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 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. Research results are siloed across epistemology, action theory, philosophy of language, and cognitive science, and fundamental disagreement persists about whether research questions about know-how primarily concern cognitive processes or behavioral manifestations. These theoretical barriers hinder our ability to recognize and utilize know-how effectively. 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

1.        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.

2.        Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

3.        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.

4.        Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

5.        Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

6.        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.

7.        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).

8.        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.

9.        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.

10.     Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the Cogito Research Centre and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.

11.     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.

12.     Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field.

13.     Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

14.     Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School, Head of Department and PI.

15.     Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/ Qualifications

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.

Experience 

Essential:

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:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.