Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Overview

The University of Exeter is offering a full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellow position within the Faculty of Environment, Science & Economy. This role is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and is part of the Ocean Carbon Soundscapes project, which uses novel acoustic methods and artificial intelligence to understand the variability of ocean carbon fluxes. The position is available starting from 1st December 2026, with a latest possible start date of 1st April 2027, and runs on a fixed-term basis for 12 months.

The successful candidate will join a team of ocean and artificial intelligence scientists from the University of Exeter, the British Antarctic Survey, and the National Oceanography Center Southampton. Responsibilities include analyzing new acoustic-based ocean carbon flux datasets to understand drivers of sub-daily changes in sinking carbon, leading a publication on the research, helping collate environmental datasets, supporting AI-based analysis, and contributing to a Phase-Two funding proposal.

Who can apply

Applicants must hold a relevant PhD or possess an equivalent qualification or experience in a related field of study. Candidates require a background in physical or biogeochemical oceanography, or working with remote sensing or acoustic datasets. They should be a nationally recognised authority in oceanography or acoustics and possess specialist knowledge to develop research programmes and methodologies. Proficiency in handling large datasets, coding such as Matlab or Python, and strong quantitative skills are necessary. Candidates must also have experience in one or more areas including ocean dynamics, ocean biogeochemistry or carbon cycles, ocean bio-physical interactions, ocean remote sensing data, or working with acoustic backscatter data.

What you get

The salary for this position starts from £44,352 per annum on Grade F, depending on knowledge, skills, and experience. The position operates on a hybrid work arrangement.

Requirements

Candidates must be able to develop research objectives, projects, and proposals, identify funding sources, contribute to securing funds, and make presentations at conferences and events. Applicants should be able to work collaboratively, supervise others, and act as a team leader. Evidence of paper writing, presentation of results, and good communication skills are advantageous. The role calls for someone who is motivated, creative, independent, and willing to learn new skills while engaging with a supportive broader team.

Key dates

The closing date for applications is 2026-12-07. The post is available from 1st December 2026, with a latest possible start date of 1st April 2027.