Postdoctoral Research Associate / Fellow (759)
This EPSRC funded full-time post is available from 1 July 2026 until 31 June 2028.
The starting salary will be from £ 34,610 on Grade E for the Postdoctoral Research Associate level and from £ 43,482 on Grade F for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow level, depending on knowledge, skills and experience.
TheRole
Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy
The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to participate in the interdisciplinary project: "SeaHIVE: Sea Ecovoltaic Arrays for Habitat Integration, Vitality and Energy". This team consists of 4 academics (3 in Engineering and 1 in Biosciences), working together to create and validate a new class of multifunctional marine solar infrastructure that integrates renewable energy generation, extractive aquaculture, and environmental monitoring. We will investigate the design of an integrated solar and aquaculture platform, supported by self-powered sensing and forecasting models, to create a system that learns from and responds to its surroundings, achieving both energy optimisation and ecological enhancement. The successful applicant will contribute to the design, modelling, instrumentation and validation of SeaHIVE prototypes. The work will include investigating optical, thermal, structural and hydrodynamic performance; developing and applying laboratory, field and/or computational methods; integrating environmental sensing and monitoring approaches; analysing multidisciplinary datasets; and working with Engineering, Biosciences and external partners to evaluate how marine solar infrastructure can support both renewable energy production and ecological enhancement, as well as the potential benefits of aquaculture to the solar infrastructure.
The post will include delivering research objectives; writing up research work for publication; presenting research progress and outcomes at national and international conferences and to project stakeholders; contributing to collaborative decision making within the project team; preparing reports and funding or contractual proposals; supporting project planning, monitoring and risk assessment; and contributing to teaching, supervision or the development of student research skills as appropriate to the grade of appointment. You will also work in collaboration with other team members to produce your own original research on a regenerative and self-aware solar infrastructure based on any particular sets of materials and approaches. You will be expected to co-organise and take part in project-related events and activities more generally.
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 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 develop models, test prototypes and analyse data systematically.
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 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 to develop models, test prototypes and analyse data systematically.
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 / Cornwall
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.
