Postdoctoral Research Associate / Fellow

This Royal Society funded full-time post is available from 7th September 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter, on a fixed-term basis, until 30th August 2030.
 
The starting salary will be from £34,610 (E26) to £39,906 (E31) on Grade E for the Postdoctoral Research Associate level and at £43,482 (F34) on Grade F for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow level, depending on knowledge, skills and experience. We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements. 

The Role

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to join Dr Rachael Miller (Harrison)'s Cognition and Conservation Group in Penryn, Cornwall. The successful applicant will work with Dr Miller (the Principal Investigator) on her Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship project: "Understanding the role of individual cognitive variation in reintroduction biology". 

The post will include captive and field-based conservation, ecological, behavioural and cognitive focussed research, primarily with birds, interdisciplinary collaborations, co-supervision of students and junior researchers, and contributing to project impact, including generating evidence-based guidelines for captive management and reintroduction programmes.

About You

Postdoctoral Research Associate: Able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or nearing completion for Associate) or an equivalent qualification/experience in conservation, ecology, comparative psychology, cognitive biology or a related field of study. They will be able to demonstrate sufficient specialist knowledge (Associate) or be a nationally recognised authority (Fellow) in the discipline, research methods and techniques to work within (Associate) or develop (Fellow ) established research programmes.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Applicants will be able to demonstrate interest and expertise in conservation and ecology (essential), cognition and behaviour (desirable) research with animals, using experiments and/or observations, in field (essential) and/or captive (desirable) settings, ideally with birds. Applicants should demonstrate experience of conducting and completing research from idea conception to publication and presentations, with experience in data management and statistical analysis. They should demonstrate excellent communication, teamwork and collaboration skills, and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research. Desirable skills include: knowledge of ecological tools and field-relevant equipment (e.g. RFID, GPS tracking), analytical tools (e.g. GIS, mixed modelling), experience creating impact beyond academia (e.g. policy or industry), zoo/ industry experience, and knowledge of Open Science practices.

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 Cornwall

Further information

Please contact Dr Rachael Miller (Harrison), r.miller7@exeter.ac.uk (www.drrachaelmiller.com).

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