Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of Exeter; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious research university in the UK is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct research on animal migration and foraging ecology, support teaching, and manage research activities. Candidates must hold a PhD in animal ecology and have relevant skills in fieldwork and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. This is a full-time, fixed-term position available until 31 July 2027.

Benefits

Generous maternity, adoption, and parental leave

Professional development support

Beautiful campus environment

Qualifications

• PhD in animal ecology or submitted application required.
• Demonstrated teaching experience in field courses.
• Experience with advanced statistical techniques preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original research in animal migration and foraging ecology.
• Support teaching delivery and manage research group activities.
• Communicate research progress effectively.

Skills

Teaching and delivery of field courses

Publishing results in peer-reviewed journals

Population ecology and demographic models

Advanced statistical techniques

Fieldwork in animal ecology

Education

PhD in animal ecology

Job description

Overview

This new full-time (1.0FTE) post is available from 3 November 2025 until 31 July 2027 on a fixed-term basis, within the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy.

The successful applicant will have a willingness to travel to remote field sites.

The post

The Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy at the University of Exeter wishes to recruit a numerically competent Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Professor Stuart Bearhop. This post is available until 31 July 2027. The successful applicant will work with Professor Stuart Bearhop carrying out original research in the areas of animal migration and foraging ecology, supporting teaching delivery and helping to manage his research group.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will hold or have submitted a PhD in animal ecology. Applicants will have demonstrable skills in:

• The teaching and delivery of field courses
• Publishing results of work in peer-reviewed journals.
• Population ecology, demographic models
• Advanced statistical techniques
• Fieldwork in animal ecology.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career

• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a new Fertility Treatment Policy
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Cornwall

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world's most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research - Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.

Further Information

For further information please contact Professor Stuart Bearhop, e-mail [e-mail].