About The Role
Postdoctoral Research Associate / Fellow in Evolutionary Ecology
This NERC funded full‑time post is available for 42 months (3.5 years), to start between 1st October 2026 and 30 September 2030 (some flexibility to start date). The post will be based at the University of Exeter’s Centre for Ecology & Conservation on our Penryn Campus in Cornwall. The starting salary will be from £36,636 on Grade E for the Postdoctoral Research Associate level and from £43,482 on Grade F for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow level, depending on qualifications, skills and experience.
The Role
We wish to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate / Fellow for a NERC‑funded project that will study the evolutionary ecology of senescence and its role in shaping host‑pathogen interactions, using data from a remarkable 50‑year field study of European badgers (Meles meles) and bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in the UK. Our work will leverage extraordinary longitudinal individual‑based data sets covering life‑histories, bTB status, movement biology and immunology, coupled with whole genome sequences (medium‑coverage WGS data) for over 2 500 of the individuals monitored.
The successful candidate will combine concepts and analytical approaches from evolutionary ecology and quantitative genetics to investigate:
* The evolutionary mechanisms that maintain senescence in natural populations
* The inter‑generational effects of senescence (parental age effects) and their evolution
* The effects of senescence on bTB susceptibility, progression and transmission, and the mechanisms that underpin these effects
The Research Associate / Fellow will join a vibrant interdisciplinary team of five postdoctoral researchers, research faculty from the Universities of Exeter (Prof Andy Young, Prof Dave Hodgson, Dr Barbara Tschirren, Dr TJ McKinley), Sheffield (Prof Jon Slate) and Edinburgh (Dr Matt Silk), and project partners from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), DEFRA and the Office for Environmental Protection.
About You
We seek candidates with a PhD (or nearing completion) or equivalent qualification/experience in evolutionary ecology, quantitative genetics or a related field. Candidates should have specialist knowledge of the discipline, research methods and techniques that enable them to work within established research programmes. They should possess excellent quantitative skills, a strong interest in eco‑evolutionary questions in general, and life‑history evolution and senescence in particular.
Applicants are expected to develop research objectives, perform data analysis, write up results for publication, give presentations at conferences and other events, assist with supervising the work of others, and contribute to the process of securing additional funding. They should be team players capable of working independently, with excellent organisational and time‑management skills.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
The successful applicant will possess a PhD (or nearing completion) or equivalent qualification/experience and sufficient specialist knowledge to work within established research programmes. They will develop research objectives, perform data analysis, write up results for publication, give presentations at conferences and other events, assist with supervising the work of others, and contribute to securing additional funding. They are a team player capable of working independently and have excellent organisational and time‑management skills.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
The successful applicant will possess a PhD or equivalent qualification/experience and broad knowledge in the discipline. They will develop research programmes and methodologies, have excellent quantitative skills, and a strong interest in eco‑evolutionary questions, particularly life‑history evolution and senescence. They will develop research objectives, perform data analysis, write up results for publication, give presentations at conferences and other events, supervise the work of others, and contribute to securing additional funding. They are a team player capable of working independently, with excellent organisational and time‑management skills, and can act as a team leader as required.
What we can offer you
* You will join the Centre for Ecology & Conservation at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall; the largest group of whole‑organism biologists in the UK and ranked 2nd in the world for Ecology (2025 Shanghai University Rankings), with exceptional strengths in evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology and animal behaviour.
* A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Cornwall.
* Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and 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.
* The Exeter Academic initiative supporting high‑performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career.
* 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.
Further Information
Please contact Prof Andy Young, email a.j.young@exeter.ac.uk
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