Graduate Research Assistant (0.4 FTE)

Salary wording for part time roles.

The starting salary will be from £33,951 per annum (pro rata if part time) on Grade E subject to knowledge, skills and experience.

Package Details

Generous holiday allowances, flexible working, pension scheme and relocation package (if applicable).

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a part-time (0.4 FTE) Graduate Research Assistant to support the work of Prof Darren Croft. This NERC-funded post, in collaboration with Dr Samuel Ellis at the University of Exeter and Prof Daniel Franks at the University of York, and Dr Michael Wiess at the Center for Whale Research (USA) is available from the 1^st of Nov 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter) until the 31^st Oct 2028. The successful applicant will join a collaborative team exploring how information access shapes social dynamics in resident killer whales.

This project takes advantage of a unique 50-year dataset on the critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales to investigate how individuals adjust their social relationships in response to changing prey availability, partner loss, and the distribution of ecological knowledge within social groups.

The successful applicant will assist with data collection in the USA, video and photo analysis, constructing and maintaining a database, data analysis and writing reports/manuscripts for publication. 

This position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the interface of behavioural ecology, conservation, and data science, addressing fundamental questions about social behaviour while generating insights directly relevant to the conservation of an iconic endangered species.

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 be educated to first degree level or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study or equivalent experience and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Previous experience of field data collection on killer whales and photographic or video analysis of killer whale behaviour would be an advantage.

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

Further information

For further information, please contact Prof Darren Croft, e-mail d.p.croft@exeter.ac.uk or telephone (01392) 725649 .

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