Postdoctoral Research Fellow

University of Exeter - Environment, Science and Economy

Placed On: 19th March 2026
Closes: 29th April 2026
Job Ref: S05077

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join Past to Future, Toward Fully Paleo-Informed Future Climate Projections, an ambitious Horizon Europe-funded project addressing one of the central challenges in climate science: how insights from Earth’s warm past climate can improve confidence in future climate projections. This position is available immediately. The successful applicant will undertake research at the interface of past and future climates, using both conceptual and state-of-the-art global climate models to explore the sensitivity of the climate system to key, but poorly understood, physical processes and parameterisations. At Exeter, the work will focus on understanding how processes such as clouds and convection, ocean heat transport, and continental configuration influence climate sensitivity and stability, and on assessing the extent to which warm past climates (including the Eocene and Pliocene) can serve as meaningful analogues for future change.

The project forms part of a large, vibrant international collaboration involving leading institutions across the UK including the Met Office, which is also based in Exeter, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and beyond, offering extensive opportunities for scientific exchange and collaboration. There is substantial scope for the research fellow to shape the direction of the work and to develop their own research ideas within the project framework. The successful candidate will be based in Exeter and work closely with Professor Hugo Lambert and Professor Geoffrey Vallis, while interacting regularly with researchers across the wider Past‑to‑Future consortium.

About you

We are looking for a curious and motivated researcher who is keen to develop their skills in climate science and contribute to an internationally collaborative research project. The successful applicant will be supported to develop research objectives, projects and proposals, and to present their work at conferences and other events (Grades E & F). At Grade F, the postholder will also contribute to identifying sources of research funding and to the process of securing external funding.

Applicants will hold a PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a relevant quantitative discipline, such as climate science, physics, engineering or mathematics. Candidates with a background in physics, engineering, mathematics or a closely related field are strongly encouraged to apply, even if they do not yet have direct experience in climate science. We are particularly keen to support motivated researchers who wish to develop expertise in climate science, and tailored training and mentoring will be provided. We especially welcome applications from candidates who are enthusiastic about relocating to Exeter and building their research career here. This role is well suited to researchers who are eager to learn new approaches, work collaboratively (Grades E & F), and develop long-term expertise in climate science within a supportive research environment at Exeter. At Grade F, the postholder may also be expected to supervise others and take on a team leadership role as appropriate.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Hugo Lambert for an informal discussion, particularly if they are considering a transition into climate science or are unsure whether their background fits the role.

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

Further information

For further information please contact Hugo Lambert, e-mail f.h.lambert@exeter.ac.uk or telephone (01392) 724020.