The Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge, seeks to appoint a two-year post-doctoral Research Associate in history of biology, to contribute to the multi-centre project 'Putting the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis to the Test', which is contextualizing, clarifying and evaluating recent calls for extensions to the 'Modern Synthesis' in evolutionary biology.

The early years of the Modern Synthesis have been studied in some detail, and yet its identity and effects are controversial and a series of historical questions about its subsequent development remain open, especially for the 1960s to 1990s. The work of this researcher will contribute towards a deeper understanding of continuity and change, and of resistance to change, within the field. We are open to a variety of historical approaches, and to work that might highlight the importance variously of concepts and practices, images and instruments, research programmes and research networks, disciplines and learned societies, communication among specialists and to wider publics, including in anniversaries and other forms of commemoration, and via teaching in schools.

The successful candidate will work full-time on this project, producing at least three research papers over the tenure of their position. They will also be expected to contribute to the project in other ways, including liaising with project workers in other centres, participating in project seminars and workshops, helping to organize workshops, and contributing to the project website. The successful candidate will have the ability to work reliably and efficiently to deadlines and targets. They will work alongside a postdoctoral researcher in philosophy of biology (already appointed) and will be mentored by members of the Cambridge HPS team, which includes Professor Tim Lewens, Professor Nick Hopwood and Dr Marta Halina. They will also have the opportunity to collaborate with members of the Cambridge Zoology Department team, led by Professors Rufus Johnstone and Paul Brakefield, as well as with the large international network of researchers involved in this £5.7 million, multi-centre grant funded by the John Templeton Foundation.

Candidates should have: An outstanding record in the history of biology; an excellent knowledge of diverse approaches to evolution from a historical perspective; completed their doctorate by the time of taking up the appointment.

Salary: £28,982-£37,768

Closing date: 4 November 2016; interviews: mid-November; start date: 1 January 2017 (or asap thereafter)

For more information and to apply: http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/11526/