Graduate Research Assistant

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements. The post is hybrid, working both remotely and on the University of Exeter’s Penryn campus.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a part-time 0.4 FTE Graduate Research Assistant to support the work of Prof Will Gaze and Prof Tim Taylor. This Horizon Europe/UKRI funded post is available immediately until September 30 2026 on a fixed term basis. The successful applicant will assist in the delivery of the UKRI/Horizon Europe BlueAdapt project (www.blueadapt.eu ), including:

• Assisting in the delivery of an evaluation of the Safer Seas app (working with Surfers Against Sewage), including aiding in the delivery of a questionnaire and helping to write reports;
• Assisting in a systematic review of the literature on bathing water quality and health;
• Assisting in the organisation of events, conferences and workshops (including the BlueAdapt annual conference in Cornwall in June 2024 and public engagement activities); and
• Helping in the delivery of a social media strategy to disseminate the work of BlueAdapt more widely, working with the BlueAdapt Communications Manager

BlueAdapt is a major European project working on the impacts of climate change on the risks of bacteria and viruses in coastal waters. The project involves an interdisciplinary team from across Europe to investigate the potential adaptation options to mitigate risks (including early warning systems). BlueAdapt has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101057764 and by the UKRI/HM Government.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will be educated to first degree level or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study or equivalent experience and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be able to conduct literature reviews, write for different audiences and work with external stakeholders.

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 beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Cornwall,

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024).  We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today.  More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

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 Professor Tim Taylor [email protected] or Prof Will Gaze ([email protected] ).

The application closing date is 15th May 2024. Interviews are expected to take place soon after.