JOB DESCRIPTION

GenØk Centre for Biosafety has a research position available in connection with a new EU project NewHoRRIzon.

The research project “Excellence in science and innovation for Europe by adopting the concept of Responsible Research and Innovation (NewHoRRIzon)” sets out to promote the acceptance of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) across all parts of the Horizon 2020 (H2020) funding program and beyond. It will work out the conceptual and operational basis to fully integrate RRI into European and national research and innovation (R&I) practice and funding.

The project will engage a wide-ranging group of R&I stakeholders in 18 Social Labs (covering all sections of H2020) to co-create tailor-made actions to stimulate an increased use and acceptance of RRI. The Social Labs will bring program staff, project coordinators, participants and other relevant experts and stakeholders together to: a) adjust existing definitions of RRI to develop a shared understanding; b) diagnose the state of RRI in each part of H2020; c) adapt existing activities as well as create and test new agreed pilot actions to promote the uptake of RRI in the specific program lines of H2020; d) transform the activities into narratives and widely disseminate them for use.

The researcher will be required to perform work in connection with several work packages of the NewHoRRIzon project. This work will include the following key tasks:

Lead work package 2 focused on the “Excellent Science” arm of H2020 (including the funding programs of the European Research Council, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Future and Emerging Technologies and Research Infrastructure). Here the researcher will have specific responsibility for the social labs on future and emerging technologies and as work package leader, also responsibility for coordinating and reporting on the work of other partners.
Perform the social labs connected to the sub-program of “Food” under work package 4 focused on “Societal Challenges”. This sub-program concerns food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy.
Participate in the common task of drafting a manual for the work of the social labs, which will include the methodological concepts, guidelines, and templates necessary for planning, carrying out, and reporting on the process. There will also be some work involved in monitoring the social labs and communicating with the various social lab managers and facilitators.
Write academic articles and policy briefs for RRI stakeholders based on the research findings.
Present at professional conferences and/or workshops to disseminate the idea of RRI and project’s research.

The position is offered within GenØk’s Society, Ecology and Ethics Department (SEED).The position will ideally start May 1st 2017, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position will be offered as a full-time four year position until 30.04.2021.

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Qualifications & Selection Criteria

A PhD in social science is required. While some level of experience with RRI or ethical, legal and/or social aspects of science and/or technology (i.e. ELSA or ELSI research) is preferred, work in related fields such as sociology, anthropology, philosophy, political science or science and technology studies is acceptable.
An excellent command of English, in both written and oral forms is required.
A demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary research (particularly across natural and social sciences) and experience addressing its unique challenges is important.
A demonstrated ability to organise workshops and facilitate discussion with mixed stakeholder groups is crucial for the position, as is the ability to then analyse and report on the material collected during such discussions and events.
Previous work on emerging technologies and/or the topic of food and agriculture will be given weight.
Previous experience working in European projects will be viewed favourably
The ability to work independently and creatively, as well as to make positive contributions to a team will be valued.

Application

The application must be submitted electronically via the "Apply for this job" button, before February 17th.

The applications should be written in English and include:

A 1-2 page statement of why you are interested in the position, how you meet the selection criteria and how your background, interests and/or expertise will be of benefit
A curriculum vitae that includes details of all previous research projects and publications, as well as any workshops, focus groups, and/or seminars organised
Certified copies of all academic degrees
An example of academic writing (e.g. a published article or copy of a Masters/PhD thesis)
The names and contact details of two referees

For more information contact:

SEED Coordinator & Project Leader: Fern Wickson, fern.wickson@genok.no, tlf. 77623137

Head of Administration: Katrine Jaklin, katrine.jaklin@genok.no, tlf. 77645546

ABOUT THE EMPLOYER

GenØk – Centre for Biosafety is the national competence centre for biosafety in Norway and was established in 1998 as an independent research foundation connected to the research environments at the of Tromsø and the Science Park. GenØk conducts research on social and ethical aspects of emerging bio- and nanotechnologies as well as their impacts on human health and the environment. It also provides policy advice to national and international governments and institutions on biosafety issues, and delivers capacity building for scientists, regulators and civil society organisers around the world in risk assessment and regulation and emerging technologies. The institute has approximately 40 employees. Read more at:www.genok.no

The position of employment will be at the GenØk offices in Tromsø, Norway. The city of Tromsø lies above the Arctic Circle and therefore offers spectacular auroras and snow in the winter and beautiful endless days of midnight sun in the summer. In addition to unlimited opportunities for outdoor activities all year round (e.g. skiing, hiking, fishing etc), the town has an international cosmopolitan atmosphere and a wide variety of cultural events.

The salary will be negotiated within the frames of the Norwegian State’s wage code 1109 (LR24) on the basis of the candidate’s level of education, experience and qualifications. As a GenØk employee you will receive the excellent social security provisions offered in Norway, including the Norwegian public health service and GenØk’s accident insurance and retirement benefits.

GenØk has human resource policy objectives that emphasize diversity, and therefore encourages qualified applicants to apply regardless of their gender, functional ability and national or ethnic background.

For more information and application, please click here.