Job Description

Salary

The starting salary will be from 42,882 on Grade F, 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

23/07/2025

Job reference

Q05024

Environment, Science and Economy

This new full-time post is available on a fixed term basis at either Associate or Fellow level for up to three years.

Summary of the role

As climate change accelerates and society fails to take urgent action, Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) is increasingly being discussed as a potential emergency response to reduce climate risks. However, the potential for SRM to cause harm--possibly greater than the benefits it offers--makes it imperative that we undertake careful, objective analysis of its possible impacts. This analysis must be grounded in cutting-edge Earth System modelling.

We are recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow (up to three years) to investigate the potential impacts of Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB) using a state-of-the-art Earth system models(UKESM). We are looking for someone experienced in analysing output from large, complex climate models or Earth system datasets, and who is experienced in or keen to develop skills in designing and running novel climate model simulations--with the support of a world-leading team.

You will work closely with colleagues at the University of Exeter, the Met Office Hadley Centre, UK and international partners. The role will focus on evaluating how different SRM strategies and deployment scenarios affect key aspects of the Earth System, such as ENSO, AMOC, sea ice, marine ecosystems, rainforests and crops. While prior expertise in all of these areas is not expected, you should have the ability to think clearly and logically through complex, interconnected systems and to develop a strong understanding of new components as needed.

This position is funded by NERC under the MACLOUD project, supervised by Prof Jim Haywood and Prof Paul Halloran.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in shaping scientific understanding--and policy decisions--on one of the most controversial and high-stakes topics in climate science.

Grade F

: You will have a PhD (or equivalent) in a quantitative scientific field (e.g. climate science, meteorology, physics, maths, or computer science), be a nationally recognised authority in areas of climate or Earth system research, and have the ability to lead or contribute to interdisciplinary collaborations. You must have proven abilities in the analysis of large, complex environment datasets and/or model output. Experience with UKESM1 or similar models, advanced data analysis and machine learning, would be advantageous.

Grade E

: You will be near completion of a relevant PhD or have equivalent research experience, and be able to demonstrate strong analytical skills and a sound grasp of climate processes. You should be motivated to engage with new modelling tools and scientific challenges, with support from the project team.

Please ensure you read the and Person Specification for full details of this role.

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.

Benefits

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

39 days leave per year options for flexible working numerous discounts at leading retailers onsite gyms on all of our campus' and a cycle to work scheme sector leading policies 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 stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England

Further information

Please contact Paul Halloran, p.halloran@exeter.ac.uk