Postdoctoral Research Associate

About The Role

PostdoctoralResearch Associate

This Wellcome Trust funded full-time post is available from August 2026 on a fixed term basis to cover a maternity leave until October 2027. 

The starting salary will be from £34,610 on Grade E, depending on knowledge, skills and experience. 

Please note that this role is subject to a DBS check. At the University of Exeter, we are committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. 

TheRole 
Health and Life Science Faculty 

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the work of Professor Ed Watkins in the delivery of the Wellcome Trust funded “Understanding the mechanisms driving the reduction of repetitive negative thought” project. The successful applicant will be supporting experimental studies to disentangle the active elements of rumination-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy, participatory research with people with lived experience and supporting a definitive clinical trial. 

The successful applicant will be able to develop relevant research objectives, projects and proposals; design, deliver and analyse experimental studies; engage with people with lived experience of poor mental health; prepare publications and reports, identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events. 

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 possess a relevant PhD (or nearing completion) or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will possess skills and experience in psychology or a related field of study. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a successful track record in clinically-relevant psychological research and have experience in therapy-relevant research. 

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role. 
Further information

Please contact Professor Ed Watkins, E.R.Watkins@exeter.ac.uk 

About Us

Transform Your Career and Help Shape a Greener, Healthier, and Fairer Future 

Join the University of Exeter, a top 200 Russel Group university (QS & THE World University Rankings 2025), excelling in teaching (triple Gold rating, TEF 2023) and leading groundbreaking research in the southwest of England. 

We are committed to understanding different cultures and perspectives, supporting diverse leadership, and striving for social justice. We encourage applications from all groups underrepresented in our community, including racially minoritised individuals and those with disabilities. 

You can read more about our current accreditations and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here, including our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. 

How we can help 

If you are considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch with us at hrhelpdesk@exeter.ac.uk. You can request reasonable adjustments within your application or by contacting us. You can also choose to be considered under our Disability Confident Scheme and find out here how this is managed during our recruitment process.