Postdoctoral Research Associate / Fellow in Evolutionary Ecology
This NERC funded full-time post is available for 42 months (3.5 years), to fall between 1st October 2026 and 30 September 2030 (some flexibility to start date), and will be based at the University of Exeter’s Centre for Ecology & Conservation on our Penryn Campus in Cornwall.
The starting salary will be from £ 36,636 on Grade E for the Postdoctoral Research Associate level and from £ 43,482 on Grade F for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow level, depending on qualifications, skills and experience.
The Role
We wish to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate / Fellow for a NERC-funded project that will study the evolutionary ecology of senescence and its role in shaping host-pathogen interactions, using data from a remarkable 50-year field study of European badgers (Meles meles) and bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in the UK. Our work will leverage extraordinary longitudinal individual-based data sets covering life-histories, bTB status, movement biology and immunology, coupled with whole genome sequences (medium-coverage WGS data) for over 2,500 of the individuals monitored.
The successful candidate will combine concepts and analytical approaches from evolutionary ecology and quantitative genetics to investigate:
- The evolutionary mechanisms that maintain senescence in natural populations
- The inter-generational effects of senescence (parental age effects) and their evolution
- The effects of senescence on bTB susceptibility, progression and transmission, and the mechanisms that underpin these effects
The Research Associate / Fellow will join a vibrant interdisciplinary team of five postdoctoral researchers, research faculty from Universities of Exeter (Prof Andy Young, Prof Dave Hodgson, Dr Barbara Tschirren, Dr TJ McKinley), Sheffield (Prof Jon Slate) and Edinburgh (Dr Matt Silk), and project partners from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), DEFRA and the Office for Environmental Protection.
About You
Postdoctoral Research Associate:
The successful applicant will possess a PhD (or nearing completion) or equivalent qualification/experience in evolutionary ecology, quantitative genetics or a related field. They will possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. They will have excellent relevant quantitative skills and a strong interest in eco-evolutionary questions in general, and life-history evolution and senescence in particular. They are expected to develop research objectives, perform data analysis, write up results for publication, give presentations at conferences and other events, assist with supervising the work of others, and contribute to the process of securing additional funding. They are a team player capable of working independently and have excellent organisational and time management skills.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow:
The successful applicant will possess a PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in evolutionary ecology, quantitative genetics or a related field, and have a broad knowledge of the discipline. They will possess sufficient specialist knowledge to develop research programmes and methodologies. They will have excellent relevant quantitative skills and a strong interest in eco-evolutionary questions in general, and life-history evolution and senescence in particular. They are expected to develop research objectives, perform data analysis, write up results for publication, give presentations at conferences and other events, supervise the work of others, and contribute to the process of securing additional funding. They are a team player capable of working independently, have excellent organisational and time management skills, and can act as team leader as required.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.
What we can offer you
- You will join the Centre for Ecology & Conservation (at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall); the largest group of whole-organism biologists in the UK and ranked 2nd in the world for Ecology (2025 Shanghai University Rankings), with exceptional strengths in evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology and animal behaviour.
- A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Cornwall
- 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
Further information
Please contact Prof Andy Young, email a.j.young@exeter.ac.uk
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.
