Graduate Research Assistant

This new full-time post is available from February 2026 on a fixed term basis for 15 months. This position is pending approval of the grant funding.

The post involves conducting research on a NERC funded project titled "What determines the virome: ecology and the environment, evolution, or species history?" starting early 2026. The project will involve collecting a large sample of several thousand moths through field work covering >200 species, to look at the ecological and evolutionary predictors of the species’ viromes.

The successful applicant will be responsible for organising and carrying out field work, and then processing a large number of samples, and carrying out RNA extractions, together with a postdoctoral researcher, and supervised by the principal investigators Ben Longdon and Darren Obbard. The post will be based at the University of Exeter’s Cornwall campus in the internationally excellent Centre for Conservation and Ecology https://ecologyconservation.exeter.ac.uk/research/. The centre has a huge number of researchers working in evolution and ecology, including a large group of researchers working on host-parasite interactions and insect ecology and evolution, and provides an exciting and stimulating research environment.

Informal enquiries are encouraged to Prof Ben Longdon at b.longdon2@exeter.ac.uk and Prof Darren Obbard at darren.obbard@ed.ac.uk.

About you: The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies. Applicants will be educated to first degree level or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study or equivalent experience and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will work as a team with a post-doctoral researcher and fieldwork assistant, organise and run field work (requires driving around the UK), manage and process a large number of samples, carry out molecular work (RNA extractions). Experience in multiple of these areas is desirable, but training will be provided.

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.

The University of Exeter is an equal opportunity employer. We are officially recognised as a Disability Confident employer and an Athena Swan accredited institution. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented in the workforce.