Postdoctoral Research Fellow or Postdoctoral Research Associate

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

The above full-time post is available immediately on a fixed term basis for 2 years, with possible extension thereafter. This full-time role will be based at Exeter’s flagship Living Systems Institute.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the research group of Prof Kirsty Wan (https://micromotility.com). The successful candidate will work on two projects: a European Research Council funded Starting Grant project “EvoMotion” on basal cognition in motile, unicellular organisms (Horizon 2020), and a Human Frontier Science Programme grant on unravelling the functional ecology of heterotrophic protists. As part of the latter collaboration, they will have the opportunity to visit and work closely with our HFSP partners in Canada (Professor Alastair Simpson) and Denmark (Professor Thomas Kiørboe).

The successful applicant will develop new approaches to studying the behaviour of single-celled organisms. You will have access to brand new, state-of-the-art imaging and microscopy facilities, as well as a stimulating, interdisciplinary working environment. There may also be scope and flexibility within the project for the candidate to develop their own ideas. An ideal applicant should have a keen interest in attempting new experimental techniques (e.g. electrophysiology, microfluidics, 3D imaging) and have significant prior experience in experimental biophysics. They should also have a good understanding of soft matter or biological physics (broadly defined). Proficiency in scientific programming, especially computational image analysis and fluid dynamics, is highly desirable.

About you

You are required to have good interpersonal and problem-solving skills. You will be appointed at Postdoctoral Research Associate (Grade E) or Fellow (Grade F) at a level commensurate with experience.

Applicants for Fellow must possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification in a relevant field of study and be a nationally recognised authority in the discipline (i.e. track record of publications arising). They should have sufficient specialist knowledge and experience to develop research programmes and methodologies. Fellows will be expected to develop research objectives and proposals and may be called upon to supervise the work of others in the group.

Applicants for Associate must possess a relevant PhD (or be nearing completion) or equivalent qualification, and be able to demonstrate sufficient specialist knowledge and experience to work within established research programmes.

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 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. 

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

To find out more about what we offer our staff, please visit: Prospective staff | Prospective Staff | University of Exeter

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Prof Kirsty Wan in the first instance to discuss details: email: k.y.wan2@exeter.ac.uk, tel: +44 (0)1392 727447.

The closing date for completed applications is 1 Aug 2024.

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