Postdoctoral Research Associate
This Public Health Economics and Health Economics funded full-time post is available from 1st August 2026 on a fixed term basis until 31st March 2027.
The starting salary will be from £34,610 to £39,906 on Grade E, depending on knowledge, skills and experience.
The Role
The Public Health Economics and Health Economics Groups wish to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to perform project-related research with a focus on economic and data-related analyses. The successful candidate will work across our portfolio of public health economics and health economics research, with a focus on quantitative methods. The postholder should be comfortable with a range of analytical methods including economic analyses, economic evaluation and evidence synthesis. The successful applicant will work as part of a national team of Research Fellows and academics, across multiple UK universities, in partnership with NHS senior leaders, clinicians, patients and other key stakeholders.
The University of Exeter is one of nine institutional members of the prestigious National Institute for Health Research School for Public Health Research (NIHR SPHR). The University of Exeter’s membership is called the School for Public Health Environments Research at Exeter (SPHERE). Although based in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, SPHERE is a highly interdisciplinary collection of researchers from across the breadth of the University’s structure, drawing on experts from all three University of Exeter Faculties and all four campuses.
Public Health Economics Group
The Public Health Economics Group at the University of Exeter is based in the Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences within the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences. Led by Professor Antonieta Medina-Lara, the group conducts interdisciplinary research to inform policy and practice across four key areas: Food, Employment, Mental Wellbeing and Global Health. We employ a range of methodologies, including econometric analysis, micro-econometric demand analysis, big data analysis, health macroeconomics, discrete choice experiments, cost-effectiveness analysis, decision analytical modelling, health inequalities research, and evidence synthesis. By leveraging these diverse approaches, we strive to produce evidence-based research that strengthen public health and inform policy development.
Health Economics Group
The Health Economics Group is based in the Department of Health & Community Sciences within the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences. The group, led by Professor Anne Spencer, conducts high quality policy-relevant research and provides high quality education in order to advance the use of health economics to improve population health. Our aim is to contribute to health and healthcare in the UK and internationally, by conducting research on economic aspects of health and disease, and research focused on informing decisions around the delivery of health care and the design and evaluation of health interventions and systems, as well as research on the factors that determine our health and wellbeing. Current activities cover a wide range of applied and methodological projects, across many disease areas. The Group works closely with the clinical trials unit/network and has close links with applied methodologists (e.g. statistics, qualitative research, operational research/modelling).
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 Masters, PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of economics, health economics or health-related quantitative discipline and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within the Public Health Economics and Health Economics Groups research projects.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.
Further information
For further information please contact Professor Antonieta Medina-Lara; [email protected] and/or Professor Anne E Spencer; [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.
