Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Responsible Innovation

Faculty of Environment, Science & Economy – Business School

This full-time post is available from 1^st June 2025 on a fixed term basis for 36 months on our Streatham campus, Exeter.

Summary of the role

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PDRF) will join the Cultivating responsible innovation for plant synthetic genomics through experimental governance project funded through ARIA. The PDRF will conduct a programme of qualitative research relating to experimental governance of synthetic plants in the UK. Research may include interviews, focus groups, and public engagement. The PDRF will organise and participate in meetings, draft academic papers and non-academic articles, and commission creative works for public engagement. The successful candidate will join the Department of Management in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy at the University of Exeter and be expected to work with the project team at the University of Edinburgh and University of Sussex. Knowledge of responsible innovation or Science Technology and Society (STS) is essential. Some travel will be expected.

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

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 Fertility Treatment Policy
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

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).

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.

Further information

Please contact Prof Sarah Hartley Sarah.Hartley@exeter.ac.uk

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