Senior Research Fellow in Cognitive Psychology of Religious Art– AR2380NB
School of Psychology & Neuroscience

School of Divinity / School of Psychology & Neuroscience Salary: £41,526 per annum Start Date: 1 September 2020, or as soon as possible thereafter Fixed Term: 18 months

The University of St Andrews invites applications for an 18-month research fellowship in aesthetic cognition, beginning September 2020 (or as soon as possible thereafter). The successful candidate will hold a PhD in Cognitive or Social Psychology or a related discipline; have been trained in the scientific study of aesthetics, creativity, or a similar area; and have experience in theoretical approaches to the perception of visual art. Interdisciplinary experience or interest is required. An interest in questions of religious faith is desirable, as is experience with drafting funding proposals.   

The fellow will play an important role in a funded project entitled Text & Image, supported by the Templeton Religion Trust. Essential duties will include devising and conducting experiments on the cognitive effects of image-embedded text in visual art, focusing primarily on Christian religious art; assembly of an image database of text-inclusive and non-textual religious art with reference to prior scholarship of the Renaissance and Reformation periods; assistance with the writing of further grant proposals; and other project work. The fellow will work closely with Brendan Wolfe (brendan.wolfe@st-andrews.ac.uk) and Dhanraj Vishwanath (dv10@st-andrews.ac.uk), to whom enquires may be directed along with Dorothy Campbell (dc225@st-andrews.ac.uk).   

Research Vision: The project works towards cognitive theories of art reception and understanding, specifically in the category of religious art. Artistic images often have image-embedded text, i.e., text that is directly embedded in the image as opposed to being supplemental to the image.  This practice is particularly evident in Christian religious visual art during Medieval, Renaissance and Post Renaissance periods. This project aims to a cognitive understanding of this practice and its influence on artistic communication by posing and answering research questions such as:   

1.    What are the cognitive effects of introducing text on art considered as communication? 
2.    What are the cognitive effects of introducing text on the art work’s comprehensibility? 
3.    What are the cognitive effects of introducing text on its perceived meaningfulness as an effortful human product?

About the University: 
The University of St Andrews is the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world and is consistently ranked among the top in the United Kingdom. The School of Divinity is one of the top-ranked theology and religion programmes in the UK, according to The Guardian, the Complete University Guide, and the NSS. It has a diverse and ecumenical faculty and a highly international student body. The School of Psychology has been ranked the top psychology & neuroscience department for both teaching and research in Scotland, and amongst the best in the UK. It focuses on four broad research groups, including Perception, Cognition & Action, and hosts the St Andrews Perception Lab and the Visual Experience Lab.   

Qualifications: 
Applicants must hold a PhD in Cognitive or Social Psychology or a closely related discipline, with experience in designing, conducting, and evaluating experiments. The successful candidate will have the ability to conduct independent research, an interest in interdisciplinary questions, and excellent collaborative skills.   

The University of St Andrews is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all, which is further demonstrated through its working on the Gender and Race Equality Charters and being awarded the Athena SWAN award for women in science, HR Excellence in Research Award, and the LGBT Charter;  http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/diversityawards/.        

Applications are particularly welcome from women, people from the Black, Asian, Minority or Ethnic (BAME) community and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in Research posts at the University. You can find out more about Equality & Diversity at https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/.   

Closing Date:  5 August 2020       

Please quote ref:  AR2380NB     

Further Particulars: AR2380NB FPs.doc                


School of Divinity / School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Salary: £41,526 per annum
Start Date: 1 September 2020, or as soon as possible thereafter
Fixed Term: 18 months  
Vacancy Description
School of Divinity / School of Psychology & Neuroscience Salary: £41,526 per annum Start Date: 1 September 2020, or as soon as possible thereafter Fixed Term: 18 months
 
The University of St Andrews invites applications for an 18-month research fellowship in aesthetic cognition, beginning September 2020 (or as soon as possible thereafter). The successful candidate will hold a PhD in Cognitive or Social Psychology or a related discipline; have been trained in the scientific study of aesthetics, creativity, or a similar area; and have experience in theoretical approaches to the perception of visual art. Interdisciplinary experience or interest is required. An interest in questions of religious faith is desirable, as is experience with drafting funding proposals.   

The fellow will play an important role in a funded project entitled Text & Image, supported by the Templeton Religion Trust. Essential duties will include devising and conducting experiments on the cognitive effects of image-embedded text in visual art, focusing primarily on Christian religious art; assembly of an image database of text-inclusive and non-textual religious art with reference to prior scholarship of the Renaissance and Reformation periods; assistance with the writing of further grant proposals; and other project work. The fellow will work closely with Brendan Wolfe (brendan.wolfe@st-andrews.ac.uk) and Dhanraj Vishwanath (dv10@st-andrews.ac.uk), to whom enquires may be directed along with Dorothy Campbell (dc225@st-andrews.ac.uk).   

Research Vision: The project works towards cognitive theories of art reception and understanding, specifically in the category of religious art. Artistic images often have image-embedded text, i.e., text that is directly embedded in the image as opposed to being supplemental to the image.  This practice is particularly evident in Christian religious visual art during Medieval, Renaissance and Post Renaissance periods. This project aims to a cognitive understanding of this practice and its influence on artistic communication by posing and answering research questions such as:   

1.    What are the cognitive effects of introducing text on art considered as communication? 
2.    What are the cognitive effects of introducing text on the art work’s comprehensibility? 
3.    What are the cognitive effects of introducing text on its perceived meaningfulness as an effortful human product?

About the University: 
The University of St Andrews is the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world and is consistently ranked among the top in the United Kingdom. The School of Divinity is one of the top-ranked theology and religion programmes in the UK, according to The Guardian, the Complete University Guide, and the NSS. It has a diverse and ecumenical faculty and a highly international student body. The School of Psychology has been ranked the top psychology & neuroscience department for both teaching and research in Scotland, and amongst the best in the UK. It focuses on four broad research groups, including Perception, Cognition & Action, and hosts the St Andrews Perception Lab and the Visual Experience Lab.   

Qualifications: 
Applicants must hold a PhD in Cognitive or Social Psychology or a closely related discipline, with experience in designing, conducting, and evaluating experiments. The successful candidate will have the ability to conduct independent research, an interest in interdisciplinary questions, and excellent collaborative skills.   

The University of St Andrews is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all, which is further demonstrated through its working on the Gender and Race Equality Charters and being awarded the Athena SWAN award for women in science, HR Excellence in Research Award, and the LGBT Charter;  http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/diversityawards/.        

Applications are particularly welcome from women, people from the Black, Asian, Minority or Ethnic (BAME) community and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in Research posts at the University. You can find out more about Equality & Diversity at https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/.   

Closing Date:  5 August 2020       

Please quote ref:  AR2380NB     

Further Particulars: AR2380NB FPs.doc                


School of Divinity / School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Salary: £41,526 per annum
Start Date: 1 September 2020, or as soon as possible thereafter
Fixed Term: 18 months