Postdoctoral Research Associate

This full-time post is available from July 2025 on a fixed-term basis until 30th April 2026 to cover for maternity leave.

The post
We are seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate (or equivalent) in marine zooplankton physiology, ecology and biogeochemistry to participate in the IDAPro project (‘Integrating Drivers of Atlantic Productivity’). IDAPro aims to deliver new process understanding of the drivers of marine primary production and thus reduce uncertainty in projections of how ocean productivity will change in the future. It is a component of the NERC-funded ‘BioCarbon’ programme (https://bio-carbon.ac.uk/about; https://www.ukri.org/what-we-do/our-main-funds-and-areas-of-support/browse-our-areas-of-investment-and-support/biological-influence-on-future-ocean-storage-of-carbon-bio-carbon/).

About you 
The successful applicant will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in zooplankton physiology, ecology, biogeochemistry, or a related field. They are expected to process a range of plankton samples using FlowCam technologies and classifying the resulting images using appropriate software. The associated work will involve close collaboration with other plankton ecologists, trace metal biogeochemists and ecosystem modellers, requiring excellent interpersonal skills. Experience of image classification and analysing rate-process experimental data would be highly advantageous, as would prior experience of working with large and complex datasets. Strong analytical and numerical skills would also be beneficial. You will be expected to contribute towards publishing the resulting data in the peer-reviewed literature.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button).

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.

The University of Exeter
We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 and the 2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities released by Shanghai Rankings). 

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment 
Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

For further information please contact Prof. Daniel Mayor, e-mail d.j.mayor@exeter.ac.uk.

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