Research Fellow

Date: 28 Oct 2026

Location: COVENTRY, GB, CV4 7AL

Company: University of Warwick

Job Title: Research Fellow

Reference:  520             

Department: Mathematics

Contract Type: Fixed-term contract

Fixed Term End Date: 12 October 2029

Hours: Full-time (1.0 FTE)

Closing Date: Wednesday 11 November 2026, 11:59pm (UK)                        

Full time Salary Range: £36,320.00 - £46,970.00 per annum

About the Role

3 Year Fixed Term Position

 

This is an exciting opportunity to be involved with a pan-European project working on the containment and control of key plant pathogens/pests. The role requires the ability to generate detailed mechanistic models, to develop highly efficient code to simulate spatio-temporal spread and control, to fit such models to data and to consider robust and effective control strategies.


The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with world-leading leading mathematical modellers, plant scientists and practical pest managers from across Europe and to help influence policy.


There is considerable scope to develop and extend a range of models in a number of novel directions.

 

Informal enquiries to be sent to Professor Matt Keeling - m.j.keeling@warwick.ac.uk

 

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description (link here). 

 

About You

Candidates need to have a strong quantitative and computational background and ideally experience with epidemiological modelling. The successful candidate will need to be able to develop novel models (or extend existing models) to capture the know biology of different invasive pests, and to develop highly efficient code that can be incorporated into user-friendly platforms. Strong communication skills are also important, as the successful candidate will need to interact with academics and stakeholders from a variety of disciplines.

 

Experience with handling complex data and fitting mathematical models to data would be an advantage. An interest in plant pests and diseases, or a willingness to learn, would also be helpful. An ideal candidate would also have experience of working in a team environment, as well as being able to develop their own ideas.



If you have not yet been awarded your PhD but are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant at the top of level 5 within the University grade structure. Upon successful award of your PhD and evidence of this fact, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of the level 6 of the University grade structure.

About the Department

The post will be located in the Zeeman (SBIDER) Institute, but will formally be based in the Warwick Mathematics Institute and the School of Life Sciences – given the highly interdisciplinary nature of the work. All three are internationally recognised for their pioneering research, and their commitment to training the next generation of talented researchers.

 

Zeeman (SBIDER) Institute

For further information about the Zeeman Institute please see our website at

https://warwick.ac.uk/SBIDER

Mathematics Institute

For further information about Warwick Mathematics Institute please see our website at

https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/maths/

School of Life Sciences

For further information about the School of Life Sciences please see our website at

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci

 

We believe that collegiality, openness, inclusivity and diversity are essential for an excellent research and teaching environment. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all groups with protected characteristics traditionally under-represented in STEM fields. As part of our ongoing commitment to addressing gender equality under the Athena Swan charter mark, we would particularly encourage and welcome applications from female academics.

How to Apply

To apply please complete your essential personal details and attach a CV and cover letter by the closing date stated. 

 

The application should include the following documents: CV, a list of publications and a short research statement outlining interests and accomplishments.

 

Please ensure your CV includes your most recent employment experience along with any additional relevant experience and education history.

 

Your cover letter should detail your motivation for applying for the role as well as detailing how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.   

 

The interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed. 

 

We will provide you with a great range of benefits, which include an attractive pension scheme, a generous holiday allowance plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. We offer a generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy, and onsite childcare facilities.

 

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer you access to flexible working, for more information click here.

 

We are proud to say that we are a Living Wage employer.

 

If you are considering relocating to the UK, read our Relocation Guide to find out more about what Warwick has to offer and what might be involved in the process.

 

Warwick is committed to building an organisation of mutual respect and dignity, promoting a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive working and learning environment.  We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued.  Where possible, we go beyond legislation to provide a place where everyone can thrive, supporting all staff to achieve their full potential. We aspire to remove economic, social, and cultural barriers that may otherwise prevent people from succeeding.

 

We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all communities regardless of culture, background, age, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion/belief, or sexual or romantic orientation. To find out more about our social inclusion work at Warwick visit our webpages here.

 

The University currently holds a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award, Athena Swan Sliver Award and a Disability Smart Bronze Award. Further information on all of the University's Awards and Accreditations can be found here. The University of Warwick is also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

 

Right to Work in the UK

If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.