Postdoctoral Research Fellow
This full-time post is available from 1 September 2026. This post is offered as a fixed term contract and is funded by Cancer Research UK until 28 February 2029.
In line with the University’s fair employment for all principles,, any further funding opportunities identified will be reviewed and discussed during the contract.
The starting salary will be from £43,482 up to £46,049 on Grade F, depending on knowledge, skills and experience.
We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.
The Role
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to participate in the Cancer Data Driven Detection (CD3) project. The successful applicant will conduct data analysis and statistical modelling of routinely collected healthcare, and other data, as part of the Cancer Data Driven Detection (CD3) programme focussing on the risk of undiagnosed cancer in symptomatic patients. CD3 is a new, multidisciplinary and multi-institutional strategic national research programme dedicated to using data to transform our understanding of cancer risk and enable early interception of cancers. It represents a major, multi-million-pound flagship investment funded through a strategic programme award by Cancer Research UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR),Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and the Peter Sowerby Foundation; in partnership with Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) and the Economic and Social Research Council’s Administrative Data Research UK programme (ADR UK).
The post will include Analysing large, linked data sources from all four nations of the UK to develop and validate risk prediction models for patients presenting with symptoms of possible undiagnosed cancer. Data analysis will be conducted in trusted research environments focussing on anonymised primary care data derived from electronic health records, linked to cancer registration data, secondary care data and other non-medical data sources. The post will be part of the large multi-institutional CD3 programme with extensive opportunities to develop professional networks and work with world class researchers across the UK.
About You
The successful applicant 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 or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in insert subject area and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required.. Applicants will be able to develop risk prediction models using appropriate techniques working with large-scale health related data. Applicants will also need to be able to apply novel techniques as they emerge from other aspects of the programme or elsewhere.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.
Further information
Please contact Gary Abel, Professor of Medical Statistics and Health Services Research, email [email protected].
Transform Your Career and Help Shape a Greener, Healthier, and Fairer Future
Join the University of Exeter, a top 200 Russel Group university (QS & THE World University Rankings 2025), excelling in teaching (triple Gold rating, TEF 2023) and leading groundbreaking research in the beautiful southwest of England.
We are committed to understanding different cultures and perspectives, supporting diverse leadership, and striving for social justice. We encourage applications from all groups underrepresented in our community, including racially minoritised individuals and those with disabilities. Our inclusive, merit based recruitment processes seek to embrace a diverse set of experiences to ensure colleagues feel supported equitably. With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 140 countries, we foster a culture where everyone can thrive.
You can read more about our current accreditations and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here, including our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
What we can offer you:
- Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines;
- Support teams that understand the University wide 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 supports 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/Cornwall.
How we can help
If you are considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch with us at
[email protected]. You can request reasonable adjustments within your application or by contacting us. You can also choose to be considered under our Disability Confident Scheme and find out here how this is managed during our recruitment and onboarding process.
