Postdoctoral Research Fellow

**Salary**

The starting salary will be from £43,482 on Grade F, depending on qualifications and experience.

**Contractual hours**

36.5

**Package**

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

**Job category/type**

Research

**Date posted**

27/02/2026

**Job reference**

Q13864

**Environment, Science and Economy faculty**

This new full-time post is available from 1 April on a fixed term basis until March 2029.

**The post**

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to support the work of Professor R. J. Hicken. This Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded post is available from 01 April 2026. The successful applicant will investigate all optical switching processes in candidate multilayered data storage media.

The post will include measurement of novel multilayered magnetic materials by a variety of optical measurement techniques. This will include wide field Kerr microscopy of the final state induced by an ultrafast laser pulse, and time resolved beam scanning microscopy in a high field environment with the use of a micro-coil pulse generator as a reset mechanism. Additional magnetotransport measurements of Hall bar samples will be performed within the microscopes. Some adaptation of existing apparatus will be carried out.

**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 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 perform ultrafast optical measurements, integrate items of advanced instrumentation, and interpret time resolved measurements of magnetic materials by drawing upon a deep understanding of quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, and condensed matter physics,including magnetic materials and spintronics.

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

**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***

**The University of Exeter**

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

**Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment**

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.

**Further information**

For further information please contact Professor R. J. Hicken, e-mail r.j.hicken@exeter.ac.uk or telephone (01392) 724153.