Postdoctoral Research Fellow
This UKRI funded full-time post is available, on a fixed term basis, from 1st August 2026 to 30th September 2027.
The starting salary will be from £43,482 on Grade F, depending on knowledge, skills and experience.
This role will be based within the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, Glasgow and / or home-based with occasional visits to Exeter for wider team meetings.
The Role
Faculty of Environment, Science and the Economy
The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to participate in the delivery of the UKRI Funded ReMake Value Retention Centre (RVRC) led by Strathclyde University and the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) in collaboration with the University of Exeter. The RVRC aims to support businesses within the high-integrity engineering sectors (renewable energy, aerospace, automotive, marine) to implement circular economy practices – specifically reuse and remanufacture to create lasting economic, environmental and social value. This role will specifically focus on the development and implementation of Circular Business Models.
The successful applicant will play a key role in delivering the project, in collaboration with researchers from the Universities of Exeter, Strathclyde and Sheffield and with a range of partners across the high-integrity engineering sectors. Specifically, this role will focus on research and practise associated with the development and implementation of Circular Business Models across start-ups and small businesses. The research will include:
- Mapping start-up and small business activity across Glasgow’s high-integrity engineering sectors,
- The analysis of circular business models to identify opportunities for economic, environmental and social value creation for start-ups and small businesses within renewable energy, transport and manufacturing sectors,
- Leading stakeholder workshops and webinars to enhance circular business model understanding, skills and knowledge,
- Creating tools and methods to aid businesses in adopting circular business models,
- Develop case studies to analyse circular business model implementation and the benefits of digital technologies,
- Work with other researchers and partners across the RVRC to achieve the aims and vision of the centre.
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 the Circular Economy 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 work in an interdisciplinary way, understanding and integrating their work and the work of others to support businesses in adopting circular economy practises.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.
Further information
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.
