University of Exeter
3 days ago
Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow in the Evolution of Intergroup Conflict in Animal Societies University of Exeter in United Kingdom
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Evolutionary Biology
Funding
Full-time ERC Advanced Grant, UKRI-funded fixed-term post from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2029. Starting salary is £35,302 on Grade E for the Research Associate level or £44,352 on Grade F for the Research Fellow level, depending on qualifications and experience. The post is funded as employment; no separate tuition or student stipend is specified.
Deadline
Dec 2, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Exeter
Apply for this position
Keywords
Suggested positions
About this position
The University of Exeter is recruiting a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to study the evolution of intergroup conflict in animal societies.
The UKRI-funded ERC Advanced Grant project uses the basal termite Zootermopsis angusticollis as a model system. The successful researcher will investigate how conflict between groups influences individual and colony social behaviour, development and life history through controlled laboratory experiments, fieldwork, advanced tracking technology and theoretical modelling.
The role is based in the University of Exeter’s laboratory in Cornwall, United Kingdom, with short research visits to field sites in the Santa Cruz area of California, USA. The researcher will join a multi-institutional team in the UK and Germany working on behavioural ecology, collective behaviour, evolutionary biology and social evolution.
Associate-level applicants should hold or be nearing completion of a relevant PhD, or have equivalent experience, together with laboratory and/or field experiment experience, statistical and IT skills, and the ability to communicate research findings and contribute to proposals. Fellow-level applicants should hold a relevant PhD or equivalent, demonstrate specialist expertise in behavioural ecology, collective behaviour or evolutionary biology, and be able to develop research programmes, supervise others and contribute to funding activity.
The fixed-term appointment runs from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2029. Salary starts at £35,302 for the Associate level or £44,352 for the Fellow level. Applications close at 23:59 on 2 December 2026.
Funding details
Full-time ERC Advanced Grant, UKRI-funded fixed-term post from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2029. Starting salary is £35,302 on Grade E for the Research Associate level or £44,352 on Grade F for the Research Fellow level, depending on qualifications and experience. The post is funded as employment; no separate tuition or student stipend is specified.
What's required
For the Postdoctoral Research Associate level, applicants must hold or be nearing completion of a relevant PhD, or have equivalent qualifications or experience in a related field; demonstrate knowledge of the discipline and research methods; work collaboratively; have good statistical and IT skills; and have familiarity or experience with laboratory and/or field experiments. Associate applicants should be able to present research outcomes, communicate complex information, and prepare proposals and external funding applications. For the Postdoctoral Research Fellow level, applicants must hold a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification or experience; be a nationally recognised authority in behavioural ecology, collective behaviour or evolutionary biology; possess specialist knowledge sufficient to develop research programmes and methodologies; work collaboratively; supervise others and act as team leader when required; and have good statistical and IT skills plus laboratory and/or field experiment experience. All applicants must undertake short research periods at field sites in the Santa Cruz area, California, USA.
How to apply
Apply through the University of Exeter Careers vacancy page using the Apply button before 23:59 on 2 December 2026. For recruitment-process adjustments, contact [email protected]; for role-related queries, contact Dr Faye Thompson at [email protected].
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.