Postdoctoral Research Associate

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Dr Yuri Russo. This GFF (Austrian Public Funding Agency) funded post is available from November 2025 to August 2026.

The post will involve:

• Testing individuals with Parkinson’s Disease who experience freezing of gait
• Use virtual reality technology to replicate real-world scenarios in which freezing may occur.
• Analysing and processing data from biomechanical instruments
• Preparing written outputs, including interim updates, literature review reports, and reports for stakeholders.
• Attending and contributing to regular project meetings with the academic supervisory team, including presenting evidence summaries and interpretation of preliminary findings.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary team spanning biomechanics, data science, and human performance science.

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 possess a relevant PhD (or nearing completion) or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.

Essential skills and knowledge:

• Experience in conducting narrative reviews, including search strategy design, screening, critical appraisal, and synthesis of findings.
• Proficiency in using bibliographic databases (e.g., PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE).
• Knowledge of motion capture systems and force plates.
• Ability to manage, analyse, and synthesise scientific evidence into clear outputs (e.g., tables, figures, narrative summaries, reports).
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both academic and non-academic stakeholders.

Desirable skills and experience:

• Record of publications in biomechanics, movement sciences, neurology, or related fields.
• Experience working with Parkinson’s disease and/or other neurodegenerative disorders.
• Experience with virtual reality and/or augmented reality technologies.
• Programming skills (e.g., MATLAB, Python, R).
• Experience preparing outputs to peer-reviewed publication standards.
• Experience delivering presentations to diverse audiences, including policymakers and stakeholders.

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

Further information

For further information please contact Dr Yuri Russo, e-mail y.russo@exeter.ac.uk.

The closing date for completed applications is November 13th. Interviews are expected to take place shortly after the closing date.

This role may be subject to additional background screening and DBS check.

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