Graduate Research Assistant

University of Exeter - Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

Salary Details
The starting salary will be from £33,951 on Grade E, depending on qualifications and experience.

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

The above full-time (1.0 FTE) post is immediately available until 31st July 2026 on a fixed-term basis, within the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy.

The post
The Faculty wishes to recruit a Graduate Research Assistant to support the work of Prof Angela Gallego-Sala. This ERC funded post is available immediately until 31st July 2026, as a full-time position on a fixed-term basis. The successful applicant will be part of a project entitled: “TroPeaCC: Tropical peatlands and the Carbon Cycle”. This is a project investigating carbon cycling in tropical peatlands, you will be contributing data to understand their past histories and also how they may be affected by climate change.

The posts will mainly include laboratory duties, including the subsampling, analysis and dating of peat cores collected in tropical regions. It may also involve some other work, such as data analysis and some basic modelling. You will need to keep records of all of the data produced in the laboratory/field and you may need to contribute to writing reports.

About you
The successful applicant will be able to work in the laboratory, 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 Environmental Sciences, Geography or a related discipline and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of research methods and techniques to work within the TroPeaCC project. Applicants will be able to keep accurate records, be able to organise their work, be computer literate, have good analytical skills, good communication abilities l and will be able to liaise and work closely with other colleagues.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role, by clicking on the 'apply' button.

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.

Further Information
If you have questions, please contact Angela Gallego-Sala, e-mail a.gallego-sala@exeter.ac.uk.

The closing date for completed applications is 12th January 2026 at midnight. Interviews are expected to take place shortly after the closing date.