Postdoctoral Research Associate / Fellow

This full-time 3-year post is available from 1st Jan 2027. 

This post is offered as a fixed term contract and is funded by the BBSRC until 3 January 2030. In line with the University’s fair employment for all principles, any further funding opportunities identified will be reviewed and discussed during the contract.

The starting salary will be from £34,610 on Grade E for the Postdoctoral Research Associate level and from £43,482 on Grade F for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow level, depending on knowledge, skills and experience.

The Role

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to investigate the life cycle of microsporidian parasites within host cells using a combination of fluorescent microscopy, soft X-ray tomography (SXT), focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), cryo-electron tomography (CryoET). 

The successful applicant will work in the group of Bertram Daum and take a scale-spanning approach (from cells to molecules) to investigate how microsporidian spores enter, replicate within, and egress from host cells. The candidate will focus on sub-cellular reorganisations, as well as ribosome regulation during this process. 

About You

Postdoctoral Research Associate: 

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or nearing completion) or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. 

Postdoctoral Research Fellow: 

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in insert subject area and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required.

All candidates will have:

• Background in structural biology 
• Experience in cryo electron tomography 
• Experience in sub-tomogram averaging 
• Familiarity with standard microbiology, molecular biology, biochemical techniques, fluorescence microscopy
• A publication record commensurate with experience

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role. 

Further information

Please contact Bertram Daum, b.daum2@exeter.ac.uk 

The closing date for this role is 21 Jun 2026. 
 
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