Postdoctoral Research Associate / Fellow

Postdoctoral Research Associate / Fellow 

This European Research Council funded full-time post is available from 1 February 2027 till 31 January 2030, in the first instance. In line with the University’s fair employment for all principles, any further funding opportunities identified will be reviewed and discussed during the contract.

 The starting salary will be from £35,302 on Grade E for the Postdoctoral Research Associate level and from £44,352 on Grade F for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow level, depending on knowledge, skills and experience.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.
The Role

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow to join Dr Rachael Miller (Harrison)'s “Miller Cognition and Conservation Group” in Penryn, Cornwall. The successful applicant will work with Dr Miller (the Principal Investigator) on her ERC Starting Grant Project: "Avian Minds: Investigating the Evolution of Executive Function". 

The post will include primarily captive avian cognitive and behavioural focussed research, international collaborations and multi-site testing, research project management and administration, co-supervision of students and junior researchers, and contributing to project impact, including applying Open Science and Big-Team Science principles and practices.

About You

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

Further information Please contact Dr Rachael Miller (Harrison), [email protected] (www.drrachaelmiller.com)

Postdoctoral Research Associate: 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.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow: The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or an equivalent qualification/experience in comparative psychology, cognitive biology or a related field of study. They will be able to demonstrate sufficient specialist knowledge (Associate) or be a nationally recognised authority (Fellow) in the discipline, research methods and techniques to work within (Associate) or develop (Fellow) established research programmes.

Applicants will be able to demonstrate interest and expertise in avian cognition and behaviour research, using experiments and/or observations, in captive (lab/ zoo) settings, ideally with both automated and non-automated testing approaches. Applicants should demonstrate experience of conducting and completing research from idea conception to publication and presentations, with experience in project management and statistical analysis. They should demonstrate excellent communication, teamwork and collaboration skills, and enthusiasm for Open Science and Big-Team Science research. Desirable skills include: knowledge of analytical tools (e.g. mixed modelling), zoo/ industry experience, and knowledge of Open Science practices.