
Applications are invited for a British Academy-funded Postdoctoral Research Associate or Research Assistant position in the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary University of London (Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Holborn). The successful applicant will work on a new British Academy-founded project Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic for IP Licensing Practices in Vaccine Production under the supervision of Professor Duncan Matthews.
The research project will identify solutions to the complex question of how best to scale up vaccine manufacturing and supply of vaccines, while at the same time improving access and affordability. To achieve this, the research project will draw lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic by analysing the role that intellectual property (IP) licensing practices have played in enabling or hindering vaccine production and supply. The research will focus on the role of IP licensing practices in COVID-19 vaccine production with particular reference to patents, know-how, trade secrets and regulatory data. The research will contribute to the policy debate about future pandemic preparedness and response currently underway in the G7 and internationally at the World Health Organization (WHO). Research outcomes will be disseminated at stakeholder meetings in London, Brussels, and Geneva, supplemented by media engagement, policy briefs, working papers and academic publications.
We are looking for an outstanding Postdoctoral Research Associate or Research Assistant to join the project team.
It is essential that applicants already hold a PhD in Intellectual Property Law, Health Policy, or related fields. Applicants must also have experience of using patent information sources including PATENTSCOPE, VaxPaL, Lens and national patent databases, knowledge of regulatory data sources including the European Medicines Agency and the United States Food and Drug Administration, experience of qualitative research methods, such as designing questionnaires and/or conducting interviews, and experience of drafting research outputs for varied audiences.
Benefits
We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities including an on-site nursery at the Mile End campus.
The post is available on either a full-time or a part-time basis and fixed term for 1 year (from January 2024 to December 2024) with a starting salary of Grade 4 within the range of £36,572 – £44,722 per annum, dependent on qualifications and experience inclusive of London Allowance.
Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.
Informal enquiries can be addressed to Professor Duncan Matthews ([email protected]).
Further details about the Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute can be found at https://www.qmul.ac.uk/qmipri/.
The closing date for applications is 09th November 2023.
Interviews are expected to take place shortly afterwards.
Valuing Diversity & Committed to Equality