Job Description

Salary

The starting salary will be from 43,482 up to 53,301 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

19/12/2025

Job reference

Q12466

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to participate in the investigation of the developmental underpinnings of plant surface adaptations in the Mechanical Ecology Lab of Dr Ulrike Bauer. This Leverhulme Trust-funded post is available from 16 February 2026 until 31 August 2028.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.

The successful applicant will conduct research on the development, micromorphology, anatomy and biochemical composition of leaf epidermal surfaces and cuticles, with the aim to understand how plants modify the wettability of their leaf surfaces.

The post will include:

Planning and conducting experiments, including the adaptation of existing methods for new experimental applications, and the development of new approaches. The acquisition, stewardship, quantitative analysis and critical evaluation and interpretation of data. Working closely with an interdisciplinary team within and beyond the host lab. Actively maintaining and extending collaborations. Preparing and presenting data in scientific publications, at conferences and public outreach events, and in weekly lab meetings. Contributing to the supervision of research students. Contributing to a safe, fair and enjoyable work environment. Contributing to the management of projects, budgets and the research team. Contributing to the acquisition of research funding and the recruitment of team members. Resolving problems of meeting research objectives and deadlines. Using bioimaging approaches (cryo-SEM, TEM, fluorescence and confocal microscopy) to resolve the cellular structure of the leaf epidermis and the ultrastructure of the cuticle across a spectrum of plant taxa. Characterisation of the chemical composition of biological materials using analytical chemistry (GC-MS), immuno-labelling, compound-specific histological stains and combined bioimaging and spectroscopy techniques (e.g. XPS, ToF-SIMS). Molecular lab work including sample preparation, staining, RNA extraction, purification and quality control, and visualisation of gene expression using in-situ hybridisations, using a broad range of non-model plant species. Transcriptome analysis using state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools and approaches.

About you

The successful applicant will be enthusiastic about working in a diverse, interdisciplinary team and be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information to a generalist scientific audience, orally, in writing and electronically, and help to prepare proposals and applications to external bodies. They will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals and identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD and possess significant experience in plant developmental biology and genetics. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in plant epidermal and cuticular structure and development 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 able to plan and conduct experiments that meet high standards of reproducibility and scientific rigour, choose, apply, modify or newly develop appropriate experimental methods and procedures, choose and apply statistical tests, and critically reflect on experimental outcomes. They will have a high level of scientific communication skills, evidenced by publications. The ideal applicant will have experience with a broad range of bioimaging methods including sample preparation and staining and an in-depth understanding of cell wall and cuticular biochemistry as well as the physical principles underpinning surface wetting.

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 Dr Ulrike Bauer, e-mail: u.bauer@exeter.ac.uk