Postdoctoral Research Associate / Fellow
This Royal Society funded full-time post is available from 7th September 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter, on a fixed-term basis, until 30th August 2030.
The starting salary will be from £34,610 (E26) to £39,906 (E31) on Grade E for the Postdoctoral Research Associate level and at £43,482 (F34) on Grade F for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow level, 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 Environment, Science and Economy
The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to join Dr Rachael Miller (Harrison)'s Cognition and Conservation Group in Penryn, Cornwall. The successful applicant will work with Dr Miller (the Principal Investigator) on her Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship project: "Understanding the role of individual cognitive variation in reintroduction biology".
The post will include captive and field-based conservation, ecological, behavioural and cognitive focussed research, primarily with birds, interdisciplinary collaborations, co-supervision of students and junior researchers, and contributing to project impact, including generating evidence-based guidelines for captive management and reintroduction programmes.
About You
Postdoctoral Research Associate: 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 conservation, ecology, comparative psychology, cognitive biology or 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.
Applicants will be able to demonstrate interest and expertise in conservation and ecology (essential), cognition and behaviour (desirable) research with animals, using experiments and/or observations, in field (essential) and/or captive (desirable) settings, ideally with birds. Applicants should demonstrate experience of conducting and completing research from idea conception to publication and presentations, with experience in data management and statistical analysis. They should demonstrate excellent communication, teamwork and collaboration skills, and be enthusiastic about interdisciplinary research. Desirable skills include: knowledge of ecological tools and field-relevant equipment (e.g. RFID, GPS tracking), analytical tools (e.g. GIS, mixed modelling), experience creating impact beyond academia (e.g. policy or industry), zoo/ relevant industry experience, and knowledge of Open Science practices.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow: 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 conservation, ecology, comparative psychology, cognitive biology or a related 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 be able to demonstrate interest and expertise in conservation and ecology (essential), cognition and behaviour (desirable) research with animals, using experiments and/or observations, in field (essential) and/or captive (desirable) settings, ideally with birds. Applicants should demonstrate experience of conducting and completing research from idea conception to publication and presentations, with experience in data management and statistical analysis. They should demonstrate excellent communication, teamwork and collaboration skills, and be enthusiastic about interdisciplinary research. Desirable skills include: knowledge of ecological tools and field-relevant equipment (e.g. RFID, GPS tracking), analytical tools (e.g. GIS, mixed modelling), experience creating impact beyond academia (e.g. policy or industry), zoo/ relevant industry experience, and knowledge of Open Science practices.
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 Cornwall
Further information
Please contact Dr Rachael Miller (Harrison), [email protected] (www.drrachaelmiller.com).
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.
