PhD Studentships in Applied Ethics 2018-19

We are pleased to announce two new PhD studentships in Applied Ethics to start in the academic year 2018-2019.

This award is conditional on successful application for admission to study for a PhD in the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre.

Applications must be received by 9th March 2018 to be guaranteed consideration.  After that time we will continue to accept applications until the places are filled or until 23rd April 2018 (whichever is sooner).  Interviews are likely to be held in the week beginning 9th April 2018 for applications received by 9th March 2018.  Interviews for later applications will be arranged as necessary.

We welcome applications from all areas of applied ethics and political philosophy whether interdisciplinary or not.  Research undertaken by our current and recently graduated PhD students includes projects on climate change ethics and sustainability, post conflict justice, the problem of dirty hands, the ethics of international trade, engineering ethics, virtue ethics and military conduct, the ethics of healthcare resource allocation, the role of empathy in a virtuous life, the ethics of surveillance, assisted suicide, and moral responsibility.    

For more information on the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre see www.idea.leeds.ac.uk.

Studentship in Applied Ethics 
The Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre intends to offer a Studentship in Applied Ethics, broadly construed, to a high quality candidate for its full-time or part-time PhD programme. The studentship is tenable for 3yr (f-t) or 5yr (p-t) from September/October 2018 and has both tuition and maintenance components: academic fees will be will be covered at the UK/EU rate and the maintenance provided at the standard Research Councils UK stipend rate. The award will be made conditionally on successful application for admission to study for PhD in the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre. This application is made through the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science (see admission procedure below). Renewal of the studentship each year is subject to satisfactory progress towards PhD completion.

Candidates for PhD in the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre are able to take advantage of a professional training and development scheme for postgraduates which is provided through the Faculty of Arts “LEAP” Training Hub.

As part of their professional development, the Centre will require the successful applicant to undertake teaching for the Centre, after having undertaken any necessary training, which is paid at an hourly rate in addition to the studentship stipend. The normal expectation will be in the region of 40 hours teaching a year, but up to 80 hours a year may be available. The studentship holder will be also be expected to take a full role in the life of the Centre from the Research Activities through to the Professional Ethics Network. 

The Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre also offers its PhD students financial support for conference attendance.

It is desirable that applicants have a Master’s level qualification in philosophy, but those who have a very good first degree in philosophy, or a master’s level or very good first degree in a discipline relevant to the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre, and clear aptitude for the study of applied ethics, will also be considered.

Applications are welcome in all areas of applied ethics. The Centre has research interests and supervisory expertise in a wide range of areas, and particular strengths in: 

• Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
• Moral psychology (especially desire, emotion, and rationality) and virtue theory;
• Ancient ethics (especially Plato and Aristotle); 
• Contemporary moral theory;
• The demandingness of ethics (and gradability in moral theories);
• Political philosophy (especially political obligation);
• Emotions and ethics - the role of emotions in correct responses to ethical considerations;
• Moral development;
• Practical wisdom, practical judgment and moral expertise;
• Ethical issues in leadership and influence;
• The ethics of persuasion, including (but not limited to) rhetoric, advocacy, advertising, the public interest. 
• The ethical significance of pleasure and pain (e.g. in public policy, in ethical goal-setting);
• Moral luck and punishment;
• Exploitation; 
• Biomedical & Health Care Ethics;
• Psychiatric ethics (including vice and mental illness); 
• Informed consent;
• Business ethics and the purpose of business; 
• Professional ethics (and engineering ethics in particular);
• Integrity (in individuals and in organisations); 
• Climate change and responsibility;
• Privacy and surveillance issues, including the ethics of big data;
• Media ethics

Background of the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre 
Our vision is to be a world-class centre for excellence in teaching and research in professional and applied ethics. Founded in 2005 with an initial injection of nearly £3million from HEFCE, it is now self-sustaining, working in partnership with host disciplines across the University to develop UG and PG teaching in applied ethics. It also has a role in supporting such developments nationally. Since its inception it has developed significant Research and Professional Ethics Consultancy activity and has a lively programme of research seminars, research workshops and conferences to which its PGR students are expected to contribute. It has attracted charitable, professional body and learned society support for these events.

The Centre currently teaches in the following areas: Medical Ethics, Engineering Ethics, Business Ethics, Ethics and Nanotechnology, Media Ethics, Environmental Ethics, Computing Ethics, Ethics in Dentistry, Professional Ethics and Research Ethics. It would be an advantage for the successful candidate’s research to contribute to our expertise in at least one of these areas.

Application Procedure
1. Summary Person Specification
Applicants must hold at least a good first degree in philosophy or a Master’s level or good first degree in a discipline relevant to the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre, and clear aptitude for the study of applied ethics.
It is desirable that applicants have a Master’s level qualification in philosophy. 
Applicants should be able to demonstrate their ability to contribute to the broader success of the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre, including potential contributions to the research environment, teaching and professional ethics consultancy work of the Centre. 
Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the University's English Language requirements. Your score must be no more than two years old by your official start date at the University of Leeds 

2. Application to undertake PhD study
To apply for admission to the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre, you use the standard University postgraduate research application form. The application is made through the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science and information on such admissions can be found on the "How to apply - research degrees" webpage. 

Applications should be made to the “Philosophy” subject area. Please make it clear in your application that you are applying to the “IDEA centre”.

 Applicants should provide with their application:  

a 500 word PhD-proposal (you are strongly advised to read the guidance);
transcripts/certificates of academic qualifications completed and/or in progress; and
a sample of written work which should constitute a philosophical essay on a question of your choice which must be no less than 3-4,000 words. 
Applicants should also arrange for three academic referees to submit references directly to the PRHS Postgraduate Office.  References should be on headed paper and sent from a university email account. The referee must state how long they have known you and in what capacity as well as expressing an opinion on your ability to undertake a doctorate.

3. Application for the Studentships
Applicants MUST first submit the relevant study application form(s) and be in receipt of a University BANNER ID Number (Student ID Number) to be eligible for an Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre Studentship.  On-line applicants automatically receive their University BANNER ID Number by email; paper applicants should request their University BANNER ID Number from rp_applications@adm.leeds.ac.uk

To apply for the Studentship the following documents must also be submitted to the PRHS Postgraduate Office by the deadline:

 a two page CV; and
a 300 word statement setting out the ways in which they see themselves contributing to the life and broader success of the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre.
References and supporting documents for the Studentship application can be uploaded with the application to study documents.  Alternatively, they should be emailed to prhspgr@leeds.ac.uk or mailed to G.01 Botany House, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT.  

For enquires on the application process please contact the postgraduate research officer. Tel:+44 (0)113 343 2776, Email: prhspgr@leeds.ac.uk

For academic enquiries about Postgraduate study at IDEA CETL, please contact Dr Jamie Dow J.Dow@leeds.ac.uk or Dr. Elizabeth Ellis E.A.Ellis@leeds.ac.uk, copying to Paul McShane P.P.McShane@leeds.ac.uk

The closing date to guaranteed consideration is 9th March 2018.  After that time we will continue to accept applications until the places are filled or until 23rd April 2018 (whichever is sooner).  The award is conditional on a successful application for admission to study for a PhD in the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre. Interviews are likely to be held in the week beginning 9th April 2018 for applications received by 9th March 2018.  Interviews for later applications will be arranged as necessary.

The University of Leeds promotes excellence in teaching, learning and research.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Telephone and email for deaf applicants only: disability@leeds.ac.uk, 0113 343 3927

All information is available in alternative formats - please contact 0113 343 5771