Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

This full time post is available immediately on a 2 year fixed term basis.

Summary of the role

The College wishes to recruit either a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Postdoctoral Research Fellow to support the work of Dr Kirsty Wan (https://micromotility.com ). The candidate will work on two projects: a European Research Council funded Starting Grant project “EvoMotion” on basal cognition in motile, unicellular organisms (Horizon 2020 grant 853560), and a UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council funded project on helical rheotaxis in microswimmers (BB/W00853X/1).

This post is available immediately, on a fixed-term basis for 2 years, with possible extension thereafter (subject to approval). The successful applicant will undertake mathematical and computational modelling of microorganism swimming and self-propulsion in low-Reynolds number environments.  

The successful applicant will develop data-driven mathematical and computational models of motile organisms ranging from protists to small marine larvae, and investigate different control mechanisms for self-propulsion at these scales. This theoretical/computational researcher will work closely with and complement ongoing experimental investigations in the wider research group into the biophysics of motility in diverse species (www.micromotility.com/research ).

This full-time role will be based at Exeter’s flagship Living Systems Institute (LSI), a major initiative designed to promote interdisciplinary research that transcends the boundaries of mathematics, physics and the biological, medical sciences.  Its mission is to analyse living cells and organisms as integrated systems, to decode biological complexity across scales. The LSI also offers an exceptional training environment for early-career researchers, and boasts a thriving community of cross-faculty postdoctoral researchers.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or nearing completion for Associate) or equivalent qualification/experience in mathematics or similar field of study. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in low-Reynolds number hydrodynamics 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. They should have a keen interest interdisciplinary research, and demonstrate a good understanding of soft matter or biological physics (broadly defined). Proficiency in scientific programming and previous experience in mathematical modelling of low-Reynolds number flows is essential.

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

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and QS World University Ranking 2022).  

Our research income in recent years means we’re the fastest growing UK Research University with some of the world’s most influential scientists, and we seek to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today through this. More than 99% of our research is of international quality and our world-leading research impact is growing faster than any other Russell Group university (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

With over 27,000 students and 6,400 staff from 180 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), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Benefits

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• 41 days leave per year
• options for flexible working
• numerous discounts at leading retailers
• onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
• sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to six weeks full pay) and a new Fertility Treatment Policy
• stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England

Further information

Please contact Dr Kirsty Wan, e-mail [email protected] or telephone (01392) 727447.