Job Description

Salary

The starting salary will be from 34,610 on Grade E, depending on qualifications and experience

Package

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

Job category/type

Research

Date posted

19/09/2025

Job reference

Q08204

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

The above full-time post is available 1st November 2025 on a fixed term basis until the 31st October 2028.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Prof Darren Croft. This NERC-funded post, in collaboration with Dr Samuel Ellis at the University of Exeter and Prof Daniel Franks at the University of York, and Dr Michael Wiess at the Center for Whale Research (USA) is available from 1st November 2025 for a period of three years. The successful applicant will join a collaborative team exploring how information access shapes social dynamics in resident killer whales. This project takes advantage of a unique 50-year dataset on the critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales to investigate how individuals adjust their social relationships in response to changing prey availability, partner loss, and the distribution of ecological knowledge within social groups.

The PDRA will play a central role in delivering the project, working closely with the Center for Whale Research (USA) and other partners. Responsibilities will include coordinating and conducting advanced analyses of long-term behavioural and ecological data, integrating diverse datasets, and testing predictions about the drivers and consequences of social and ecological dynamics. The postholder will also contribute to project meetings, support collaborations, and prepare high-impact manuscripts for publication.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the interface of behavioural ecology, conservation, and data science, addressing fundamental questions about social behaviour while generating insights directly relevant to the conservation of an iconic endangered species.

About you

The successful applicant will hold a PhD (or equivalent qualification/experience) in behavioural ecology, animal behaviour, conservation biology, or a related discipline. They will have specialist knowledge and quantitative skills to design and implement advanced research programmes, analyse complex datasets, and develop innovative methodologies.

The successful applicant will be able to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multi-institutional team, supervise the work of others, and take on leadership responsibilities where appropriate. They will have excellent communication skills, with the ability to present research findings clearly in oral, written, and electronic formats.

The successful applicant will be motivated, adaptable, and committed to producing high-quality research that advances our understanding of animal social behaviour and contributes directly to the conservation of an endangered species.

Please ensure you read the 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 2024). 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 Darren Croft, Professor of Animal Behaviour, e-mail D.P.Croft@exeter.ac.uk