Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow

Salary

The starting salary will be from £34,610 per annum on Grade E for a Postdoctoral Research Associate or £43,482 on Grade F for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, depending on qualifications and experience.

Contractual hours

36.5

Job category/type

Research

Date posted

10/12/2025

Job reference

Q12698

Environment, Science and Economy

This new full-time post is available from immediately on a fixed term basis for 2 years.

This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working – some time on campus and some from home.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to support the work of Catherine Bradshaw on the multi-institute interdisciplinary project Past to Future ). This EU HORIZON funded post is available immediately for 2 years (24 months) and will be based in the Geography department on Streatham campus at the University of Exeter.

The successful applicant will join an international research team to investigate how abrupt climate changes and tipping points affect regional climate extremes and impact society and the environment. The post will include analysing large climate model datasets, developing indicators for extreme events, and mapping high-risk regions under different climate states. Responsibilities include extracting and harmonising simulation data, identifying and characterising compound hazards, establishing causal links between tipping elements and regional impacts, and synthesising findings into risk assessment frameworks. The successful candidate will collaborate with consortium partners, contribute to scientific publications and policy-relevant outputs, and engage with the scientific community throughout the project.

The role will focus on the Holocene and there will be the opportunity to collaborate with archaeologists working on the project.

About you

For PDRA: 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 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. Applicants will be able to demonstrate strong quantitative skills in climate data analysis, familiarity with climate models and extreme event indicators, and the ability to collaborate within multidisciplinary research teams to investigate regional climate risks.

For PDRF: 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 equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in climate extremes 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. Applicants will be able to demonstrate advanced expertise in climate science, leadership in developing novel methodologies for assessing tipping point impacts, a track record of high-impact research, and the ability to drive cross-consortium collaboration and policy engagement at an international level.

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 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 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 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 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 Associate Professor Catherine Bradshaw, e-mail