Research Fellow (GRECO)
For informal enquiries, please contact Keith Hyams (Professor of Political Theory and Ethics) k.d.hyams@warwick.ac.uk
We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis, even where a position is advertised as full-time, unless there are operational or other objective reasons why it is not possible to do so.
This is an opportunity to join one of the UK’s top Departments of Politics and International Studies as a Research Fellow on the Horizon Europe project GRECO. The position would be suitable for a postdoctoral researcher or a doctoral candidate near the end of their PhD, with a background in qualitative and/or quantitative social science research methods and/or applied ethics or political philosophy.
The position is available full time for 2 years, starting as soon as possible by mutual agreement. Part time working / job-sharing may also be possible by mutual agreement. Additional work on related projects may also be available if desired. The successful candidate may take up the role on a hybrid working basis if preferred.
The purpose of the role is to assist the Warwick Project Leader, Professor Keith Hyams, on the ethics and social science aspects of the GRECO project. The Research Fellow will research and draft reports for the project, liaise with other project partners, and collaborate on new funding applications. In addition, the Research Fellow will participate in the wider activities of the research group, including broader research and policy impact projects and a podcast series.
GRECO Project Description
GRECO will introduce the food packaging industry to groundbreaking bio-based, SSbD, and fully circular PLA-based materials, that meet diverse application needs. These alternatives aim to replace fossil-based, complex, and multimaterial structures prevalent in the industry, improving packaging end-of-life through biodegradation in various environments like industrial and home compostability, anaerobic, marine, and soil. The design will ensure recyclability and avoiding of chemical interactions that hinder overall biodegradation. GRECO aims to demonstrate the life cycle and techno-economic feasibility of greener & safer bioplastics value chains for the food packaging sector, based on a safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) strategy. To this aim, innovative bio-based, biodegradable, and recyclable packaging based on new PLA copolymers, coatings, additives and catalysts accompanied by surface treatments will be produced. Regulatory compliance will be demonstrated while contributions to new or modified standards and proper labelling will be proposed. Digital tools will drive the developments from the simulation and modelling scopes, and social sciences and humanities (SSH) will provide relevant information related to social perception and acceptance.
GRECO is a collaboration between research, innovation and policy partners across Europe. The Research Fellow position offers an excellent opportunity to collaborate and network with project partners on both research and policy development. The Research Fellow will work on Work Packages around ethics and user engagement as part of the project.
The Research Fellow will work on the following, including drafting three deliverables (reports) for the project:
- Research ethics issues arising across the project as whole, including social research involving human subjects, health and safety, and AI ethics. (If the Research Fellow does not have a background in ethics then others in the research group will be able to support on this.)
- Consumer engagement, including organising and analysing two online workshops and online surveys with users, to understand user needs and perceptions about the new GRECO packaging products.
- Developing recommendations for labelling on the basis of the consumer engagement activities and relevant regulations.
- Liaising with other project partners, participating in project meetings (including monthly videoconference meetings and an annual in person project workshop), and other project administration.
- Undertaking original research within the Research Fellow’s area of expertise and publishing in peer reviewed journals, including both single authored articles and articles co-authored with the project lead.
- Participating in broader research group activities, including collaborating on new funding proposals and broader policy engagement and impact.
Interdisciplinary Ethics Research Group
The Interdisciplinary Ethics Research Group (warwick.ac.uk/ierg) in Warwick’s Department of Politics and International Studies is a dynamic team with a strong commitment to collaborative working, capacity building, and an emphasis on using research to achieve real world policy impact and public engagement. We have a broad portfolio of ethics and/or social science (e.g. user engagement) roles in collaborative funded research projects across topics including health, sustainability, AI, democracy, security, and technology. The Research Fellow will be a full part of the team and will collaborate with others in broader research group activities, including ongoing research funding applications, policy impact activities, and a podcast. Research Fellows are encouraged and supported to pursue their own research agenda and interests, while at the same time engaging flexibly in different research topics as part of new funding applications.
About You
- You should have an academic background in (one or more of) the following areas: qualitative or quantitative social science research methods, applied ethics, or political philosophy.
- You will have a PhD (or working towards a PhD) in a relevant field.
- You should be able to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team to deliver the common objectives of the GRECO project and of the Interdisciplinary Ethics Research Group more broadly.
- You will have the ability and willingness to work flexibly across different research areas and grant applications on applied ethics and/or social science methods beyond the specific area of the GRECO project.
- You will be an accomplished communicator capable of working effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers.
- You will possess excellent planning and time management skills.
- You will be motivated both by an interest in academic research and by a desire to work with policymakers, the public and others to achieve research-based policy impact in the real world.
If you are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD but have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant at the top of level 5 of the University grade structure. Upon receipt of evidence of the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of level 6 of the University grade structure.
