essex. Its overarching aim is to investigate the ideal of self-determination (autonomy) in contexts of care (health care, social care, psychiatric care, etc.). The MHJ research is funded by the Wellcome Trust and is being carried out in collaboration with Kings College London. The postholder will provide research support for two ongoing projects. The first, which will be our primary focus in 2017, concerns standards of objectivity and evidence in proceedings at the interface between mental health care and justice. The second concerns reliance on the clinical concept of "insight" (roughly: awareness of pathology) in legal and administrative proceedings in which patient rights are adjudicated.
The Duties
We are seeking a Senior Research Officer to support the Principal Investigator on this project, Professor Wayne Martin. The main duties of this post will include conducting supervised and collaborative research in areas related to the project, particularly in connection with (a) the adjudication of contested evidence and contested objectivity-claims in legal proceedings, and (b) appeal to patient "lack-of-insight" or "lack-of-appreciation" in legal proceedings regarding mental health and mental capacity. The successful candidate will also be expected to write single-authored and/or co-authored research papers and technical reports presenting project findings as well as assist with the management of data and the organisation and delivery of the events linked to the project.
Qualifications and Skills Required
The successful candidate will have, or be near to completion of, an advanced degree (such as a PhD) in Philosophy, law, or a related discipline. You will also have demonstrable expertise in philosophy, law, and/or an area of public policy relevant to the research project as well as familiarity with international human rights principles.
There will be a requirement to travel around the UK and Europe for data gathering, writing workshops and collaborative work.
The proposed start date is 1 August 2017.
At the University of Essex internationalism is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally-oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries and a university where you can find the world in one place.
Please see the further detail link below for a full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application. Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please telephone the Resourcing Team (01206 874693/873521).
*Further detail: Senior Research Officer jobpack*More information: Working at the University
