Research Fellow in Public Engagement and Science Governance

Research Fellow in Public Engagement and Science Governance

• University of Kent

Salary: £48,822 to £54,893 per annum.

Contract:

Fixed-term contract, ends 31 August 2027.

Hours:

Full-time.

Location:

Canterbury (remote work may be supported, but there will be a need to attend the University of Kent's Canterbury campus regularly).

Are you an experienced researcher, with a passion for public engagement and the social dimensions of emerging science? Do you want to help shape new approaches to engaging diverse communities in conversations about genomic science?

We are seeking a Research Fellow to join the Wellcome
-funded project Tuning EARS for the Future:
Reframing Engagement in (Genomic) Science
. This project reframes public engagement, from cataloguing stakeholder views to addressing the relational gaps that shape how publics and stakeholders engage with emerging science.

Working closely with Professor Joy Y Zhang and a multidisciplinary research team, you will contribute to the development of innovative public dialogue approaches, collaborate with a range of stakeholders, and help to generate research that informs the future of engagement in genomic science. You will be experienced in collaborative research and public engagement, with comprehensive knowledge of emerging biomedical or genomic sciences and their associated social, ethical and policy dimensions.

As a Research Fellow you can expect to be involved in:

• Designing and conducting empirical research to support the successful delivery of the Tuning EARS for the Future project.
• Conducting in-depth media, policy, and secondary data analysis, synthesising findings to generate meaningful insights for the project.
• Co-leading high-impact academic publications that contribute to scholarly discourse and advance knowledge in the field.
• Playing a central role in curating, publicising and delivering engagement activities with diverse stakeholders.

What will you bring to the role?

• A PhD – or equivalent – in a relevant discipline such as sociology, science communication, anthropology, political science, bioethics, or a related field.
• Experience of independently designing and conducting rigorous empirical social research, with a strong publication record.
• Knowledge of the social, ethical and policy dimensions of emerging biomedical or genomic sciences.
• Experience of public engagement or science communication, with excellent collaborative and communication skills.

Closing date for applications:
Tuesday 28 July 2026.