Postdoctoral Research Associate

The post
The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Professor Neil Harrison and Dr Rebecca Georgis.

This Nuffield Foundation funded post is available from 5th January 2026 (or as soon as possible after this date) on a fixed-term contract until 31st December 2027. The successful applicant will work on a new research study entitled Education Pathways for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children: https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/project/education-pathways-for-unaccompanied-asylum-seeking-children.

The post will include undertaking research interviews, preparing data for analysis and contributing to research outputs such as academic journal articles and conference presentations. It will also include providing general support to the project team and our advisory group.

About you
Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or nearing completion (or an equivalent qualification or experience) in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be able to build rapport with our research participants within the context of one-to-one interviews over an 18-month period.

The successful applicant will be able to manage and analyse research data to high ethical standards, present information on research progress, communicate complex ideas (orally, in writing and electronically) and contribute to the preparation of funding proposals to external bodies.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) 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.

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

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

Further information

For further information please contact Dr Rebecca Georgis (R.Georgis@exeter.ac.uk).

The closing date for completed applications is 13th November 2025.

Interviews are expected to take place online in the week starting 24th November.

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