Postdoctoral Research Associate

College of Life and Environmental Sciences

This full-time post is available from January 2022 on a fixed term basis until 31 December 2022.

This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working with the expectation that the role holder would come into the office on campus an average of 2 to 3 days per week. This is open to discussion with the successful candidate.

The post

The College wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Timothy Hill, Lucy Rowland and Ted Feldpausch. This NERC funded post is available immediately. The successful applicant will be based at the University of Exeter and will be responsible for research associated with the ‘Lightning: an invisible driver of tropical tree mortality’ project’. The candidate will be responsible for addressing research questions through the data analysis of field plot data from Nigeria and Ghana. These field censuses include the surveying of tropical tree inventory plots and lightning strike sensors. The candidate will be responsible for analysing data from these experiments which will be combined with other data sources (e.g. forest inventory and climatology) to develop publications. The post will be based in the Geography Department at the University of Exeter’s Streatham campus.  

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 possess a relevant PhD (or be nearing completion) or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study (e.g. environmental science, geography, ecology or similar) and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will possess a degree in a relevant subject; or a related subject and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of tropical fieldwork and lightning related research. This includes an understanding of tropical forest inventories, ecological processes and forest dynamics. Applicants will be able to demonstrate a track-record of analysing tropical forest (or similar) data and an ability to incorporate an understanding/experience of fieldwork, preferably tropical forests, is desirable. The successful applicant should have the ability to work well both individually and as a team to produce high quality research suitable for publication.

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 new Fertility Treatment Policy
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

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 2019). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2017.

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. 98% of our research is of international quality (2014 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. Exeter is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City . In 2019, Devon was voted as having the best quality of life of anywhere in England and Wales, making it a popular choice for both work and study.

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.

Further information

For further information please contact Timothy Hill, e-mail [email protected].

The closing date for completed applications is 15th December 2021.