Postdoctoral Research Associate / Fellow

UK Energy Research Centre; Penryn; Remote; GBP 35,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Exeter – Penryn Campus invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to work on the NERC Pushing the Frontiers project at the Centre for Ecology and Conservation. You will develop evolutionary models and run simulations, collaborating with experts in social cognition and wild jackdaws.

The role requires a PhD in behavioural ecology, evolutionary biology, or related field, with strong coding and data analysis skills in C++, R or Python, and a track record of

Qualifications

• Applicants must hold a PhD (or nearing completion) in behavioural ecology, evolutionary biology, theoretical biology or related field.
• Experience with computational evolutionary biology and simulations.
• Strong publication record and ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop evolutionary models to test hypotheses and predict social dynamics.
• Create and run individual-based simulations using C++, R or Python.
• Publish results and present findings at conferences and in journals.
• Collaborate with empirical researchers on wild jackdaws within the project.

Skills

Evolutionary modelling

Individual-based simulations

Data analysis

C++/R/Python

Education

PhD in behavioural ecology or related field

Tools

C++

R

Python

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate / Fellow

University of Exeter – Faculty of Environment, Science & Economy
Location: Penryn
Salary: £35,302 to £44,352 Starting salary will be from £35,302 for PDRA and from £44,352 for PDRF, depending on knowledge, skills & experience.
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract
Placed On: 19th October 2026
Closes: 14th December 2026
Job Ref: 1982

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

This NERC-fundedfull timepost is available from03/05/2027until02/05/2029.

Starting salary: £35,302 to £40,704 for PDRA and £44,352 for PDRF,depending on knowledge, skills & experience.

Recruiting for a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to join the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the Penryn Campus.

You will work with Dr Bram Kuijper, Professor Alex Thornton and collaborators on the theoretical components of their NERC Pushing the Frontiers grant: “The co-evolution of learning and social structure: how minds shape societies and societies shape minds” (UKRI4324).

It has long been suggested that the demands of social life drive cognitive evolution. However, if cognition allows individuals to learn who best to associate with, individuals’ mental processes may shape societies in return. To understand such dynamics and generate testable predictions, this post will developevolutionary models (primarily individual-based evolutionary simulations) to establish a predictive framework linking the evolution of learning in social decision-making to social evolution. It will include the development of simulation code using a programming language such as C++, R or Python, interpretation of model outputs, publication and presentation of findings. The work will be conducted in close collaboration with empirical researchers working on wild jackdaws as part of the grant, you will be a member of Thornton’s Wild Cognition Research Group.

About You

PDRA

You will have proven skills in evolutionary modelling and be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or nearing completion) or equivalent qualification/experience in behavioural ecology, evolutionary biology, theoretical biology or a related field of study, demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes and possess relevant skills in computational evolutionary biology including individual-based simulations.

Applicants should demonstrate experience of conducting and completing research from idea conception to publication and presentations, with experience in coding and data analysis. They should demonstrate excellent communication, teamwork and collaboration skills, and be enthusiastic about interdisciplinary research. Desirable skills include: the ability to develop simulation code using a programming language such as C++, R or Python, knowledge of social network analysis and game theory, experience of collaborations spanning theoretical and empirical research.

PDRF

You will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD in behavioural ecology, evolutionary biology, theoretical biology or a related field of study, have a strong track record of high quality publications, including evidence of published research in theoretical evolutionary biology, sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies, with skills in evolutionary modelling including individual-based simulations and the ability to develop simulation code using a programming language such as C++, R or Python.

Closing date: 14 December.

Please contact Dr Bram Kuijper, [e-mail] or Prof Alex Thornton, [e-mail].