Job Description

Salary

The starting salary will be from 43,482 on Grade F34, 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

12/01/2026

Job reference

Q13045

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

The above full-time (1.0FTE) post is available from 1st April 2026 until 31st March 2029 on a fixed-term basis, within the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy.

The post

We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the BBSRC-funded sLoLa (strategic Longer and Larger grant) project "CircadiAgeing: Clock excitability, circadian rhythms and healthy ageing". The CircadiAgeing project explores how disruptions in circadian rhythms, the natural 24-hour cycles of physiological and behavioural patterns, contribute to ageing and related health issues. This project is in partnership with the University of Bristol, King's College London, University of Manchester and Imperial College.

This role involves computational modelling and experimental data analysis, integrating mathematical models of clock neurons and populations with in-vitro and in-vivo electrophysiology and populations' activity data to gain mechanistic insight into how disruptions in circadian rhythms, the natural 24-hour cycles of physiological and behavioural patterns, contribute to ageing and related health issues. Focusing on both the well-known molecular clock and the less understood membrane-based mechanisms that mediate daily changes in cell excitability, this crucial project aims to uncover how these clocks weaken synergistically with age, impacting our overall health.

About you

Applicants should hold a relevant PhD in mathematics or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant will have an extensive knowledge of dynamical systems, computational neuroscience and data science. In addition, we expect the candidate to have:

Experience of interdisciplinary collaboration A collaborative mindset, clear communication skills, and enthusiasm for scientific discovery. The ability to work independently and familiarity with recent relevant scientific literature. Excellent programming skills in at least one of the following (Python, MATLAB, Julia).

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).

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 Prof Krasimira Tsaneva, email k.tsaneva-atanasova@exeter.ac.uk.

The closing date for completed applications is 1st February 2026 at midnight. Interviews are expected to take place on w/c 16th or 23rd February 2026.