Research Fellow (Postdoctoral) - School of Biosciences - 107397 - Grade 7

Position Details

School of Biosciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to January 2030

Closing date: 15th September 2026

UK and International travel may be required for this role

2 Positions available

Background

A Postdoctoral Research Fellow position is available in the research group of Prof. Carolina Rezaval at the University of Birmingham, UK. The successful candidate will investigate how the brain prioritises behaviour when animals face conflicting internal needs and changing environmental demands.

This position forms part of the Wellcome Trust Discovery Award programme “Decoding Competition in the Brain”. The programme is driven by recent advances revealing how neuromodulatory circuits dynamically reshape decision-making under conflict (Cazalé-Debat, Scheunemann et al., Nature 2024; Day & Rezaval, Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 2026),  and how competitive pressure reconfigures behavioural priorities (unpublished work). Using Drosophila melanogaster, we combine quantitative behavioural paradigms with neural circuit mapping, advanced genetics, two-photon functional imaging, and molecular approaches to uncover fundamental principles governing behavioural choice.

The post holder will be embedded within an exciting and interdisciplinary research programme involving multiple postdoctoral researchers and PhD students. The project will be flexible and shaped by the candidate’s interests and expertise, with scope to develop independent directions within the broader programme. The position is available for an initial period of three years, with the possibility of extension.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Conduct experiments, troubleshoot, and analyse data under Prof. Rezaval’s supervision to deliver on this Wellcome Trust research goals.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• First degree in Life Sciences/Biological Sciences/Genetics/Cell Biology/Neuroscience/Biochemistry or related disciplines, and either a PhD (near to completion) or equivalent research experience in one of such related disciplines
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Willingness to work in an international, competitive research environment
• Fluency in relevant techniques or methods, and ability to contribute to developing new ones, within the disciplines mentioned above (for example, behaviour, live calcium imaging, genetics, confocal, 2P microscopy, basic programming and/or molecular biology).
• Ability to manage resources efficiently and coordinate work with others
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Desirable

• Experience working with Drosophila, live calcium imaging, Matlab/Python programming and/or behaviour.
• A good publication record in neuroscience.

Informal enquiries to Carolina Rezaval, email: [email protected]

View our staff values and behaviours here

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.