Postdoctoral Research Fellow

University of Exeter - Environment, Science and Economy Faculty

Placed On: 13th November 2025

Closes: 3rd December 2025

Job Ref: Q09867

This new full-time post is available from January 2026 on a fixed term basis until December 2028

The Post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the Tissue Biomechanics and Mechanobiology Group led by Associate Professor Junning Chen, working on collagen micromechanics in disease and tissue degeneration. This full-time post is available from immediately on a fixed term basis for three years. The successful applicant will join a wider research programme aimed at understanding how collagen ultrastructure governs tissue mechanical function, and how its disorganisation contributes to disease initiation and progression.

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 be able to apply a range of imaging and mechanical characterisation techniques, prepare and handle biological tissues and biomaterials, and use computational modelling or algorithmic approaches to establish the structure–mechanics–function relationships of biomaterials.

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

The University of Exeter

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.

Benefits

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• 39 days leave per year
• options for flexible working
• numerous discounts at leading retailers
• onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
• sector leading policies 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
• stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England

Further information

For further information please contact Prof. Junning Chen, e-mail j.chen3@exeter.ac.uk.

Interviews are expected to take place in two weeks after the closing date.