Postdoctoral Research Fellow at University of Exeter

This full-time post is available on a fixed-term basis from 28 April 2025 to 13 January 2027.

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

The post
The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to participate in research focused on nature restoration and rewilding projects in farming landscapes in Cornwall. The successful candidate will undertake qualitative and quantitative research into the relationship and trade-offs between food production and nature restoration, understanding the different roles of farming and other businesses, policymakers and civil society organisations, such as nature conservation groups – as well as nonhuman species.

The post will include working alongside senior academics to develop and successfully deliver research projects. Focused on rewilding and nature restoration projects in farming landscapes in Cornwall (UK), the successful candidate will work within an interdisciplinary research environment to collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data. The candidate will also help secure additional funding for the project, write academic publications and impact reports. Excellent science communication skills are required to interact with a variety of stakeholders in business, policymaking and civil society. Interdisciplinary research skills are required as well as an appreciation of the complex relations between the human and non-human world.

About you
The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in the interdisciplinary area of environmental sustainability 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 work with interdisciplinary and mixed-method research approaches, showing an appreciation of the complex relation between human and nonhuman worlds. The successful candidate will also be able to communicate and engage effectively with a range of non-academic stakeholders, leading impact-focused events.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification (available on the university’s website, accessed by the ‘Apply’ button) 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 Cornwall.

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.

Further information
For further information please contact Prof Steffen Boehm by emailing s.boehm@exeter.ac.uk.