Postdoctoral Research Associate

**Salary**

**Contractual hours**

21.31

**Package**

Generous holiday allowances, flexible working, pension scheme and relocation package (if applicable).

**Job category/type**

Research

**Date posted**

07/10/2025

**Job reference**

Q08838

**Faculty of Health and Life Sciences - Public Health and Sport Sciences**

**Postdoctoral Research Associate (Ref. No Q08838)**

**Salary Details**

The above part-time (0.5FTE) post is immediately available on a fixed-term basis until 12th October 2026, within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

**The post**

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Prof Joanne Bowtell, Dr Raquel Revuelta Iniesta, and Dr Luciana Torquati (Principal Investigator). This Dstl-funded post is available from October 2026 for a period of 12 months (0.5 FTE).

The successful applicant will undertake two main strands of work:
Conducting a comprehensive narrative review to identify mechanisms by which gut microbiome manipulation (via prebiotics, probiotics, or synbiotics) may influence cognitive and physical performance.

Reviewing the evidence base for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) pre and probiotics to identify suitable interventions that may influence cognitive and physical performance.

The post will involve:

- Conducting a comprehensive narrative review of the scientific literature to identify mechanisms by which gut microbiome manipulation through prebiotics and probiotics may influence cognitive and physical performance.
- Reviewing the evidence base for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) pre
- and probiotics.
- Preparing written outputs, including interim updates, a final literature review report, and a technical report for stakeholders.
- Attending and contributing to regular project meetings with the Dstl technical partner and the academic supervisory team, including presenting evidence summaries and interpretation of findings.
- Supporting the preparation of a stakeholder presentation to summarise project findings and recommendations.
- This is an exciting opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary team spanning nutrition, physiology, and human performance science, with direct impact on the optimisation of health and performance.

**About you**

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.

Essential skills and knowledge include:

- Demonstrated experience in conducting narrative or systematic reviews, including search strategy design, screening, critical appraisal, and synthesis of findings.
- Proficiency in using bibliographic databases (e.g., PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE) and reference management or evidence-synthesis software (e.g., EndNote, Covidence, Rayyan).
- Strong skills in evidence grading and interpretation, with ability to evaluate quality, strength of evidence, and relevance to applied research settings.
- Knowledge of nutrition science, gut microbiome research, and/or human performance physiology, with understanding of links between diet, microbiome, and cognitive/physical outcomes.
- Ability to manage, analyse, and synthesise large volumes of scientific evidence into clear outputs (tables, figures, narrative summaries, reports).
- Excellent organisational and project management skills, including the ability to work independently and to deadlines.
- Strong communication skills for engaging with academic and non-academic stakeholders.

Desirable:

- Previous publications in nutrition, physiology, microbiome, or related fields.
- Experience preparing outputs to peer-review publication standards.
- Experience delivering presentations to diverse audiences, including policymakers and practitioners.

**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_**_, St Luke’s Campus._**

**The University of Exeter**

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive