Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow (LSI)

Salary Details

For a Postdoctoral Research Associate, the starting salary will be from £34,610 on Grade E, depending on qualifications and experience.

For a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the starting salary will be from £43,482 on Grade F, depending on qualifications and experience.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Postdoctoral Research Fellow (full-time, 1.0 FTE) to participate in the interdisciplinary project EvoMotion (www.micromotility.com). This ERC-starting grant funded post is available from 2^nd Feb 2026 until 31^st May 2026. The successful applicant will participate in ongoing projects on microorganism motility that are relevant in a range of ecologically significant contexts, combining experimental biophysics, quantitative data analysis and computational fluid dynamics. This full-time role will be based at Exeter’s flagship Living Systems Institute.

The successful applicant will develop new approaches to studying the behaviour of single-celled organisms. You will have access to brand new, state-of-the-art imaging and microscopy facilities, as well as a stimulating, interdisciplinary working environment. Good working knowledge of experimental biophysics and soft matter is highly desirable, as is expertise in live imaging, microscopy and microfluidics. Proficiency in scientific programming, especially computational image and data analysis and fluid dynamics, would be advantageous.

About you

You are required to have good interpersonal and problem-solving skills. You will be appointed at Postdoctoral Research Associate (Grade E) or Fellow (Grade F) at a level commensurate with experience.

Applicants for Fellow must possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification in a relevant field of study and be a nationally recognised authority in the discipline (i.e. track record of publications arising). They should have sufficient specialist knowledge and experience to develop research programmes and methodologies. Fellows will be expected to develop research objectives and proposals and may be called upon to supervise the work of others in the group.

Applicants for Associate must possess a relevant PhD (or be nearing completion) or equivalent qualification and be able to demonstrate sufficient specialist knowledge and experience to work within established research programmes.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role, by clicking 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 new Fertility Treatment Policy.
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.

Further information

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Prof Kirsty Wan in the first instance to discuss details: email: k.y.wan2@exeter.ac.uk, tel: +44 (0)1392 727447. The closing date for completed applications is 2^nd February 2026.

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