Job Description

Salary

The starting salary will be 34,132 on Grade E, depending on qualifications and experience.

Contractual hours

36.5

Package

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

Job category/type

Research

Date posted

04/07/2025

Job reference

R90125

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

This full-time post is available from July 2025 on a fixed term basis until 30th April 2026 to cover for maternity leave.

The post

We are seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate (or equivalent) in marine zooplankton physiology, ecology and biogeochemistry to participate in the IDAPro project ('Integrating Drivers of Atlantic Productivity'). IDAPro aims to deliver new process understanding of the drivers of marine primary production and thus reduce uncertainty in projections of how ocean productivity will change in the future. It is a component of the NERC-funded 'BioCarbon' programme (https://bio-carbon.ac.uk/about; https://www.ukri.org/what-we-do/our-main-funds-and-areas-of-support/browse-our-areas-of-investment-and-support/biological-influence-on-future-ocean-storage-of-carbon-bio-carbon/).

The post involves processing a range of preserved plankton samples and analysing the resulting data. A specific focus will be on quantifying rates of grazing, respiration and egg production, and using these data to understand how zooplankton physiology influences nutrient stoichiometry and ocean productivity. This NERC-funded post is to provide maternity cover and is available from

08/07/25

until

30/04/2026

or until the return of the employee on maternity leave.

About you

The successful applicant will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in zooplankton physiology, ecology, biogeochemistry, or a related field. They are expected to process a range of plankton samples using FlowCam technologies and classifying the resulting images using appropriate software. The associated work will involve close collaboration with other plankton ecologists, trace metal biogeochemists and ecosystem modellers, requiring excellent interpersonal skills. Experience of image classification and analysing rate-process experimental data would be highly advantageous, as would prior experience of working with large and complex datasets. Strong analytical and numerical skills would also be beneficial. You will be expected to contribute towards publishing the resulting data in the peer-reviewed literature.

You will join a team led by Prof. Daniel Mayor at the University of Exeter and will work closely with Dr Kathryn Cook (University of Exeter) and other scientists at project partner institutions across the UK (Universities of Southampton, Oxford, Liverpool, Heriot-Watt and the National Oceanography Centre) as well as with our international partners.

Please ensure you read the and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment.

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 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 and the 2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities released by Shanghai Rankings).

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. 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 are using the power of our education and research to create a sustainable, healthy and socially just future. Our shared purpose and vision continually moves us forward to make a difference to our people, our communities, our partners and the world around us. Read about our world leading research on 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 City of Literature

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

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.

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.

For further information please contact Prof. Daniel Mayor, e-mail d.j.mayor@exeter.ac.uk.

The closing date for completed applications is 13th July 2025. Interviews are expected to take place during the following week.