Job details
- Salary: The starting salary will be from £34,610 on Grade E, 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: 05/01/2026
- Job reference: Q11102
- Attachments: Job_description_Q11102.pdf
Job description
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
This new full-time post is available from 1 April 2026 on a fixed term basis until 31 March 2029.
This role may be subject to additional background screening.
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 Associate to support the work of Prof Darren Croft. This NERC-funded post, in collaboration with Dr Samuel Ellis at the University of Exeter, Prof Rufus Johnstone at the University of Cambridge, and Dr Michael Weiss at the Center for Whale Research (USA), is available from 1 April 2026 for a period of three years. The successful applicant will join a collaborative interdisciplinary team investigating the evolution of social ageing across mammals, with a particular focus on the critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales. This project will use a unique 50-year dataset on this population, alongside comparative data from other mammalian societies, to understand how and why patterns of social connectedness change with age, and to develop and test an adaptive framework for social ageing.
The PDRA will play a central role in delivering the project, working closely with the Center for Whale Research (USA) and other partners. Responsibilities will include: (1) develop and apply statistical models to test hypotheses about how individuals allocate social effort across the lifespan, and how these patterns are shaped by kinship structure, sex, and life-history strategy; (2) integrate long-term demographic and social network data to quantify patterns of social ageing within and between individuals; (3) compare empirical findings with theoretical predictions from models of adaptive social investment and social aging in killer whales and other species; (4) interpret the implications of social ageing for population resilience and conservation of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales; and (5) disseminate results through high-impact academic publications, conference presentations, and public engagement related to ageing, sociality, and conservation.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the interface of evolutionary ecology, ageing, and data science, addressing fundamental questions about the evolution of social behaviour while providing insights directly relevant to the conservation and resilience of an iconic, endangered population.
About you
The successful applicant will hold a PhD (or equivalent qualification/experience) in behavioural ecology, animal behaviour, conservation biology, or a related discipline. They will have specialist knowledge and quantitative skills to design and implement advanced research programmes, analyse complex datasets, and develop innovative methodologies.
The successful applicant will be able to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multi-institutional team, supervise the work of others, and take on leadership responsibilities where appropriate. They will have excellent communication skills, with the ability to present research findings clearly in oral, written, and electronic formats.
The successful applicant will be motivated, adaptable, and committed to producing high-quality research that advances our understanding of animal social behaviour and contributes directly to the conservation of an endangered species.
Please ensure you read the Job Description 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 Darren Croft, Professor of Animal Behaviour, e-mail D.P.Croft@exeter.ac.uk
