Barbara Tschirren

The Wild Microbiome Lab at the University of Exeter, led by Xav Harrison, is offering several fully funded PhD opportunities for 2026 in wildlife disease ecology. The lab investigates how microbes influence animal health, focusing on the interactions between host microbiomes and pathogens in wildlife, including amphibians and mammals. Projects include studying microbiome-pathogen relationships in European badgers, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) dynamics in wild baboons and gamebirds, and upcoming research on AMR in migratory birds. These projects involve interdisciplinary collaboration, fieldwork in locations such as South Africa, Iceland, and the UK, and advanced molecular and statistical techniques. Applicants should have strong fieldwork and quantitative skills, experience with molecular ecology, and an interest in wildlife disease and One Health frameworks. All positions are fully funded by the BBSRC SWBIO DTP, covering tuition and stipend. The application deadline is December 3, 2024. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the lead supervisor before applying and to review project details on the lab website.

University of Exeter is recruiting 2 Postdoctoral Research Associates / Fellows for a NERC Large Grant project in evolutionary genomics , host-pathogen interactions , and the evolutionary ecology of senescence . The project uses one of the world’s most comprehensive wildlife disease datasets: a 50-year longitudinal study of European badgers and bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in the UK. The research integrates infection history, life-history traits, behaviour, movement, physiology, immunology, fitness outcomes, and whole-genome sequencing data from over 2,500 individuals. The postdoctoral researchers will join an interdisciplinary team spanning the University of Exeter, University of Sheffield, University of Edinburgh, and partners including APHA, DEFRA, and the Office for Environmental Protection. The base is the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall, offering a collaborative environment and strong career development support. This is a research job opening rather than a degree studentship. The positions are for 4 years and 3.5 years respectively, with salaries starting from £36,636–£39,906 for PDRA and £43,482–£48,822 for PDRF. Applicants should review the Person Specification in the vacancy adverts and explain clearly how they meet the criteria. The application deadline is 30 June 2026 , with interviews expected in July/August 2026 online. Start date is 1 October 2026, with some flexibility.

Postdoctoral Researcher in Disease Ecology & Nature-Based Solutions at the University of Exeter (Cornwall campus, United Kingdom), working with the UKRI Net Positive Centre and the Centre for Ecology and Conservation . This postdoc sits at the intersection of disease ecology , nature-based solutions , urban re-greening , resilient cities , climate change , land-use change , and biodiversity loss and recovery . The successful candidate will focus on ticks and tick-borne diseases and use innovative ecological modelling approaches to study how urban greening interventions may affect ecological communities, vector populations, pathogen prevalence, and disease risk. Applicants should have a PhD in disease ecology, ecology, epidemiology, or a related field, plus strong quantitative skills, experience with complex ecological datasets, and a strong publication record. Experience with spatial analyses , GIS , Bayesian statistical approaches , and/or Structural Equation Modelling is a plus. For more information, contact Camille Bonneaud ( c.bonneaud@exeter.ac.uk ) or Barbara Tschirren ( b.tschirren@exeter.ac.uk ). Apply through the linked application portal and address the essential and desirable criteria in your application. Application deadline: 28 Sept 2026.