For further information regarding the skills required for this role please see the personal specification section of the attached job description.
About the Department
PAIS is one of the UK’s leading Politics and International Studies departments: in the 2024 The Times/The Sunday Times Good University Guide PAIS ranked 4th of the 80 UK Politics Departments; in REF2021 and REF2014 we were awarded 100% 4* for research environment; and since 2016 PAIS has ranked as number 1 or 2 for ‘overall satisfaction’ in Russell Group for Politics in the National Student Survey (NSS).
Our organisational aim is to be a diverse and inclusive community of students, academic and professional services colleagues that is geared towards embedding the values of dignity, equality, freedom, and justice in our practices, including widening opportunity for both students and staff.
PAIS values diversity, aims to challenge discrimination, and promotes equality. We are committed to strengthening our equality, diversity and inclusion agenda in relation to our community (students and staff), our research and teaching practices, and our curricula. Applications are particularly encouraged from groups that are presently under-represented in PAIS, including individuals who identify as Black, Asian and other under-represented ethnicities, women, those who are disabled, those who identify as LGBTQUA+ people, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. We are committed to supporting all our staff in their work in PAIS.
To find out more about the department please visit our website: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/
To find out more about Warwick and the University’s strategy please visit: https://warwick.ac.uk/about/strategy/
About the University
Born in the 60s with a mindset of boldness, imagination and collaboration, the University of Warwick is a world-leading research-intensive university with the highest academic and research standards. We’re one of the world’s top universities, ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK*, with 92% of our research assessed to be ‘world leading or internationally excellent’**.
You'll be joining a diverse, innovative and globally connected community committed to igniting real world progress. Here at Warwick, we offer you opportunities to follow your ambitions as long as you bring the energy and determination to succeed.
*QS World University Rankings 2024
** Research Excellence Framework 2021
To find out more about us visit our website.
How to Apply
CLOSING DATE: Wednesday 18th June 2025 at 23:55 (BST)
To apply, please click ‘Apply’ below and submit an application form by the closing date.
Please plan for any potential delays as you will not be able to submit an application form past this deadline (even if you opened the form at, say, 23:30).
- Your CV should include your employment history (including your most recent employment), your education history, and any other relevant experience.
- Your cover letter should explain your motivations for applying to the role. It should also explain, using examples, how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the Job Description PDF document below. Please note that all essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview. Please also describe your experience and achievements so far, including research, any experience of working with stakeholders and/or collaborators, and any experience of policy impact and engagement work.
- Please include a list of publications to the application form and provide the names of three expert referees.
- Please also include a published or unpublished writing sample of approx. 5000 – 10000 words.
You can also include details of any career breaks you may have taken (e.g. parental/caring/long-term sick leave, part-time work, secondments) or any periods where you were unable or restricted to work because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please see here for guidance on writing a cover letter. We highly recommend using individual criteria as headers and explaining below, using examples, how you meet the criterion, though you are free to format the letter as you wish.
To streamline our hiring processes, we can only accept applications submitted via our official careers webpage, warwick-careers.tal.net.
- Interview Date: To be confirmed
- Desired Start Date: 1st August 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter
What we Offer
We will provide you with a great range of benefits, which include an attractive pension scheme, 30 days holiday plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. We offer a generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy, and onsite childcare facilities.
We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer you access to flexible working, for more information click here.
We are proud to say that we are a Living Wage employer.
If you are considering relocating to the UK, read our Relocation Guide to find out more about what Warwick has to offer and what might be involved in the process.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Warwick is committed to building an organisation of mutual respect and dignity, promoting a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive working and learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. Where possible, we go beyond legislation to provide a place where everyone can thrive, supporting all staff to achieve their full potential. We aspire to remove economic, social, and cultural barriers that may otherwise prevent people from succeeding.
We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all communities regardless of culture, background, age, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion/belief, or sexual or romantic orientation. To find out more about our social inclusion work at Warwick visit our webpages here.
The University currently holds a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award, Athena Swan Sliver Award and a Disability Smart Bronze Award. Further information on all of the University's Awards and Accreditations can be found here. The University of Warwick is also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.
Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)
The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.
In line with the DBS Code of Practice, the successful candidates for any roles involving regulated activity, will be subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level. The University will take all necessary measures to ensure that any individual subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group specified (i.e. children and/or adults).
We expect all employees, volunteers, and partners to share our commitment to safeguarding.
Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders
The University undertakes not to discriminate against anyone who makes a disclosure relating to a conviction. The information disclosed at application stage is only visible to the central DBS team (i.e. not recruiting managers) to ensure there is no bias during the shortlisting process.
Job Description
JD - Research Fellow (GRECO) (110355).pdf – 87KB Opens in a new window
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