Postdoctoral Research Associate

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

This new part-time (0.5 FTE/18.25 Hours) post is available from the 1st of September 2025 until the 31st of July 2026 on a fixed term basis within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours and offer flexibility in working patterns.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Prof. Daniel Kattnig, Dr Jonathan Phillips and Prof. Vinod Kumar. This job is part of an Advanced Research + Invention Agency-funded project, subject to contract negotiations, available immediately for 11 months. The successful applicant will conduct biochemical and plant biological research of stress responses and magnetic field effects in plants.

The post will include the heterologous expression and purification of proteins, biophysical measurements (using optical spectrometry and mass spectrometry), and plant growth experiments. Experience in protein expression and affinity purification is essential; full training will be provided in respect to spectroscopy and plant work, and this is an opportunity to gain experience in these complementary skills.

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 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 express and purify proteins for in vitro spectroscopic investigation, and with appropriate training and supervision, undertake spectroscopic studies, run plant growth experiments, conduct quantitative data analysis, and adapt to research needs as they arise.

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

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.  

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.

Further information

For further information please contact Prof. Daniel Kattnig, e-mail d.r.kattnig@exeter.ac.uk or telephone (01392) 72 7479.

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