Research Fellow

This is a 12-month postdoctoral research position on an exciting collaborative project jointly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), involving Harvard University and the University of Warwick. On the U.S. side, the lead investigators are Fiery Cushman and Arthur Le Pargneux in Harvard's Department of Psychology. On the UK side, where the post will be based, the lead investigators are Nick Chater and Hossam Zeitoun in the Behavioural Science Group at Warwick Business School.

Over the past two years, the project team has carried out a broad programme of experimental and computational research investigating contractualist theories of moral reasoning, focusing primarily on human–human social interaction. The work has combined online behavioural experiments, game-theoretic paradigms, vignette studies and Bayesian computational modelling. The successful candidate will join the existing research team and contribute to the next phase of the project through experimental research, computational modelling, or both, depending on their expertise. The final stage of the project is also expected to explore the implications of this work for human–AI interaction.

If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of Grade FA5 (£35,302 per annum). Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of Grade FA6 (£36,320 per annum).

We are seeking a dynamic, enthusiastic and intellectually curious interdisciplinary researcher with a background in psychology, philosophy, cognitive science, computer science or a related discipline. Applicants should have strong experimental skills, strong computational modelling skills, or both. A demonstrated ability to carry research projects through to publication will be a significant advantage.

The post will be based in the Behavioural Science Group at Warwick Business School, one of Europe's leading centres for behavioural science research. The Group brings together researchers from across the cognitive and social sciences, including economists, psychologists, and data scientists. It also has close links across the University through the Behavioural Science Spotlight, which connects behavioural scientists from Warwick Business School, the Department of Psychology, the Department of Economics and many other departments across the University.

Benefits include an attractive pension scheme, a generous holiday allowance plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. A generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy and onsite childcare facilities are also offered. Flexible working options are available. The University is a Living Wage employer.