Job Description

Grade UE07 41,064 - 48,822 per annum

CMVM / MGPHS / USHER Institute

Full time: 35 hours per week

Fixed Term contact: available from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2031

Location: Usher Institute, Edinburgh Bioquarter


We will also consider requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular (weekly) on-campus working. The Usher Institute expects a minimum of 40%on campus working.

The Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society at the Usher Institute within The University of Edinburgh is looking for a 5-year postdoctoral Fellow to work on the Wellcome-funded Discovery Award Medicine without Doctors.


Please note this role can be appointed at Grade UE07, step 3 - 43,482 per annum at a maximum.

The Opportunity:

Medicine without Doctors is a six-year Wellcome-funded project exploring the changing authority of medical practices through four case studies: LGBTQ+ health, artificial intelligence, abortion care and the physician associate. The project is underpinned by two theoretical pillars: the sociology of care and the philosophy of voice. To do this work, the project brings together a multidisciplinary and sector-spanning team of investigators, from philosophy, socio-legal studies, STS, history, sociology and design, with the aim of creating new, interdisciplinary knowledge. In this project, we are also excited to develop and draw on play methodologies collaboratively.


We are looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow to undertake work in relation to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Physician Associate (PA) components of the project. In collaboration with Dr Nayha Sethi (line manager) and Dr Lukas Engelmann (co-I), the postholder will be responsible for developing their own 5-year research project which compliments and combines two of the project's case studies: Artificial Intelligence and Physician Associates. The postholder is asked to develop a research project that creatively cuts across these unfolding challenges to medical authority and which should align with the Medicine without Doctors wider aims and methodologies, including a focus on project themes care and voice, and creative methodologies.


Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Nayha Sethi, Senior Lecturer, Nayha.Sethi@ed.ac.uk.


More information about Medicine without Doctors can be found here .


This post might require Level 2 Disclosure as the project progresses but the candidate will receive support processing it if required.

Your skills and attributes for success:

A PhD awarded in a relevant discipline (e.g. law, social sciences, history, science and technology studies, empirical bioethics or other relevant fields engaging with qualitative research and law and/policy) Knowledge and understanding of current issues in medicine and health systems Experience of designing and undertaking qualitative research including organising, conducting, collecting, managing and analysing data from interviews, focus groups, surveys, or other forms of data collection) Experience of working independently and collaboratively to deliver projects Experience of or willingness to engage with community stakeholders as part of the research process

Click to view a copy of the full job description (opens new browser tab) .


Please include your CV, a covering letter with a supporting statement with details of how you meet the knowledge, skills and experience required for this post, and a brief, one-page research proposal.


Non-University of Edinburgh employees (i.e. external applicants) - please refer to the How to Apply - External Candidate system user guide


Current University of Edinburgh employees (i.e. internal applicants) interested in applying for this role - you must apply as an internal applicant through the People and Money Current Jobs tile. Please refer to the How to Apply - UoE Employee system user guide

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

A competitive salary An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our

staff benefits page

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Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.


Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our

right to work webpages

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The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 2 October 2025.





Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

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