Postdoctoral Research Associate​/Fellow

Salary

The starting salary for a PDRA will be from £34,610 on Grade (E) depending on qualifications and experience. The starting salary for a PDRF will be from £43,482 on Grade (F) depending on qualifications and experience.

36.5 hours per week.

Generous holiday allowances, flexible working, pension scheme and relocation package (if applicable).

Research

16/02/2026

Q13294

This new full‑time post is available from 1st July 2026 on a fixed‑term basis until 30th September 2029. The post is funded by a UKRI‑EPSRC project, with additional project investigators based at the University of St. Andrews. The Faculty wishes to recruit an experienced and independent Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to work in the group of Prof. J. Anders on a funded EPSRC research project entitled "Good Enough Prediction Of Realistic Open Quantum System Dynamics For Magnetism, Transport and Chemical Reactions".

The successful candidate will investigate the dynamics of systems that are strongly coupled to bath(s), giving rise to non‑Markovian effects that can be observed in experiments. The research goal is to go beyond highly efficient classical modelling of such dynamics and include quantum aspects in a cost‑effective way, for example by extending the Landau‑Lifschitz‑Gilbert equation to study spin dynamics problems involving thousands of interacting spins.

The post is available from 1st July 2026 (negotiable) and will be based at Streatham Campus, Exeter. Hybrid working and/or part‑time arrangements can be discussed. The Fellow will also collaborate closely with other investigators on the grant, Prof Brendon Lovett and Prof Jonathan Keeling at the University of St. Andrews, as well as the postdoc based there. Applications to both postdoc positions, at Exeter and rews, are welcome.

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

Applicants should possess, or imminently complete, a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field. The successful applicant will be a recognised researcher in open quantum systems, quantum information or quantum optics, with sufficient specialist knowledge to develop research programmes and methodologies. They will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required.

Independent identification of research questions, analytical work supported by numerical simulations coded e.g. in Python, and presentation of work in written notes, manuscripts and external presentations are expected.

• Freedom (and support) to pursue intellectual interests and work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research.
• Support teams that understand University‑wide research and teaching goals and partner with academics accordingly.
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with 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 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 Devon.

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. We are a Disability Confident employer and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. We are proud supporters of gender equality (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and other inclusive frameworks.

For further information please contact Prof J. Anders by e‑mail. The closing date for applications is 27th March 2026 at 23:59. Interviews are expected to take place in early April 2026.